ATP and WTA Finals: why the women’s event stood out this year
Jannik Sinner and Arina Sabalenka demonstrated incredible synchronicity throughout 2024, claiming titles at the Australian Open, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open, and both finishing the year as World No. 1. It seemed inevitable that they would also dominate the prestigious November ATP and WTA Finals. But did they? Let’s take a closer look at how the season concluded.
Jannik Sinner predictably claimed victory at the ATP Finals in Turin, defeating American Taylor Fritz with an identical scoreline to their group-stage match: 6:4, 6:4.
Moreover, Sinner became the first player since Ivan Lendl in 1986 to win the ATP Finals without dropping a set—a feat that highlights his dominance this season.
Only Carlos Alcaraz appeared capable of challenging the Italian at this tournament. Sinner’s season record stands at an incredible 70 wins and just three losses—all at the hands of the Spaniard. However, Alcaraz fell ill during the group stage and failed to advance, leaving the path clear for Sinner to triumph.
Sinner seems unstoppable, a formidable challenge for any player on tour. Few can decipher the Italian’s game well enough to defeat him. Yet, it’s worth noting that the doping case involving Sinner remains unresolved, as WADA has not yet delivered a verdict, casting a shadow over his stellar achievements.
Alexander Zverev, meanwhile, had a strong chance of reaching the final. The German displayed confidence throughout the tournament, but he continues to struggle against Taylor Fritz. Zverev, who has openly admitted the difficulty of playing against Fritz and Daniil Medvedev, has now lost four consecutive matches to the American this year.
Another recurring issue for Zverev is his mental fortitude. While he often looks solid and composed during sets, he falters in key moments. This pattern was evident in his semifinal clash, where the pressure got the better of him once again.
The women’s final at the WTA Finals ended with a surprise: Coco Gauff defeated Zheng Qinwen to claim the title. Neither the world No. 1 nor the world No. 2 reached the final. Iga Swiatek missed the tournament’s final months and recently changed her coach, while Aryna Sabalenka, in near-perfect form, was widely regarded as the favorite. However, Sabalenka fell to Gauff in straight sets, leaving many stunned.
The tournament also highlighted a growing trend: Sabalenka’s vulnerability on hard courts. Both Gauff and Elena Rybakina, who returned from a break, managed to defeat the Belarusian, showing that she can be challenged in her strongest conditions.
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek faced her own struggles. She was eliminated in the group stage after Czech Barbora Krejcikova pulled off a minor upset to secure a semifinal spot. Swiatek’s final group-stage win held no significance for the tournament outcome. The Pole needed Krejcikova to lose to Gauff in order to advance, but the Czech player held firm.
Krejcikova’s participation in the tournament also reignited debate about the selection rules for the WTA Finals. Under current regulations, a Grand Slam champion ranked within the top 20 is guaranteed a spot in the top 8. Krejcikova earned her place by unexpectedly winning Wimbledon this season, despite a less consistent performance throughout the year.
Zheng Qinwen has emerged as the breakout star of 2024. The 22-year-old Chinese player claimed the Olympic gold medal, won two WTA Tour titles, and reached two additional finals, both of which she lost to Sabalenka—at the Australian Open and the Wuhan Masters. Her rise cements her as a player to watch in the coming season.
The biggest questions for 2025: Can Sabalenka dominate hard courts the way Swiatek dominates clay? Will Gauff add another Slam to her collection? And who will claim the title at the most unpredictable tournament on the women’s tour—Wimbledon? These uncertainties and unexpected outcomes are exactly why the women’s rivalry promises to be even more thrilling than the men’s in the coming year.
