Tokyo, JAPAN – From Casper Ruud (NOR) landing the biggest title of his career to Tommy Paul (USA) winning three tournaments during his most successful season yet, Team Yonex players produced some special performances on the ATP Tour in 2024.
A head-to-toe Yonex ambassador, Ruud qualified for the exclusive, eight-man field for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, which was the Norwegian’s reward for a year in which he won his first ATP 500 title in Barcelona. Such was the high level of Ruud’s tennis on the clay in Barcelona, he didn’t drop a set throughout the tournament. Another highlight for Ruud in 2024 was winning the title in Geneva, which is the third time in the last four years that he has lifted the trophy at that clay-court tournament in Switzerland. In an illustration of how Ruud has been playing at a high level for many years, it was the third time he had qualified for the ATP Finals, which is confirmation of having a strong year on the ATP Tour.
Paul’s trio of titles
When the 2024 season began, Paul had just one ATP singles title to his name, which came in Stockholm in 2021. Over the course of the season, the American picked up three titles with victories in Dallas, at Queen’s Club in London and in Stockholm. The victory at Queen’s Club was particularly significant as that was his first ATP 500 triumph, as well as his maiden grass court title.
Baez’s double in South America
Sebastian Baez (ARG) had an astonishing two weeks during the South American clay-court swing. After winning his first ATP 500 title in Rio de Janeiro, he was also victorious at the ATP 250 in Santiago, and in doing so became the first man for four years to land multiple titles during that swing. With all the points that came with those victories, Baez achieved a career breakthrough by moving into the top 20 of the ATP Rankings for the first time.
First clay-court title for Shelton
Winning a first title on a surface is always a satisfying moment and there was also a
breakthrough in 2024 for Ben Shelton (USA), who earned his first ATP singles title on clay in Houston. At just 21 years old, he was the youngest champion at that tournament since 2002. The American climbed to No. 13 in the ATP Rankings in 2024, which was a new high for him.
Shapovalov’s first title in five years
Five years after winning his first ATP title in Stockholm in 2019, an emotional Denis Shapovalov (CAN) took his second with victory in Belgrade. It was a hugely satisfying victory for Shapovalov, a former top 10 player whose run began in the qualifying rounds.
