It may seem gloomy to kick off the best of 2024 with the Spanish king’s abdication rather than the Italian prince’s coronation, but a legend taking his leave is significant.

¡Adiós al Rey !

A 28,000-square-foot banner the width of a stadium. It was likely one of the most gigantic posters in sports history and no doubt on par with the illustriousness of the man for whom it was intended.

The whopping thank you hung as Rafael Nadal Parera, eternal king of clay and vice-GOAT as far as Slams, competed in his final tournament. On November 19, the Malaga venue that hosted the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup finals had the sentimental honour of seeing him off.

Spain’s Raging Bull gave it his all, but time waits for no one.

Read also: King of Canada - Revisiting Rafael Nadal’s Five Titles at the National Bank Open

It was curtains in his home country, though his most beloved venue remains Stade Roland-Garros where he was handed an unbelievable 14 trophies (112-4). He won 63 of his 92 total titles on clay.

At the Davis Cup, he lost his only singles match as Spain was ousted 2-1 by the Netherlands. After the match, a lengthy ceremony included a moving montage featuring some of Spain’s most decorated athletes and Rafa’s three amigos in the Big Four.

Nadal by the numbers

1,080 ATP wins
92 singles titles
36 Masters 1000 titles
22 Slam titles
14 French Open titles
5 years ended at No. 1
209 weeks at No. 1
912 weeks in the Top 10 (2005–2023)
4 Davis Cup titles
2 Olympic gold medals
$134, 946, 100 in prize money (the second-highest paid player in history)

Forza Jannik !

On Oct. 12, Jannik Sinner officially clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking, the first Italian to do so. Six weeks later, he closed out his dazzling 69-6 season with 8 shiny new winner’s trophies, including the hardware from the ATP Finals, Australian Open, and US Open.

As a bonus, he led his country to its second straight Davis Cup without dropping a set in singles or in doubles, just like he did last year (yes, really).

CLICK HERE for everything you need to know about Team Canada's performance at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.

So what’s all that worth? His wages reflect his record. In 2024, he banked $17M and doubled his career earnings, which now total $33M.

Amazing.

Match of 2024: Sinner vs. Alcaraz

“Tennis is in safe hands!”

That’s what a TV commentator said moments after Carlos Alcaraz downed Jannik Sinner 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in what was undoubtedly the showdown of the season.

Read also: 3 Reasons Why a 12-Day National Bank Open is Going to be a Smash

Although that could be said of pretty much all their clashes, the nearly three-and-a-half-hour battle in the final of the China Open in October was one for the books.

As far as rivalries go, theirs is cemented. In 2024, they walked away with an equal share of two Slams apiece.

Rookie of the year: GMP

Sports are often defined by numbers and statistics, and our rookie of the year is no exception to that unwritten rule.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is the ATP’s latest heavy hitter and he uses his 6 feet, 8 inches to the absolute best of his ability by combining short and fast motion with singular power.

The Frenchman started out 2024 at No. 205 and ended it at No. 31. That’s 174 spots in the rankings. He secured his first pro title at his hometown Challenger in Lyon and truly emerged at Wimbledon, where he pummelled Sebastian Korda with 51 aces.

From October 21 to 29, he asserted his dominance and embarked on a fantastic run at the ATP 500 Swiss Indoors in Basel where he hit 87 aces, lined up six straight wins, raised the winner’s trophy and, most significantly, went 86 games without being broken.

So GMP is more than a bazooka in sneakers. The quality and speed of his forehands and backhands are remarkable. He’s already a complete player.

Young retirees club

Rafa wasn’t the only one to retire in 2024. So did Dominic Thiem, Ivo Karlovic, Joao Sousa and John Millman, and they were all honoured at the ATP Finals in Turin.

Read also: Sabalenka Cements Top Dog Status - Best WTA Stories of 2024

In related news, Andy Murray retired this past summer only to announce last week that he was heading back out on tour. In 2025, he’ll be coaching the most decorated player in history, Novak Djokovic (what?!).

There’s a lot to look forward to in 2025!

The ATP's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open July 27 to Aug. 7, 2025 at Sobeys Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo : Davis Cup

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