ATP Awards
The ATP Awards are annual honors presented by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) to recognize the season's most outstanding players, coaches, teams, and tournaments in men's professional tennis, with recipients determined through player votes, fan ballots, official rankings, and peer nominations.[1] Established alongside the ATP's formation in the early 1970s, these awards celebrate excellence across various categories, evolving over time to reflect key aspects of the sport such as performance, sportsmanship, humanitarian efforts, and event organization.[2] Key player-focused categories include the ATP No. 1 presented by PIF for the year-end singles world No. 1 and the ATP Doubles No. 1 presented by PIF for the top doubles team, both based on official ATP rankings; Comeback Player of the Year for significant recoveries, Most Improved Player of the Year for notable ranking gains, Newcomer of the Year for emerging talents, and Breakthrough of the Year for the biggest seasonal breakthrough, all selected by player votes except Breakthrough of the Year which is voted by the ATP No. 1 Club (as of 2025).[2] Additional honors recognize character and impact, such as the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for exemplary conduct on and off the court, voted by members of the ATP No. 1 Club (as of 2025), and the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for contributions to society beyond tennis, chosen by a panel including former winners.[2] Coaching excellence is highlighted through the ATP Coach of the Year, determined by player votes, and the Tim Gullikson Career Coach Award for lifetime achievements.[2] Fan engagement plays a central role in the Fans’ Favourite awards for the most popular singles player and doubles team, with voting open to the public via the ATP website.[3] Tournament accolades, voted on by players, encompass ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year, ATP 500 Tournament of the Year, ATP 250 Tournament of the Year, and ATP Challenger Tournaments of the Year, honoring the best events in their respective categories for organization, atmosphere, and player experience.[4] Notable past recipients include Jannik Sinner as 2024 Fans’ Favourite and ATP No. 1, Rafael Nadal for multiple Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Awards, and Indian Wells as a frequent Masters 1000 winner, underscoring the awards' role in spotlighting sustained excellence in professional tennis.[5][2]Overview
History
The ATP Awards were established in the early 1970s alongside the formation of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in 1972.[2] The inaugural Player of the Year award was presented in 1975 to Arthur Ashe.[6] Over time, categories expanded to include doubles, coaching, and character-based honors, with notable additions such as the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award in 1996 and the Fans' Favourite in 2000.[2] In 2025, updates included a new Breakthrough of the Year category and changes to selection methods for certain awards, such as involving ATP No. 1 Club members in choosing winners for the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award.[2]Selection Process
Winners of the ATP Awards are selected through a combination of methods depending on the category. Ranking-based awards, such as ATP No. 1 in singles and doubles, are determined by official year-end ATP rankings.[2] Many player and coach awards involve nominations by the International Tennis Writers' Association (ITWA), followed by votes from ATP players or peers. Fan-engaged categories like Fans' Favourite rely on public online ballots via the ATP website.[3] Humanitarian and special awards, including the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award, are chosen by expert panels or committees comprising former recipients and ATP officials.[2]Ranking-Based Awards
ATP Year-End World No. 1 (Singles)
The ATP Year-End World No. 1 (Singles) is an automatic award presented annually to the top-ranked male singles player at the conclusion of the tennis season, determined solely by the player's position in the PIF ATP Rankings.[7] This ranking is calculated based on the cumulative Pepperstone ATP Rankings points accumulated over the preceding 52 weeks from results in ATP-sanctioned tournaments.[8] The award recognizes consistent performance throughout the year without any voting or subjective input, distinguishing it as a merit-based honor rooted in objective metrics.[9] Points in the PIF ATP Rankings are awarded based on a player's achievement in various tournament categories, with higher-tier events offering greater rewards to reflect their prestige and difficulty. For instance, winning a Grand Slam tournament grants 2,000 points, while securing an ATP Masters 1000 title yields 1,000 points; these examples illustrate how major successes contribute significantly to a player's year-end standing.[8] Lower-tier events, such as ATP 500 tournaments, award 500 points to winners, ensuring that sustained excellence across the tour is rewarded, though the system emphasizes results from elite competitions.[8] This structure has remained largely consistent since the rankings' inception, promoting a competitive environment where players must balance participation and peak performance.[9] The award is formally presented during the ATP Awards ceremony, typically held in conjunction with the Nitto ATP Finals, where the recipient receives a dedicated trophy recognizing their achievement as ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF, a sponsorship introduced in 2023.[10] Introduced alongside the ATP computerised rankings in 1973, the honor has been bestowed on 20 different players over its history, as of 2025.[9] Novak Djokovic holds the record at eight finishes (2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023), Roger Federer with five (2004–2007, 2009), Pete Sampras with six (1993–1998), and Ivan Lendl with four (1983–1985, 1987).[9] Recent recipients include Carlos Alcaraz in 2022 and 2025, Jannik Sinner in 2024, underscoring the dominance of era-defining players.[11] While recipients often align with the Player of the Year award due to shared criteria of excellence, discrepancies have occurred in years of close competition.[5] Achieving year-end No. 1 status carries substantial impact, including automatic qualification advantages for prestigious events like the Nitto ATP Finals, where the top-ranked players secure entry and seeding priority.[12] This accolade also enhances a player's legacy, symbolizing supremacy in the sport and often correlating with strong showings in major championships, thereby influencing future opportunities in endorsements and tournament seeding.[7]ATP Doubles Year-End World No. 1
The ATP Doubles Year-End World No. 1 is an automatic award presented annually to the top-ranked doubles team at the conclusion of the tennis season, determined solely by their position in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings.[2] This ranking is calculated based on points accumulated over the preceding 52 weeks from results in ATP-sanctioned doubles events, similar to the singles system but focused on team performance.[8] The award recognizes consistent excellence in doubles without voting, emphasizing objective metrics.[13] Points are awarded analogously to singles, with Grand Slam doubles titles granting 2,000 points and ATP Masters 1000 doubles wins yielding 1,000 points, rewarding success in high-stakes team competitions.[8] The structure encourages balanced participation and peak performances across the tour.[8] Presented at the ATP Awards ceremony alongside the Nitto ATP Finals, recipients receive a trophy as ATP Doubles Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF, with sponsorship starting in 2023.[2] Introduced in 1973 with the rankings, it has been awarded to numerous teams, with Todd Woodbridge holding the individual record for most year-end No. 1 finishes at five (1991–1992, 1994, 1996–1997, partnering various players).[14] Notable multiple recipients include the Bryan brothers with four (2003, 2007, 2011, 2014). Recent winners include Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool in 2025, the first all-British team to achieve it.[15] This honor provides qualification benefits for events like the Nitto ATP Finals doubles draw and bolsters team legacies in the sport.[16]Progress and Development Awards
Most Improved Player of the Year
The Most Improved Player of the Year award recognizes an ATP Tour player who demonstrates the most significant enhancement in performance over a single season, highlighting substantial progress in rankings, match results, or overall gameplay.[2] This accolade underscores the dynamic nature of professional tennis, where rapid development can propel a player from relative obscurity to contention among the elite. Nominees are selected through a vote by the International Tennis Writers' Association (ITWA), after which the ATP players cast ballots to determine the winner, ensuring peer recognition of tangible growth.[17] Criteria for the award emphasize measurable advancements, such as dramatic ranking ascents—often 50 or more positions—or breakthroughs like securing first ATP titles and victories over top-ranked opponents. Evaluation goes beyond final standings to include statistical improvements, including higher win percentages, enhanced serve efficiency, or better return games, reflecting a holistic trajectory of development within the year.[17] Many recipients start the season outside the top 50 and achieve significant ranking gains, often ending in the top 20 or higher, though the award also honors breakthroughs by established rising stars.[2] Historically, the award has celebrated mid-tier players achieving breakthrough seasons, with notable examples including Andrey Rublev in 2020, who rose from No. 19 to No. 8 while winning five titles, and Aslan Karatsev in 2021, who surged from No. 114 to No. 15 after reaching the Australian Open semifinals as a qualifier.[2] More recently, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard claimed the 2024 honor after climbing from No. 206 to No. 31, capturing titles in Lyon and Basel, and notching five wins against Top 30 players.[18] Unlike the Comeback Player of the Year, which focuses on resurgence after prolonged setbacks, this award targets upward momentum from a stable but unremarkable baseline.[2]| Year | Winner | Key Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | Rose from No. 206 to No. 31; two ATP titles |
| 2023 | Jannik Sinner | Advanced to No. 4; semifinals at three majors and final at US Open |
| 2022 | Carlos Alcaraz | Debuted in top 5; US Open title |
| 2021 | Aslan Karatsev | From No. 114 to No. 15; Australian Open SF |
| 2020 | Andrey Rublev | From No. 19 to No. 8; five titles including ATP Finals |
Comeback Player of the Year
The Comeback Player of the Year award recognizes an ATP Tour player who has achieved a remarkable resurgence following a period of significant adversity, such as injury, illness, or prolonged absence from competition.[2] This accolade highlights stories of resilience, where established players overcome substantial obstacles to reclaim high-level performance, often marked by notable achievements like title wins or substantial ranking improvements after a hiatus.[19] Nominees for the award are selected through a vote by members of the International Tennis Writers' Association (ITWA), who identify candidates based on their compelling narratives of recovery and on-court results.[20] The winner is then determined by a vote among ATP players from this shortlist of typically three nominees, emphasizing peer recognition of the comeback's inspirational quality beyond mere statistics.[19] The award has been presented annually since 1979, with occasional gaps, such as from 1984 to 1988.[2] Criteria for the award focus on dramatic recoveries, including rebounds in rankings (e.g., 100+ positions) or securing multiple titles post-recovery, which demonstrate a return to elite contention.[19] For instance, in 2024, Matteo Berrettini earned the honor after missing six months due to ankle and abdominal injuries; he returned to win three ATP titles, including the Phoenix Challenger and Gstaad Open, propelling him back into the Top 50.[19] Similarly, in 2022, Borna Coric triumphed following an 18-month layoff from shoulder and elbow issues, highlighted by his Cincinnati Masters victory and a year-end Top 30 ranking.[21] In 2021, Mackenzie McDonald was awarded for rising 140 spots in the rankings—from No. 194 to No. 54—after recovering from 2019 hamstring surgery, with consistent results including a fourth-round US Open appearance.[22] Other prominent recipients include Novak Djokovic in 2018, who reclaimed the year-end No. 1 ranking after elbow surgery sidelined him for much of 2017, winning Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Masters en route; and Andy Murray in 2019, marking his return from hip resurfacing surgery with a semifinal run at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.[2] The award underscores mental and physical toughness, celebrating players whose comebacks inspire the tennis community and often feature narratives of personal growth amid challenges.[19]| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Matteo Berrettini |
| 2023 | Jan-Lennard Struff |
| 2022 | Borna Coric |
| 2021 | Mackenzie McDonald |
| 2020 | Vasek Pospisil |
| 2019 | Andy Murray |
| 2018 | Novak Djokovic |
| 2017 | Roger Federer |
| 2016 | Juan Martin del Potro |
| 2015 | Benoit Paire |
Newcomer of the Year
The Newcomer of the Year award recognizes the top #NextGenATP player who enters the ATP Top 100 for the first time during the season and makes the biggest impact on the tour, highlighting emerging talents aged 20 or under.[24] This accolade celebrates young players' rapid rise through strong performances, such as winning titles, deep runs in majors, or upsets against higher-ranked opponents, signaling future stardom in professional tennis. The winner is selected directly by ATP player votes, focusing on the most promising debutant in the Top 100.[2] Criteria emphasize breakthrough achievements for rookies in the Top 100, including first ATP titles, notable ranking jumps within the year, and consistent results against established players. The award targets players typically 18-20 years old making their professional breakthrough, distinguishing it from Most Improved by focusing on first-time entrants rather than ongoing development.[25] Historically, the award has spotlighted future stars, with examples including Carlos Alcaraz in 2020, who at age 17 reached the second round of the US Open and won his first Challenger title, and Jannik Sinner in 2019, who claimed his maiden ATP title in Sofia and ended the year at No. 78. More recently, Jakub Mensik won in 2024 after entering the Top 100 at age 19, winning his first ATP title in Basel, reaching the Australian Open fourth round, and upsetting Taylor Fritz at Wimbledon.[2][26]| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Jakub Mensik |
| 2023 | Arthur Fils |
| 2022 | Holger Rune |
| 2021 | Jenson Brooksby |
| 2020 | Carlos Alcaraz |
Coaching Awards
Coach of the Year
The ATP Coach of the Year award honors the coach who has made the most significant impact on a player's success during the season. It is determined by votes from ATP players.[2] Past winners include:- 2024: Michael Russell (Taylor Fritz)
- 2023: Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi (Jannik Sinner)
- 2022: Juan Carlos Ferrero (Carlos Alcaraz)
- 2021: Facundo Lugones (Cameron Norrie)
- 2020: Fernando Vicente (Andrey Rublev)
- 2019: Gilles Cervara (Daniil Medvedev)
- 2018: Marian Vajda (Novak Djokovic)
- 2017: Neville Godwin (Kevin Anderson)
- 2016: Magnus Norman (Stan Wawrinka)
Tim Gullikson Career Coach Award
The Tim Gullikson Career Coach Award recognizes a coach's lifetime achievements in tennis. It is named after Tim Gullikson, a notable coach and former player. The award is selected based on long-term contributions to players' careers.[2] Past winners include:- 2023: Jose Higueras
- 2020: Bob Brett
- 2019: Tony Roche