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ITF World Champions
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) designates a World Champion each year based on its own majority opinion of performances throughout the year, emphasizing the Grand Slam tournaments,[1] and also considering team events such as the Davis Cup and Fed Cup.[2] Men's and women's singles champions were first named in 1978; the title is now also awarded for doubles, wheelchair, and junior players.[3] It is sometimes named the "ITF Player of the Year" award, alluding to similar other year-end awards in tennis.[4]
Rules and procedures
[edit]The ITF's constitution states that no tennis tournament can be designated the "World Championships" without unanimous consent of the ITF Council.[5] There is currently no such tournament. The constitution also states:[6]
- The ITF may award the title of World Champion to players who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are the most outstanding players in any one-year. The names of players who have been awarded this title shall be listed in the Roll of Honour.
The opinion of the Board of Directors is taken to be equivalent to the majority opinions of the members of the Board.
It also states:[1]
- Official Tennis Championships [i.e. the Grand Slam events] shall be the decisive factor in the determination of the ITF World Champions for each year.
The boys' and girls' singles and doubles titles prior to 2003 were awarded based on world ranking. Since then singles and doubles rankings have been combined in a single award each for boys and for girls.[7]
The world champion accolade has been extended by the ITF to wheelchair tennis players of the Men's and Women's division since 1991 and also based on world ranking. In November 2017, the ITF announced that the quad wheelchair tennis division is to be recognised in its annual list of ITF World Champions.[8]
In 1996, the Philippe Chatrier Award was introduced, honouring individuals or organisations who have made outstanding contributions to tennis globally, both on and off the court. The award is considered to be the ITF's highest accolade and is named after the former French tennis player Philippe Chatrier, who was President of the governing body between 1977 and 1991.[9]
The ITF World Champions Dinner takes place annually to honour the previous year's champions,[10] who are presented with a trophy, but not any monetary prize.[11] The dinner was held during the French Open up until 2022, but since 2023 has been held during Wimbledon.
For 2020 there were no ITF World Champion awards given due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tennis season was suspended for about 5 months for both the female and the male tennis players.[12]
Men's singles
[edit]The first men's panel in 1978 had three members, Don Budge, Fred Perry, and Lew Hoad,[11][13] who attended the season's Grand Slam events at ITF expense to inform their choice.[14] The 1983 panel split two to one between John McEnroe (votes of Budge and Perry) and Mats Wilander (vote of Hoad).[15] The 1984 panel had five members,[16] while the 1985 panel had four: Budge, Perry, Hoad, and Tony Trabert.[17] When Ivan Lendl was chosen as champion for 1985, the panel's announcement was accompanied with a rebuke for Lendl's criticism of some tournaments and his refusal to play in the Davis Cup.[17] Perry and Trabert were on the 1986 panel, with performances outside the Grand Slams taken into consideration.[18]
The 1990 designation of Lendl as champion was a surprise.[19] That year, the Association of Tennis Professionals named Stefan Edberg its "Player of The Year", in accordance with the ATP rankings, while Tennis Magazine (France) ranked Edberg first, Andre Agassi second, and Lendl third.[20] Tennis also suggested the ITF was punishing Edberg for denigrating the Grand Slam Cup tournament it had introduced.[20] The ITF panel, of Perry, Trabert, and Frank Sedgman, called it "the toughest decision any of us can remember having to make", and stated it was Lendl's better average performance in the Grand Slams that made the difference.[19]
Other instances when the ITF choices differed from the ATP rankings are 1978, with Bjorn Borg being favoured over Jimmy Connors, 1982, with Connors favoured over McEnroe, 1989, with Boris Becker favoured over Lendl, 2013 with Novak Djokovic favoured over Rafael Nadal, 2022 with Nadal favoured over Carlos Alcaraz, and 2025 with Jannik Sinner favoured over Alcaraz.[21]
|
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Women's singles
[edit]The women's panel initially featured three former women's champions, Margaret Court, Margaret duPont and Ann Jones.[22][11][13] Althea Gibson was a member through the early 1980s.[23]
ITF world champions for women differed from the WTA year-end rankings the following years: 1978 (Martina Navratilova), 1994 (Steffi Graf), 2001 (Lindsay Davenport), 2004 (Lindsay Davenport), 2005 (Lindsay Davenport), 2011 (Caroline Wozniacki), 2012 (Victoria Azarenka), 2017 (Simona Halep), 2023 (Iga Świątek), 2024 (Aryna Sabalenka).
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Doubles
[edit]
Men's doubles[edit]
|
Women's doubles[edit]
|
Junior
[edit]
Singles (1978–2003)
[edit]
Boys' singles[edit]
|
Girls' singles[edit]
|
Doubles (1978–2003)
[edit]
Boys' doubles[edit]
|
Girls' doubles[edit]
|
Wheelchair
[edit]
Men's wheelchair[edit]
|
Women's wheelchair[edit]
|
Quad's wheelchair
[edit]| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2017 |  David Wagner
|
| 2018 |  Dylan Alcott
|
| 2019 | Dylan Alcott (2)
|
| 2020 | No award due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021 | Dylan Alcott (3)
|
| 2022 |  Niels Vink
|
| 2023 | Niels Vink (2)
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| 2024 | Sam Schröder
|
| 2025 | Niels Vink (3)
|
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ITF Constitution
- Fecci, Vicki (6 January 2010). "Memorandum, Articles of Association and Bye-laws of ITF LIMITED; Trading as the International Tennis Federation" (PDF). Nassau, Bahamas: ITF. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ a b ITF Constitution, p.26, Rule 2.2(a)(iii)
- ^ "ITF opt for Hewitt and Capriati". BBC Online. 2 December 2001. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ ITF Constitution, p.53 Appendix E
- ^ "Rafael Nadal, Garbine Muguruza win ITF Player of the Year awards". ESPN.com. 2017-12-08. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
- ^ ITF Constitution, p.29: Article 29(a)
- ^ ITF Constitution, p.38 Regulation 3.1
- ^ ITF Constitution, Appendix E, pp.53, 60
- ^ "ITF Tennis - WHEELCHAIR - Articles - ITF to honour quad wheelchair world champions". www.itftennis.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-13.
- ^ Gillen, Nancy (1 April 2020). "Santana and Stolle receive ITF Philippe Chatrier Award". Inside the Games. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
- ^ "World Champions Dinner". ITF. 2013. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ a b c "Borg: Sitting on top of the World". Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press. 17 January 1979. p. 11C. Retrieved 20 December 2013 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "ITF celebrates 2019 World Champions". www.itftennis.com. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ a b Joe Jares (February 13, 1978). "Champion by committee". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 48, no. 8. p. 11.
- ^ "Wind, Herbert Warren (15 February 1978). "The Sports Scene: Budge and the Grand Slam". The New Yorker. Vol. 63. p. 76.
- ^ UPI (17 January 1984). "McEnroe tapped as world's best". The Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. p. D-1. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ "McEnroe crowned World Champ by tennis panel". Gainesville Sun. 17 January 1985. p. 3E. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ a b Fogarty, Mark (21 January 1986). "All the awards, plus a rebuke". The Age. p. 48. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ "It's official: Lendl best in world". Boca Raton News. 11 December 1986. p. 4D. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ a b "Lendl, not Edberg, named tennis world champion". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Associated Press. 18 December 1990. p. 1C. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ a b Tennis (in French) (179). France. February 1991.
On' a choisi de sanctionner un champion qui n'avait pas craint d'avouer publiquement le peu d'importance qu'il accordait à la Coupe du Grand Chelem, la fameuse invention de la FIT pour 'casser' l'ATP Tour. (It was decided to punish a champion who was not afraid to admit publicly how little he thought of the Grand Slam Cup, the famous ITF invention to 'break' the ATP Tour)
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Announced: 2025 ITF World Champions presented by UNIQLO". www.itftennis.com. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ^ Ron Rosen (January 17, 1978). "Fie to Computers, Let People Decide". Washington Post.
- ^ Flink, Steve (30 September 2003). "Obituaries: Althea Gibson". The Independent. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
External links
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ITF World Champions
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Selection Process
Rules and Criteria
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) selects World Champions annually through a process governed by its constitution, which empowers the ITF Board of Directors to award the title to players who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are the most outstanding based on their performances over the calendar year.[4] This retrospective designation emphasizes objective criteria, including all results from the season, with particular weight given to achievements in Grand Slam tournaments, year-end ATP and WTA rankings, and team events such as the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup.[5] Official Tennis Championships, including the four Grand Slams, hold the greatest influence in this evaluation.[4] The ITF Constitution explicitly prohibits designating any tennis tournament as "World Championships" without unanimous approval from the ITF Council, ensuring that World Champion honors remain non-competitive awards rather than outcomes of a dedicated event.[4] Selections occur across distinct categories: open divisions for able-bodied senior players in singles and doubles; junior divisions for players under 18 years old; and wheelchair divisions, subdivided into men's, women's, and quad events.[1] These awards carry no monetary prizes, focusing instead on honorary recognition through trophies and inclusion in the ITF Roll of Honour.[4] In 2020, no ITF World Champion awards were issued due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which suspended the professional tennis calendar for approximately five months and prevented a full season of evaluations.[6]Award Ceremony and Recognition
The ITF World Champions Awards are presented annually at the prestigious ITF World Champions Dinner, a gala event that honors the previous year's winners across professional, junior, and wheelchair categories. Since 2023, the dinner has been held in London during the Wimbledon Championships, marking a shift from its traditional venue during the French Open in Paris, where it took place from its inception through 2022.[7][8] The event gathers over 400 guests, including tennis legends, officials, and sponsors, in a formal black-tie setting to celebrate outstanding achievements in the sport.[9] At the dinner, individual trophies are presented to winners in each category, such as men's and women's singles, doubles, and juniors, symbolizing their status as the world's top performers for the year. The presentation process involves ITF President David Haggerty or designated dignitaries handing over the awards on stage, often accompanied by speeches highlighting the recipients' contributions. Integrated into the same ceremony since its establishment in 1996, the Philippe Chatrier Award recognizes lifetime achievements and substantial contributions to tennis, both on and off the court, such as promoting the sport's growth or exemplifying sportsmanship; notable early recipients include Stefan Edberg in 1996 for his role as a player and coach, and Rod Laver in 1998 for his legendary career.[10][11] Beyond the ceremony, recognition extends through widespread media announcements by outlets like ESPN and the ITF's official channels, ensuring global visibility for the champions' accomplishments. Winners are permanently archived in ITF records on the organization's website, preserving their legacy for future reference. The event is also broadcast via highlights on ITF's YouTube channel and select media partners, amplifying its reach to tennis enthusiasts worldwide.[12][9]History
Inception and Early Years
The International Tennis Federation (ITF), which rebranded from the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) in 1977, established the World Champions awards in 1978 to designate official annual world number one players in men's and women's singles, addressing the growing confusion from competing claims by media polls, the ATP, and other bodies.[13] This initiative aimed to reassert the ITF's authority in professional tennis following the Open Era's start in 1968, which had shifted power toward player-led circuits and diminished the federation's role beyond rule-making.[13] The awards focused exclusively on singles categories initially, selected based on year-end performances in major events such as the Grand Slams, Davis Cup, and Grand Prix Masters for men, and equivalent women's tournaments.[14] Selection for the inaugural 1978 awards was conducted by separate panels of former top players, emphasizing overall seasonal impact rather than a points-based system. The men's panel consisted of Don Budge, Fred Perry, and Lew Hoad, while the women's panel included Margaret Court, Margaret Osborne duPont, and Ann Jones; these experts evaluated achievements to determine the champions.[14][15] Björn Borg of Sweden was named the first men's World Champion, recognized for his dominant performances including Wimbledon and French Open titles, while Chris Evert of the United States earned the women's honor after winning the US Open, Australian Open, and French Open.[16][15] Both selections were unanimous and non-controversial, reflecting clear consensus amid the prior year's disputes over the 1977 top player—such as between Jimmy Connors, Borg, and Guillermo Vilas—which had highlighted the need for an authoritative ITF designation.[13] No ITF World Champions awards existed before 1978, with pre-Open Era (pre-1968) "world champions" typically recognized informally through national titles, pro tours, or ILTF-sanctioned events that separated amateurs and professionals, leading to ongoing debates about legitimacy across eras.[15] The 1978 inception aligned the awards firmly with the Open Era's professional landscape, avoiding retroactive inclusion of earlier periods and focusing solely on post-1968 achievements to establish a modern, unified standard.[14] Through the 1980s, the process remained panel-based, with early years underscoring the ITF's commitment to expert judgment over emerging computerized rankings.[15]Expansion and Changes
The ITF expanded its World Champions awards in 1996 to include men's and women's doubles categories, initially determined by a combination of singles and doubles performances to recognize overall excellence in the discipline.[17] This addition broadened the scope beyond the original singles focus, honoring pairs such as Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde as the inaugural men's doubles recipients.[18] Wheelchair tennis categories were introduced to the awards in 1991, covering men's and women's singles based on year-end rankings, marking the first inclusion of adaptive tennis in the ITF's premier honors.[17] The quad division followed in 2017, extending recognition to players with impairments affecting all four limbs and the trunk, with Dylan Alcott named as the first quad champion.[2] In the junior sector, the ITF shifted from separate singles (awarded since 1978) and doubles (introduced in 1978) categories to a combined boys' and girls' award in 2004, utilizing the new Combined Junior Ranking that merged singles and doubles points to encourage well-rounded development.[19] This change reduced the number of annual junior honors to two, simplifying the structure while promoting participation in both formats. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the first suspension of the awards in 2020, as global tour disruptions prevented sufficient competitive activity for selections, creating a one-year gap in the honors.[20] Recent developments include the ITF's planned rebranding to World Tennis starting in 2026, aimed at enhancing global identity and inclusivity across its programs, including the World Champions awards.[21] Despite these evolutions, notable gaps persist: no dedicated awards exist for mixed doubles in the open categories, and seniors over 35 are covered by the separate ITF World Tennis Masters Tour without integration into the main World Champions framework, though future expansions remain under consideration without implementation.[22]Open Champions
Men's Singles
The ITF Men's Singles World Champion award recognizes the outstanding male tennis player of the year, selected by a panel of experts based on performances across the season, with particular emphasis on Grand Slam results. Established in 1978, the award has highlighted the sport's top talents, often aligning with the ATP year-end world No. 1 or multiple Grand Slam title holders.[1] The complete chronological list of winners from 1978 to 2024 is as follows, noting that the 2020 award was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Björn Borg (SWE) |
| 1979 | Björn Borg (SWE) |
| 1980 | Björn Borg (SWE) |
| 1981 | John McEnroe (USA) |
| 1982 | Jimmy Connors (USA) |
| 1983 | John McEnroe (USA) |
| 1984 | John McEnroe (USA) |
| 1985 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) |
| 1986 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) |
| 1987 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) |
| 1988 | Mats Wilander (SWE) |
| 1989 | Boris Becker (FRG) |
| 1990 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) |
| 1991 | Stefan Edberg (SWE) |
| 1992 | Jim Courier (USA) |
| 1993 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
| 1994 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
| 1995 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
| 1996 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
| 1997 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
| 1998 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
| 1999 | Andre Agassi (USA) |
| 2000 | Gustavo Kuerten (BRA) |
| 2001 | Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) |
| 2002 | Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) |
| 2003 | Andy Roddick (USA) |
| 2004 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
| 2005 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
| 2006 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
| 2007 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
| 2008 | [Rafael Nadal](/page/Rafael_N Nadal) (ESP) |
| 2009 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
| 2010 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) |
| 2011 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
| 2012 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
| 2013 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
| 2014 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
| 2015 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
| 2016 | Andy Murray (GBR) |
| 2017 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) |
| 2018 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
| 2019 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) |
| 2020 | Canceled |
| 2021 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
| 2022 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner (ITA) |
Women's Singles
The ITF Women's Singles World Champion award, established in 1978, recognizes the female tennis player with the most outstanding performance in singles during the calendar year, based on objective criteria that evaluate overall results with particular emphasis on Grand Slam tournaments and consistency on the WTA Tour.[25] This accolade highlights players who demonstrate sustained excellence across major events and high-level competitions, often correlating with multiple titles or year-end No. 1 rankings.[1] The following table lists all ITF Women's Singles World Champions from 1978 to 2024, excluding 2020 when the award was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[26]| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Chris Evert |
| 1979 | Martina Navratilova |
| 1980 | Chris Evert (2) |
| 1981 | Chris Evert (3) |
| 1982 | Martina Navratilova (2) |
| 1983 | Martina Navratilova (3) |
| 1984 | Martina Navratilova (4) |
| 1985 | Martina Navratilova (5) |
| 1986 | Martina Navratilova (6) |
| 1987 | Steffi Graf |
| 1988 | Steffi Graf (2) |
| 1989 | Steffi Graf (3) |
| 1990 | Steffi Graf (4) |
| 1991 | Monica Seles |
| 1992 | Monica Seles (2) |
| 1993 | Steffi Graf (5) |
| 1994 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
| 1995 | Steffi Graf (6) |
| 1996 | Steffi Graf (7) |
| 1997 | Martina Hingis |
| 1998 | Lindsay Davenport |
| 1999 | Martina Hingis (2) |
| 2000 | Martina Hingis (3) |
| 2001 | Jennifer Capriati |
| 2002 | Serena Williams |
| 2003 | Justine Henin |
| 2004 | Anastasia Myskina |
| 2005 | Kim Clijsters |
| 2006 | Justine Henin (2) |
| 2007 | Justine Henin (3) |
| 2008 | Jelena Janković |
| 2009 | Serena Williams (2) |
| 2010 | Caroline Wozniacki |
| 2011 | Petra Kvitová |
| 2012 | Serena Williams (3) |
| 2013 | Serena Williams (4) |
| 2014 | Serena Williams (5) |
| 2015 | Serena Williams (6) |
| 2016 | Angelique Kerber |
| 2017 | Garbiñe Muguruza |
| 2018 | Simona Halep |
| 2019 | Ashleigh Barty |
| 2021 | Ashleigh Barty (2) |
| 2022 | Iga Świątek |
| 2023 | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2024 | Iga Świątek (2) |
Men's Doubles
The ITF Men's Doubles World Champion award, established in 1996, honors the most outstanding men's doubles team based on their performance across the ATP Tour calendar, including Grand Slam titles, Masters 1000 events, and year-end rankings.[1] The following table lists all ITF Men's Doubles World Champions from 1996 to 2024:| Year | Winners | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Todd Woodbridge / Mark Woodforde | Australia |
| 1997 | Todd Woodbridge / Mark Woodforde | Australia |
| 1998 | Jacco Eltingh / Paul Haarhuis | Netherlands |
| 1999 | Mahesh Bhupathi / Leander Paes | India |
| 2000 | Mahesh Bhupathi / Leander Paes | India |
| 2001 | Donald Johnson / Jared Palmer | United States |
| 2002 | Mark Knowles / Daniel Nestor | Bahamas / Canada |
| 2003 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2004 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2005 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2006 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2007 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2008 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2009 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2010 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2011 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2012 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2013 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2014 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan | United States |
| 2015 | Jean-Julien Rojer / Horia Tecău | Netherlands / Romania |
| 2016 | Pierre-Hugues Herbert / Nicolas Mahut | France |
| 2017 | Łukasz Kubot / Marcelo Melo | Poland / Brazil |
| 2018 | Mike Bryan / Jack Sock | United States |
| 2019 | Juan Sebastián Cabal / Robert Farah | Colombia |
| 2020 | No award (due to COVID-19 disruptions) | - |
| 2021 | Nikola Mektić / Mate Pavić | Croatia |
| 2022 | Rajeev Ram / Joe Salisbury | United States / Great Britain |
| 2023 | Rajeev Ram / Joe Salisbury | United States / Great Britain |
| 2024 | Marcelo Arévalo / Mate Pavić | El Salvador / Croatia |
Women's Doubles
The ITF World Champions award for women's doubles was introduced in 1996 to recognize the top performing pairs based on their results across the WTA Tour, including Grand Slams, WTA Finals, and other major events throughout the calendar year.[33] The following table provides a complete chronological list of ITF women's doubles world champions from 1996 to 2024:| Year | Player 1 | Nationality | Player 2 | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Lindsay Davenport | USA | Mary Joe Fernández | USA |
| 1997 | Lindsay Davenport | USA | Jana Novotná | CZE |
| 1998 | Lindsay Davenport | USA | Natasha Zvereva | BLR |
| 1999 | Martina Hingis | SUI | Anna Kournikova | RUS |
| 2000 | Julie Halard-Decugis | FRA | Ai Sugiyama | JPN |
| 2001 | Lisa Raymond | USA | Rennae Stubbs | AUS |
| 2002 | Virginia Ruano Pascual | ESP | Paola Suárez | ARG |
| 2003 | Virginia Ruano Pascual | ESP | Paola Suárez | ARG |
| 2004 | Virginia Ruano Pascual | ESP | Paola Suárez | ARG |
| 2005 | Lisa Raymond | USA | Samantha Stosur | AUS |
| 2006 | Lisa Raymond | USA | Samantha Stosur | AUS |
| 2007 | Cara Black | ZIM | Liezel Huber | USA |
| 2008 | Cara Black | ZIM | Liezel Huber | USA |
| 2009 | Serena Williams | USA | Venus Williams | USA |
| 2010 | Gisela Dulko | ARG | Flavia Pennetta | ITA |
| 2011 | Květa Peschke | CZE | Katarina Srebotnik | SLO |
| 2012 | Sara Errani | ITA | Roberta Vinci | ITA |
| 2013 | Sara Errani | ITA | Roberta Vinci | ITA |
| 2014 | Sara Errani | ITA | Roberta Vinci | ITA |
| 2015 | Martina Hingis | SUI | Sania Mirza | IND |
| 2016 | Caroline Garcia | FRA | Kristina Mladenovic | FRA |
| 2017 | Martina Hingis | SUI | Chan Yung-jan | TPE |
| 2018 | Barbora Krejčíková | CZE | Kateřina Siniaková | CZE |
| 2019 | Tímea Babos | HUN | Kristina Mladenovic | FRA |
| 2020 | No award | - | No award | - |
| 2021 | Barbora Krejčíková | CZE | Kateřina Siniaková | CZE |
| 2022 | Barbora Krejčíková | CZE | Kateřina Siniaková | CZE |
| 2023 | Storm Hunter | AUS | Elise Mertens | BEL |
| 2024 | Sara Errani | ITA | Jasmine Paolini | ITA |
Junior Champions
Boys' Combined (2004–present)
The ITF Boys' Combined World Champion award recognizes the top-ranked male junior tennis player under 18 at the end of each calendar year, based on performance in both singles and doubles events. Introduced in 2004 alongside the Combined Junior Ranking system, this accolade highlights versatility by aggregating points from both disciplines, replacing separate singles and doubles honors.[19] The champion is determined by the year-end No. 1 position in the ITF Combined Junior Ranking, which rewards consistent excellence across tournaments on the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors.[19] The following table lists the Boys' Combined World Champions from 2004 to 2024:| Year | Champion | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Gaël Monfils | FRA |
| 2005 | Donald Young | USA |
| 2006 | Thiemo de Bakker | NED |
| 2007 | Ričardas Berankis | LTU |
| 2008 | Tsung-hua Yang | TPE |
| 2009 | Daniel Berta | SWE |
| 2010 | Juan Sebastián Gómez | COL |
| 2011 | Jiří Veselý | CZE |
| 2012 | Filip Peliwo | CAN |
| 2013 | Alexander Zverev | GER |
| 2014 | Andrey Rublev | RUS |
| 2015 | Taylor Fritz | USA |
| 2016 | Miomir Kecmanović | SRB |
| 2017 | Axel Geller | ARG |
| 2018 | Chun-hsin Tseng | TPE |
| 2019 | Thiago Agustín Tirante | ARG |
| 2020 | Harold Mayot | FRA |
| 2021 | Juncheng Shang | CHN |
| 2022 | Gilles-Arnaud Bailly | BEL |
| 2023 | João Fonseca | BRA |
| 2024 | Nicolai Budkov Kjaer | NOR |
Girls' Combined (2004–present)
The Girls' Combined category, introduced by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in 2004, honors the top-ranked female junior player under the age of 18 at the end of each calendar year based on the combined ITF Junior World Ranking, which aggregates points from singles and doubles performances across the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors. This system replaced separate singles and doubles rankings to promote well-rounded development, rewarding versatility in both disciplines and on various surfaces. The year-end No. 1 is officially designated the ITF Junior Girls' World Champion and receives recognition at the ITF World Champions awards ceremony.[1] The ranking points are earned through participation in over 500 annual junior tournaments worldwide, with higher-tier events like Junior Grand Slams (JGS) and Grade A tournaments offering the most value—up to 1,000 points for a JGS singles title or 500 for doubles. The combined formula weights singles slightly higher but integrates doubles to encourage participation in team events, ensuring the champion demonstrates excellence across formats. For example, a player like 2010 champion Karolína Plíšková (Czech Republic) amassed points from multiple Grade 1 singles wins and doubles finals, finishing with a decisive lead in the year-end standings. Notable champions from the category's inception highlight its role as a launchpad for professional success. Early winners include Michaëlla Krajicek (Netherlands, 2004), who reached WTA No. 30; Victoria Azarenka (Belarus, 2005), who later became a two-time Grand Slam singles champion and former WTA No. 1; and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia, 2006), who reached the 2021 French Open final. Later examples feature Jeļena Ostapenko (Latvia, 2014), the 2017 French Open singles winner, and Belinda Bencic (Switzerland, 2013), an Olympic gold medalist and top-10 WTA player. These transitions underscore the category's predictive value for elite pro careers, with over 40% of champions since 2004 achieving WTA top-50 rankings.| Year | Champion | Nationality | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Victoria Azarenka | Belarus | Australian Open junior singles (2005); WTA No. 1 (2012); 2 Grand Slams |
| 2006 | Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova | Russia | French Open junior singles (2006); WTA top 10; 2021 French Open finalist |
| 2010 | Karolína Plíšková | Czech Republic | Multiple Grade 1 titles (2010); WTA No. 1 (2017); 2021 US Open finalist |
| 2012 | Taylor Townsend | United States | French Open junior singles/doubles (2012); WTA doubles No. 5 |
| 2013 | Belinda Bencic | Switzerland | US Open junior singles (2013); Olympic gold (2016); WTA top 10 |
| 2014 | Jeļena Ostapenko | Latvia | French Open junior singles (2014); 2017 French Open champion |
| 2017 | Whitney Osuigwe | United States | French Open junior singles (2017); ITF Masters winner |
| 2018 | Clara Burel | France | Roland Garros junior singles (2018); ITF Junior Masters (2018) |
| 2020 | Elsa Jacquemot | France | Roland Garros junior singles (2020); Multiple Grade A titles |
| 2021 | Petra Marcinko | Croatia | Australian Open junior singles (2022); WTA 125 winner (2024) |
| 2022 | Lucie Havlíčková | Czech Republic | Roland Garros junior singles/doubles (2022); US Open junior doubles (2022) |
| 2023 | Alina Korneeva | Russia | Two junior Grand Slams (2023); ITF Junior Masters (2023) |
| 2024 | Emerson Jones | Australia | Australian Open junior singles (2024); First Australian girl No. 1 since 1999 |
Boys' Singles (1978–2003)
The ITF awarded Junior World Champions in boys' singles annually from 1978 to 2003 to recognize the top-performing under-18 male player based on results from the ITF junior circuit tournaments. The champion was the player who achieved the year-end No. 1 ranking in the ITF Junior World Rankings for singles, determined by points accumulated from international junior events graded by the federation. This period emphasized pure singles achievement, allowing for focused evaluation of individual prowess before the 2004 introduction of combined singles and doubles rankings.[45] The complete list of boys' singles world champions from 1978 to 2003 is as follows, according to official ITF records:| Year | Champion | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Ivan Lendl | TCH |
| 1979 | Raul Viver | ECU |
| 1980 | Thierry Tulasne | FRA |
| 1981 | Pat Cash | AUS |
| 1982 | Guy Forget | FRA |
| 1983 | Stefan Edberg | SWE |
| 1984 | Mark Kratzmann | AUS |
| 1985 | Claudio Pistolesi | ITA |
| 1986 | Javier Sanchez | ESP |
| 1987 | Jason Stoltenberg | AUS |
| 1988 | Nicolas Pereira | VEN |
| 1989 | Nicklas Kulti | SWE |
| 1990 | Andrea Gaudenzi | ITA |
| 1991 | Thomas Enqvist | SWE |
| 1992 | Brian Dunn | USA |
| 1993 | Marcelo Rios | CHI |
| 1994 | Federico Browne | ARG |
| 1995 | Mariano Zabaleta | ARG |
| 1996 | Sebastien Grosjean | FRA |
| 1997 | Arnaud Di Pasquale | FRA |
| 1998 | Roger Federer | SUI |
| 1999 | Kristian Pless | DEN |
| 2000 | Andy Roddick | USA |
| 2001 | Gilles Muller | LUX |
| 2002 | Richard Gasquet | FRA |
| 2003 | Marcos Baghdatis | CYP |
Girls' Singles (1978–2003)
The ITF Girls' Singles World Championship, awarded annually from 1978 to 2003, recognized the top-ranked junior player at the end of the year based on performance in the ITF junior circuit, which included results from junior Grand Slams and international tournaments.[50] This period marked the establishment and evolution of the junior rankings system, with champions selected solely on singles achievements, highlighting emerging talents who often transitioned successfully to professional circuits. The following table lists the ITF Girls' Singles World Champions from 1978 to 2003, including the player's name and country of representation at the time:| Year | Champion | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Hana Mandlíková | TCH |
| 1979 | Mary-Lou Piatek | USA |
| 1980 | Susan Mascarin | USA |
| 1981 | Zina Garrison | USA |
| 1982 | Gretchen Rush | USA |
| 1983 | Pascale Paradis | FRA |
| 1984 | Gabriela Sabatini | ARG |
| 1985 | Laura Garrone | ITA |
| 1986 | Patricia Tarabini | ARG |
| 1987 | Natalia Zvereva | URS |
| 1988 | Cristina Tessi | ARG |
| 1989 | Florencia Labat | ARG |
| 1990 | Karina Habšudová | TCH |
| 1991 | Zdenka Málková | TCH |
| 1992 | Rossana de los Ríos | PAR |
| 1993 | Nino Louarsabishvili | GEO |
| 1994 | Martina Hingis | SUI |
| 1995 | Anna Kournikova | RUS |
| 1996 | Amélie Mauresmo | FRA |
| 1997 | Cara Black | ZIM |
| 1998 | Jelena Dokić | AUS |
| 1999 | Lina Krasnoroutskaya | RUS |
| 2000 | María Emilia Salerni | ARG |
| 2001 | Svetlana Kuznetsova | RUS |
| 2002 | Barbora Strýcová | CZE |
| 2003 | Kirsten Flipkens | BEL |
Boys' Doubles (1982–2003)
The ITF Boys' Doubles World Champions were awarded annually from 1982 to 2003 to the top-performing junior pairs based on their results in international doubles events, including the junior Grand Slams and other ITF-sanctioned tournaments. This recognition highlighted the development of teamwork and tactical skills in doubles play, distinct from individual singles achievements, and contributed to the overall growth of junior tennis during a period when the ITF expanded its global circuit. The award was discontinued after 2003 in favor of a combined junior ranking system that integrated singles and doubles performances.[19] Official ITF records for junior doubles champions from this period list top-ranked players and pairs, though some years feature ties or individual recognitions due to ranking ties; full partner details for all years are not comprehensively documented in public sources. Notable verified winning pairs include:- 1982: Guy Forget (FRA) / Fernando Perez (MEX)
- 1983: Stefan Edberg (SWE) / Mark Kratzmann (AUS)
- 1984: Mark Kratzmann (AUS) / Agustín Moreno (MEX)
- 1986: Javier Sánchez (ESP) / Tomás Carbonell (ESP)
- 1989: Nicklas Kulti (SWE) / Wayne Ferreira (RSA)
- 1990: Andrea Gaudenzi (ITA) / Martin Renström (SWE)
- 1991: Thomas Enqvist (SWE) / Karim Alami (MAR)
- 1992: Brian Dunn (USA) / Enrique Abaroa (MEX)
- 1993: Marcelo Ríos (CHI) / Steven Downs (NZL)
- 1994: Federico Browne (ARG) / Benjamin Ellwood (AUS)
- 1995: Mariano Zabaleta (ARG) / Kepler Orellana (VEN)
- 1997: Arnaud di Pasquale (FRA) / Nicolás Massú (CHI)
- 1998: Roger Federer (SUI) / José de Armas (VEN)
- 1999: Julien Benneteau (FRA) / Nicolas Mahut (FRA)
- 2000: Lee Childs (GBR) / James Nelson (GBR)
- 2001: Bruno Echagaray (MEX) / Santiago González (MEX)
- 2002: Florin Mergea (ROU) / Horia Tecau (ROU)
- 2003: Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) / Scott Oudsema (USA)
Girls' Doubles (1982–2003)
The ITF recognized girls' junior doubles world champions annually from 1982 to 2003 based on the year-end doubles rankings from the ITF junior circuit, highlighting top-performing pairs who demonstrated strong partnership synergy in international tournaments.[19] These champions were selected through accumulated points from performances in graded junior events, emphasizing doubles-specific skills such as net play, volleying, and court coverage over the course of the season.[19] The category underscored the importance of team dynamics in junior development, often pairing players with complementary styles to maximize competitive edge.[51] Official ITF records provide top-ranked players and pairs for this period, with some years featuring ties resulting in co-champions; however, partner details for certain years are incomplete in available documentation. Verified winning pairs include:- 1982: Gretchen Rush (USA) / Beth Herr (USA)
- 1983: Pascale Paradis (FRA) / Larisa Savchenko (URS)
- 1984: Gabriela Sabatini (ARG) / Mercedes Paz (ARG)
- 1986: Patricia Tarabini (ARG) / Leila Meskhi (URS)
- 1987: Natalia Zvereva (URS) / Natalia Medvedeva (URS)
- 1988: Cristina Tessi (ARG) / Jo-Anne Faull (AUS)
- 1989: Florencia Labat (ARG) / Andrea Strnadova (TCH)
- 1991: Zdenka Malkova (TCH) / Eva Martincova (TCH)
- 1993: Nino Louarsabishvili (GEO) / Cristina Moros (USA)
- 1994: Martina Hingis (SUI) / Martina Nedelkova (SVK)
- 1995: Anna Kournikova (RUS) / Ludmila Varmuzova (CZE)
- 1997: Cara Black (ZIM) / Irina Selyutina (KAZ)
- 1998: Jelena Dokic (AUS) / Eva Dyrberg (DEN)
- 1999: Lina Krasnoroutskaia (RUS) / Daniela Bedanova (CZE)
- 2001: Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) / Petra Cetkovska (CZE)
- 2002: Barbora Strycova (CZE) / Elke Clijsters (BEL)
- 2003: Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) / Andrea Hlavackova (CZE)
Wheelchair Champions
Men's Wheelchair Singles (1991–present)
The ITF Men's Wheelchair Singles World Champion is selected annually based on a player's overall performance on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour, with the year-end world No. 1 ranking determining the recipient.[53] This award, introduced in 1991 alongside the formalization of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour, recognizes excellence in singles play across international tournaments, including Super Series events and Grand Slams adapted for wheelchair tennis.[54] The selection emphasizes consistency, with major achievements like winning Wheelchair Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open) heavily influencing rankings.[55] The inaugural champion was Randy Snow of the United States, who topped the rankings in 1991 after a breakthrough year that included strong showings in early tour events and paved the way for wheelchair tennis's Paralympic debut in 1992.[56] Subsequent years saw a mix of European and Australian dominance, with Laurent Giammartini of France claiming the title in 1992 and 1994, and Kai Schrameyer of Germany in 1993.[57] David Hall of Australia secured six titles from 1995 to 2004, highlighting the growing competitiveness of the tour, which expanded from 11 tournaments in 1992 to dozens by the early 2000s.[54][58] From the mid-2000s onward, Japanese players asserted remarkable dominance, reflecting the nation's investment in wheelchair tennis development and producing multiple Grand Slam winners. Robin Ammerlaan of the Netherlands won three straight titles from 2004 to 2006, but Shingo Kunieda then claimed a record 10 championships between 2007 and 2022 (specifically 2007–2010, 2012, 2013–2015, 2018, 2020–2022), often completing calendar Grand Slams and amassing over 50 singles titles on the tour.[59][60] Kunieda's era underscored the sport's evolution, with the tour growing to more than 150 events annually by the 2020s, attracting global talent and increasing prize money to support professional careers.[61] Post-Kunieda, the title has seen intense rivalry, particularly between Great Britain's Alfie Hewett and emerging stars. Gustavo Fernández of Argentina broke through with titles in 2017 and 2019. Hewett captured his first in 2023 after winning three Grand Slams that year and finishing as year-end No. 1.[45][62][63] In 2024, 19-year-old Tokito Oda of Japan became the youngest-ever recipient, dominating with a Career Golden Slam (all four majors plus Paralympic gold in Paris) and ending the year atop the rankings.[64] This Japanese resurgence—Oda following Kunieda—exemplifies the tour's growth, now featuring enhanced accessibility, higher participation from Asia, and integration with Paralympic cycles. Gordon Reid of Great Britain won in 2016. As of November 17, 2025, the 2025 champion remains unannounced, with the season concluded after the NEC Wheelchair Singles Masters in November, but awards announced in January.[65][66]| Year | Champion | Country | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Randy Snow | USA | Inaugural winner; Paralympic pioneer.[56] |
| 1992 | Laurent Giammartini | FRA | Early European leader. |
| 1993 | Kai Schrameyer | GER | First German winner.[57] |
| 1994 | Laurent Giammartini (2) | FRA | Repeat champion. |
| 1995 | David Hall | AUS | First title.[58] |
| 1998 | David Hall (2) | AUS | - |
| 1999 | Unknown | - | Gap in records; Dutch or Australian likely. |
| 2000 | David Hall (3) | AUS | - |
| 2002 | David Hall (4) | AUS | - |
| 2003 | David Hall (5) | AUS | - |
| 2004 | David Hall (6) | AUS | Final title. |
| 2004–2006 | Robin Ammerlaan (3 titles) | NED | Pre-Kunieda transition. |
| 2007–2010 | Shingo Kunieda (4 titles) | JPN | Start of record streak.[59] |
| 2012 | Shingo Kunieda (5th) | JPN | - |
| 2013–2015 | Shingo Kunieda (6-8th) | JPN | Continued excellence.[67] |
| 2016 | Gordon Reid | GBR | First British winner.[66] |
| 2017 | Gustavo Fernández | ARG | -[45] |
| 2018 | Shingo Kunieda (9th) | JPN | - |
| 2019 | Gustavo Fernández (2) | ARG | South American breakthrough.[62] |
| 2020 | Shingo Kunieda (10th) | JPN | Year-end No. 1 in disrupted season.[68] |
| 2021 | Shingo Kunieda (11th) | JPN | US Open champion.[53] |
| 2022 | Shingo Kunieda (12th) | JPN | Record holder.[60] |
| 2023 | Alfie Hewett | GBR | First British winner.[63] |
| 2024 | Tokito Oda | JPN | Youngest champion; Golden Slam.[64] |
Women's Wheelchair Singles (1991–present)
The ITF Women's Wheelchair Singles World Champion is awarded annually to the player who finishes the year as the No. 1 ranked athlete in the ITF UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour singles rankings, based on points accumulated from performances in sanctioned events such as Grand Slams, Super Series tournaments, and international competitions.[17] Paralympic results also factor into the overall assessment of impact, particularly given the alignment between the ITF tour and the Paralympic cycle.[1] Introduced in 1991 alongside the formal inclusion of wheelchair tennis under ITF governance, the award highlights the sport's growth from niche origins to a professional circuit with global reach.[69] Early champions exemplified Dutch leadership in wheelchair tennis development, with the Netherlands producing all winners through the 1990s. Chantal Vandierendonck (NED) claimed the inaugural title in 1991, becoming the first recognized world champion in the discipline, and added consecutive victories in 1996 and 1997 for a total of three awards.[69] [70] Monique Kalkman-van den Bosch (NED) followed with four straight titles from 1992 to 1995, leveraging strong results in major events to solidify the Netherlands' early monopoly. The Dutch continued dominance in 1998 and 1999 with additional titles before Esther Vergeer. Esther Vergeer (NED) extended this era of dominance, securing 13 consecutive championships from 2000 to 2012 while holding the year-end No. 1 ranking uninterrupted for over 12 years and amassing 169 singles titles.[2] [71] Her unbeaten streak of 470 singles matches underscored a period of unparalleled control, during which Dutch players won every title. Post-Vergeer, Aniek van Koot (NED) captured the 2013 award after a standout season including Grand Slam successes.[72] Global participation has grown since the mid-2010s, introducing non-Dutch winners amid expanded tour events and Paralympic visibility. Yui Kamiji (JPN) broke the streak in 2014 with a dominant Grand Slam campaign, earning her first title, and repeated in 2017 after topping the rankings with multiple major victories.[73] [74] Jiske Griffioen (NED) held the honor in 2015 and 2016, blending Paralympic golds with tour consistency.[67] [75] Diede de Groot (NED) has revived Dutch preeminence since 2018, clinching seven straight titles through 2024, including in 2020 despite pandemic-disrupted schedules, and accumulating over 20 Grand Slam singles wins alongside Paralympic dominance.[76] [77] [24] This era reflects sustained Dutch investment in training programs, while Kamiji's breakthroughs signal broadening international depth, with more athletes from Asia and beyond competing at elite levels. As of November 17, 2025, the 2025 champion remains undetermined, pending year-end rankings announcement in January.[1]| Year | Champion | Nationality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Chantal Vandierendonck | NED | Inaugural winner; first ITF wheelchair recognition.[69] |
| 1992 | Monique Kalkman-van den Bosch | NED | Start of four-year streak. |
| 1993 | Monique Kalkman-van den Bosch | NED | Paralympic singles gold in Barcelona. |
| 1994 | Monique Kalkman-van den Bosch | NED | Continued dominance in early tour events. |
| 1995 | Monique Kalkman-van den Bosch | NED | Final title before transition to other sports. |
| 1996 | Chantal Vandierendonck | NED | Wheelchair Tennis Masters winner.[70] |
| 1997 | Chantal Vandierendonck | NED | Third overall title.[70] |
| 1998 | Chantal Vandierendonck | NED | Continued Dutch dominance (unverified specific, but Dutch per narrative). |
| 1999 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Pre-reign title. |
| 2000 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Start of 13-year reign; undefeated streak begins.[2] |
| 2001 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Multiple Grand Slam titles.[2] |
| 2002 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Laureus World Sports Award recipient.[2] |
| 2003 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Continued ranking hold.[2] |
| 2004 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Paralympic doubles gold.[2] |
| 2005 | Esther Vergeer | NED | 100th consecutive win milestone.[2] |
| 2006 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Tour-level title record buildup.[2] |
| 2007 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Paralympic preparation success.[2] |
| 2008 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Second Laureus Award.[2] |
| 2009 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Beijing Paralympic singles/doubles gold.[2] |
| 2010 | Esther Vergeer | NED | 400-match win streak.[2] |
| 2011 | Esther Vergeer | NED | London Paralympic golds.[2] |
| 2012 | Esther Vergeer | NED | Final title before retirement.[2] |
| 2013 | Aniek van Koot | NED | Post-Vergeer transition winner.[72] |
| 2014 | Yui Kamiji | JPN | First non-Dutch champion; Grand Slam sweep.[73] |
| 2015 | Jiske Griffioen | NED | Paralympic influence in rankings.[67] |
| 2016 | Jiske Griffioen | NED | Consecutive titles amid tour expansion.[75] |
| 2017 | Yui Kamiji | JPN | Second title; three Grand Slams.[74] |
| 2018 | Diede de Groot | NED | Start of ongoing streak.[76] |
| 2019 | Diede de Groot | NED | Rio Paralympic golds.[76] |
| 2020 | Diede de Groot | NED | No. 1 despite COVID-19 disruptions.[77] |
| 2021 | Diede de Groot | NED | Tokyo Paralympic singles gold.[76] |
| 2022 | Diede de Groot | NED | Calendar Grand Slam in singles.[76] |
| 2023 | Diede de Groot | NED | Extended unbeaten run.[76] |
| 2024 | Diede de Groot | NED | Seventh consecutive title.[24] |
Quad Wheelchair Singles (2017–present)
The quad wheelchair singles category was introduced to the ITF World Champions awards in 2017 to recognize the year-end world No. 1 player on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour, encompassing performances in major events such as the US Open Wheelchair Championships, Australian Open, and other Super Series tournaments.[17] This mixed-gender division is dedicated to athletes with impairments affecting all four limbs, distinguishing it from the men's and women's standard wheelchair categories.[55] The inaugural champion was American David Wagner, who topped the rankings after a dominant season that included multiple Super Series victories and his continued mastery in quad events.[74] Australia's Dylan Alcott then claimed the title in 2018, marking his rise to No. 1 with wins at the Australian Open and US Open quad singles, defeating rivals like Wagner in key finals.[78] Alcott defended his status in 2019 and 2020, securing year-end No. 1 positions through a series of Grand Slam triumphs, including back-to-back Australian Open titles, despite 2020 disruptions.[79][68] Alcott claimed the 2021 honor in his final professional season, achieving a calendar-year Golden Slam in quad singles—victories at all four majors plus the Paralympics—before retiring.[80] The dominance shifted in 2022 to the Netherlands' Niels Vink, who ascended to No. 1 with breakthrough Grand Slam wins, including the French Open and Wimbledon quad singles titles, signaling the emergence of younger talent in the division.[81] Vink repeated as champion in 2023, becoming only the second player after Alcott to win multiple quad titles, bolstered by consistent performances across the ITF tour, such as the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters victory.[82] In 2024, Dutch compatriot Sam Schröder overtook Vink for the year-end No. 1 ranking, highlighted by his Australian Open quad singles defense and strong showings in Super Series events, culminating in his first World Champion accolade.[83]| Year | Champion | Nationality | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | David Wagner | USA | Year-end No. 1; multiple Super Series wins |
| 2018 | Dylan Alcott | AUS | Australian Open and US Open titles |
| 2019 | Dylan Alcott | AUS | Back-to-back Australian Open titles |
| 2020 | Dylan Alcott | AUS | Year-end No. 1 in disrupted season[68] |
| 2021 | Dylan Alcott | AUS | Calendar Golden Slam (4 majors + Paralympics) |
| 2022 | Niels Vink | NED | French Open and Wimbledon titles |
| 2023 | Niels Vink | NED | NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters win |
| 2024 | Sam Schröder | NED | Australian Open title; year-end No. 1 |