Better of 2024
Better of 2024: Draper, #NextGenATP Shang amongst first-time ATP Tour champions
Tabilo, Lehecka, Thompson, Mpetshi Perricard additionally characteristic in stacked record
December 11, 2024
BossOpen
Jack Draper celebrates after profitable the Boss Open title in Stuttgart.
By ATP Workers
Few moments in an expert tennis profession rival the joys of a primary ATP Tour title run.
In 2024, the highlight shone on 12 gamers who broke by way of and tasted a tour-level triumph for the very first time, whether or not as seasoned veterans or fresh-faced newcomers. As a part of our annual season-in-review collection, ATPTour.com displays on those that joined the winner’s circle this yr.
Jiri Lehecka, Adelaide
In a battle between two explosive hitters every chasing their maiden ATP Tour trophy, Lehecka produced an expertly measured comeback to prevail towards Jack Draper within the Adelaide Worldwide title tilt. After being overpowered within the first set, the Czech shifted to a extra aggressive method and started to dominate the exchanges with ease to notch a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.
“It’s laborious for me to say one thing, as a result of it’s so emotional for me to win my first title right here in Adelaide,” mentioned Lehecka. “It was considered one of my targets to win a title in 2024 and I’m completely satisfied to make it a actuality within the first week.” Learn Lehecka’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Alejandro Tabilo, Auckland
Tabilo began his 2024 marketing campaign in type on the ASB Basic in Auckland. The qualifier dropped only one set throughout six victories in a standout week and he jumped contained in the Prime 50 for the primary time in his profession because of this, becoming a member of Cristian Garin and Nicolas Jarry as the one energetic Chilean singles champions on the ATP Tour.
“It is an unbelievable feeling, very emotional,” Tabilo mentioned. “ I by no means thought it could be this week. I’m simply very pleased with the tennis that I performed, and really emotional.” Learn Tabilo’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Luciano Darderi, Cordoba
In simply the third all-qualifier last in ATP Tour historical past, Darderi held his nerve to safe a maiden title towards Facundo Bagnis on the Cordoba Open. Together with his milestone run, the Italian catapulted himself 60 locations to No. 76 within the PIF ATP Rankings.
“I really feel actually good, I can not imagine I’ve received my first ATP title,” Darderi mentioned. “Final week I misplaced within the [second] spherical of a Challenger.” Learn Darderi’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Facundo Diaz Acosta, Buenos Aires
Wild card Diaz Acosta accomplished a dream week on the IEB+ Argentina Open, the place he powered to 5 victories with out dropping a set. Together with his outstanding triumph, which included a dominant win over Nicolas Jarry within the last, Diaz Acosta joined Rafael Nadal as the one left-handed champions in match historical past.
“I’ve been dreaming about this second for a very long time with my group,” the Argentine mentioned. “I nonetheless cannot determine how I received the match with out shedding units.” Learn Diaz Acosta’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Jordan Thompson, Los Cabos
It was a Thompson double in Los Cabos because the Australian sealed his maiden ATP Tour title simply hours after lifting the doubles trophy with companion Max Purcell on the Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo. Thompson’s singles triumph is underpinned by his monumental turnaround in his quarter-final towards Alex Michelsen, the place he clawed his means again from 0-6, 0-3 all the way down to safe victory.
“It means the world,” Thompson mentioned after his 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-5 win. “I grew up eager to play on the ATP Tour and by no means thought I’d be lifting a champion’s trophy. Truly it hasn’t sunk in but, nevertheless it’s the most effective moments of my profession, if not the most effective.” Learn Thompson’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Jan-Lennard Struff, Munich
Struff’s dream second lastly arrived on residence soil on the fourth time of asking. Having misplaced three prior finals, the German produced an imposing efficiency to see off Taylor Fritz and raise the BMW Open trophy in Munich.
“[It feels] unbelievable, and to do it on residence soil is simply unimaginable,” mentioned Struff. “I waited so lengthy. I’m 33 years outdated and performed so lengthy on Tour. It’s simply a tremendous feeling to do it right here in Germany.” Learn Struff’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Lyon
Victory doesn’t style a lot sweeter than when it’s secured in your house metropolis. Simply ask Mpetshi Perricard, who flashed his credentials en path to the Open Parc title in Lyon. Taking part in in simply his third tour-level foremost draw, the explosive Frenchman proved that he’s way more than an enormous server.
The triumph in Lyon proved just the start for the 6’8″ Frenchman, who went on to raise his maiden ATP 500 title on the Swiss Indoors Basel later within the yr.
“It means lots. Loads of dedication, numerous laborious coaching, numerous questions on my recreation,” Mpetshi Perricard mentioned. “However I am very completely satisfied to win this one in Lyon particularly, my hometown.” Learn Mpetshi Perricard’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Jack Draper, Stuttgart
It was championship-match glory on the third time for Draper on the BOSS OPEN in Stuttgart, the place he clinched his maiden ATP Tour title. Competing in his third tour-level last, the Briton secured a 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 comeback over two-time former champion Matteo Berrettini.
It was per week of firsts for Draper, who with the milestone second cemented his standing because the British No. 1, and it led to a stellar finish to the season throughout which he completed as No. 15 within the PIF ATP Rankings with two ATP Tour titles to his title (Stuttgart, Vienna).
“Actually it means the world to me,” Draper mentioned after his Stuttgart win. “I have been working for this second for a really very long time. Hopefully it is a testomony to all my laborious work.” Learn Draper’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Nuno Borges, Bastad
Borges discovered a becoming solution to clinch his first ATP Tour title on the Nordea Open in Bastad. The Portuguese powered previous Rafael Nadal on the Nordic clay, dismantling the 22-time Grand Slam titlist’s serve on 5 events within the championship match.
“It’s loopy, in tennis it doesn’t occur if you anticipate it generally,” mentioned Borges. “I do know all of us wished Rafa to win, part of me wished that too, however one thing even greater inside me actually pushed by way of at the moment.” Learn Borges First-Time Winner Q&A
Marcos Giron, Newport
The wait was lastly over for 30-year-old Giron, who triumphed on the Infosys Corridor of Fame Open in Newport. The American produced a few of his most gutsy tennis to avoid wasting a match level and outlast countryman Alex Michelsen within the last.
“Higher late than by no means. We’ll take it!” Giron mentioned with amusing. “It is actually particular. For me this has been years of laborious work, years of dedication and years of assist from household, pals and coaches.” Learn Giron’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Shang Juncheng, Chengdu
#NextGenATP star Shang etched his title into the historical past books when he emerged victorious on residence turf on the Chengdu Open. Not solely did the 19-year-old change into simply the second Chinese language participant to win an ATP Tour singles title after Wu Yibing received in Dallas in 2023, however he additionally turned the primary participant born in 2005 or later to triumph on the ATP Tour.
“I’ve by no means thought that I might do it this early in my profession,” Shang mentioned. “All of [the other Chinese players], they assist me, and we assist one another. We’re type of competing towards one another, the Chinese language gamers.” Learn Shang’s First-Time Winner Q&A
Benjamin Bonzi, Metz
Bonzi’s unimaginable run of kind to shut the season resulted in jubilation on the Moselle Open in Metz. The French qualifier entered the occasion having received 14 of his earlier 15 matches, together with two ATP Challenger Tour titles, and he picked up the place he left off with an emphatic run to his first tour-level title.
”I used to be not anticipating per week like that,” mentioned Bonzi. “That’s loopy to complete the yr like this.” Learn Bonzi’s First-Time Winner Q&A