The ITF has announced its 2024 World Champions, highlighting both established figures and promising young talents. Among the most noteworthy names are Nicolai Budkov Kjaer from Norway and Emerson Jones from Australia, who ended the year as the No. 1 players in the junior boys’ and girls’ categories, respectively.
Budkov Kjaer made history as the first Norwegian World Champion following an exceptional season in the junior Grand Slams: he won Wimbledon, reached the final of the US Open, and advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Jones, just 16 years old, shone in major tournaments, capturing the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals title in Chengdu and reaching the finals of both the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
THE BEST IN SINGLES
Jannik Sinner from Italy and Iga Swiatek from Poland were named World Champions in the men’s and women’s singles categories. Sinner made history as the first Italian to receive this honor after a remarkable season, winning the Australian Open and the US Open, as well as leading Italy to its second consecutive Davis Cup title.
Swiatek, on the other hand, edged out Aryna Sabalenka to claim the recognition. At just 23, she won her fourth Roland Garros title and four WTA 1000 titles, along with a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
DOUBLES CHAMPIONS
Marcelo Arevalo from El Salvador and Mate Pavic from Croatia were named World Champions in men’s doubles after winning Roland Garros and three additional titles. This recognition is a milestone for El Salvador, while Pavic repeats the success he achieved in 2021.
In the women’s category, the Italian duo of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini stood out with their Olympic gold in Paris and their decisive role in Italy’s victory in the Billie Jean King Cup.
THE KINGS OF WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
In the wheelchair tennis categories, Tokito Oda from Japan and the Dutch pair of Diede De Groot and Sam Schroder were honored. Oda, at just 18 years old, became the youngest champion in history after winning gold in Paris 2024 and two Grand Slam titles. De Groot and Schroder also consolidated their dominance in their respective categories.
HOW THE CHAMPIONS ARE SELECTED
The ITF World Champions are chosen based on objective criteria, with a special emphasis on results in the Grand Slams, the Davis Cup, the Billie Jean King Cup, and the Olympic and Paralympic events.