Year |
No. 1 player |
Sources of ranking and tournament results summary |
1968 | Rod Laver (AUS) |
Rankings
- Laver ranked No. 1 by:
- Panel of journalists for the 'Martini and Rossi' Award.[420]
- Panel of 15 journalists (unanimous).[421]
- Ulrich Kaiser, from a panel of 18 experts (unanimous).[422]
- Joseph McCauley, World Tennis.[423]
- Lance Tingay.[424]
- Rino Tommasi.[425]
- Bud Collins.[426]
- The Times.[427]
Year summary
The Open Era began in April and at least 10 open tournaments were played with professionals winning 8 and amateurs 2 with the pros leading in matches won 199 to 45. Most pros played either the National Tennis League or World Championship Tennis circuits, so only 3 tournaments featured all the best players: 1) Wimbledon, where Rod Laver defeated Tony Roche in the finals, after they beat Arthur Ashe, an amateur, and Ken Rosewall in the semi-finals; 2) the Pacific Southwest Open, where Laver defeated Rosewall, who defeated Ashe in the SFs; and 3) the US Open, where Ashe defeated Tom Okker, a "national registered" professional (Okker was awarded the first prize money at the US Open), with Laver losing in the 4th round. In major pro events with both NTL and WCT players, Laver won both the U.S. Pro at Longwood and the last-ever French Pro at Roland Garros, both over Newcombe. Overall, Laver won 13 titles, although 5 of his wins were in 4-man invitationals; his wins included 7 of the 11 NTL tournaments and he was 1–0 vs. Ashe and 5–2 vs. Rosewall. Ashe won 10 tournaments, including the U.S. Amateur Championships, and 8 other amateur titles and was 11–1 in the Davis Cup, which allowed only amateurs and national registered professionals to participate. |
1969 | Rod Laver (AUS) |
Rankings
Year summary
Rod Laver won the Grand Slam: At Wimbledon Laver beat John Newcombe, who defeated Tony Roche in the SFs; at the US Open Laver defeated Roche; at the French Open, Laver beat Ken Rosewall, after they beat Okker and Roche in the semifinals (7 of the top 10 players played); and, at the Australian Open Laver defeated Roche in the SFs (7 of top 10 played). Of the 8 tournaments with at least 6 of the top 10 players participating, Laver won 4 (he played all 8), including: the U.S. Pro Indoor and the Wembley Pro, both over Roche; South Africa over Okker; and the U.S. Pro over Newcombe; while among the other 4 events, Roche won Sydney over Laver. Laver won 18 tournaments, including 6 of the 9 National Tennis League events, for a 106–16 record and was 3–0 vs Okker, 2–1 vs Newcombe but only 4–5 vs Roche. Roche won 5 titles with 5 runner-ups with a 63–13 record[e] |
1970 | Rod Laver (AUS) John Newcombe (AUS) Ken Rosewall (AUS) |
Rankings
- Laver ranked No. 1 by:
- Robert Geist (co-ranked with Newcombe and Rosewall).
- Panel of 12 journalists which made the WCT draw for 1971, with Rosewall No. 2.[434]
- Rex Bellamy, with Rosewall No. 2.[435]
- John Newcombe.[436]
- Newcombe ranked No. 1 by:
- Robert Geist (co-ranked with Laver and Rosewall).
- Lance Tingay, with Rosewall and Laver No. 2.[424]
- Joseph McCauley, World Tennis, with Rosewall No. 2.[437]
- Bud Collins, with Rosewall and Laver No. 2.[426]
- Mike Gibson (Wimbledon referee).[438]
- Tennis magazine (Germany).[439]
- Rosewall ranked No. 1 by:
- Robert Geist (co-ranked with Laver and Newcombe).
- Panel of 10 international journalists for the 'Martini and Rossi' Award, with 97 points (out of 100), with Laver No. 2 (89 pts).[440]
- Rino Tommasi, with Newcombe No. 2.[425]
- Judith Elian, with Newcombe No. 2.[438]
Year summary
Newcombe won Wimbledon final over Rosewall, the strongest and largest draw field that year; Rosewall won the US Open over Newcombe and Roche (SFs) (Rod Laver lost 4th round at both). Of the 5 other tournaments with 8 of the top 10 players playing, Laver won 4: the WCT U.S. Pro Indoor over Roche; the WCT Dunlop Sydney Open over Rosewall; the Grand Prix Pacific Southwest Open over Newcombe; and the Grand Prix Wembley Pro. In the 5th, the U.S. Pro (joint Grand Prix-WCT), Roche beat Laver. Of the next 9 events with 4 or more of the top 10 players, Laver won 2 of the 5 he entered. In total, Laver won 12 ATP events, plus the Tennis Champions Classic, a series of two-player events, defeating Rosewall in the final, and 2 other invitational events. He was 84–14 including 5–0 vs. Rosewall, 3–0 vs. Newcombe, and 1–2 vs. Roche. |
1971 | John Newcombe (AUS) Ken Rosewall (AUS) Stan Smith (USA) |
Rankings
- Newcombe ranked No. 1 by:
- Judith Elian (co-ranked with Smith).[441]
- The 'Martini and Rossi' Award, voted for by 11 journalists, with 96 out of 110 points (co-ranked with Smith).[442]
- Robert Geist (co-ranked with Rosewall and Smith).
- Lance Tingay, with Smith No. 2.[424]
- Bud Collins, with Smith No. 2.[426]
- Joseph McCauley, World Tennis, with Smith No. 2.[443]
- Rex Bellamy, with Smith No. 2.[444]
- Frank Rostron (co-ranked with Newcombe).[445]
- Rosewall ranked No. 1 by:
- Rino Tommasi, with Laver No. 2.[425]
- Robert Geist (co-ranked with Newcombe and Smith).
- Smith ranked No. 1 by:
- The 'Martini and Rossi' Award, voted for by 11 journalists, with 96 out of 110 points (co-ranked with Newcombe).[442]
- Judith Elian (co-ranked with Newcombe).[441]
- Robert Geist (co-ranked with Newcombe and Rosewall).
- Frank Rostron (co-ranked with Newcombe).[445]
- Ilie Năstase.[446]
Year summary
WCT and independent players played separate circuits with top WCT players playing only 1 or neither of the U.S. and French Opens in order to rest. Wimbledon, which had most top players playing, was won by John Newcombe over Stan Smith and Ken Rosewall (SFs). The US Open was won by Smith defeating Kodeš, who beat Newcombe in the 1st round (event had 7 of the top 10; Laver and Rosewall of WCT absent). Smith won 6 titles overall, including 3 significant Grand Prix events, and was 70–13.[447] Newcombe also won the U.S. Pro Indoor over Laver for a total of 5 titles for a 53–14 record, including 1–1 vs. Smith, 3–1 vs. Rosewall and 1–1 vs. Laver. |
1972 | Ken Rosewall (AUS) Stan Smith (USA) |
Rankings
- Rosewall ranked No. 1 by Rino Tommasi, with Laver No. 2.[425]
- Smith ranked No. 1 by:
- 'Martini and Rossi' Award, voted for by a panel of journalists, with 97 points. Năstase was No. 2 (91 points).[448]
- Judith Elian.[441]
- Lance Tingay.[424]
- Neil Amdur, World Tennis.[449]
- Bud Collins.[426]
- Rex Bellamy, with Năstase No. 2.[450]
- Frank Rostron.[451]
Year summary
WCT and independent players played separate circuits most of the year with WCT players banned from the French Open, Wimbledon and the Davis Cup by the ILTF. An agreement allowed WCT players to play the US Open and Grand Prix events thereafter, but the top players of the two groups did not play each other aside from Ilie Năstase defeating Arthur Ashe (WCT) in the finals of the US Open after Ashe beat Stan Smith in the QFs. Smith won the Pacific Southwest Open, an "A" Grand Prix tournament with some WCT players (Rosewall lost QFs; Nastase and Ashe lost 3rd round; Laver and Newcombe absent), the Stockholm "A" Grand Prix, which had some lower-ranked WCT players, as well as the depleted Wimbledon over Năstase. Smith won 4 of the 7 "A" or "B" Grand Prix he entered and 9 titles overall for a 79–12 record (including 7–1 in the Davis Cup; defeated Nastase in the finals) with a 4–1 record vs. Nastase. Năstase also won the Masters over Smith (no WCT players) for 12 titles in total (2 "A" or "B" Grand Prix) for a 110–19 record. |
The ATP ranking was introduced in 1973 to establish objective, standardized tournament seedings. |
1973 |
Ilie Năstase (ROM) John Newcombe (AUS) |
Rankings
- Năstase ranked No. 1 by:
- The new ATP point rankings (based on average points earned per event excluding the Masters and WCT Finals, minimum 12 events), Newcombe No. 2.[452]
- Martini and Rossi' Award, voted for by a panel of journalists.[453]
- International poll of 17 tennis writers.[454]
- Tennis Magazine (U.S.), with Newcombe No. 2.[455]
- Bud Collins, with Newcombe No. 2.[426]
- Rino Tommasi, with Connors No. 2.[425]
- Rex Bellamy, with Okker No. 2.[456][f]
- Newcombe ranked No. 1 by:
- Lance Tingay, with Smith No. 2.[424]
- Judith Elian, with Năstase No. 2.[441]
Year summary
Ilie Năstase won the French Open (no other the top players made the SFs) and the year-end Masters defeating Tom Okker and Jimmy Connors (SFs) (John Newcombe made SFs; Stan Smith lost round robin). Newcombe beat Jan Kodeš to win the US Open after they defeated Ken Rosewall and Smith in the SFs (Nastase lost 2nd round) and won the Australian Open, Rosewall, who lost in the 3rd round, being the only other top 10 player entered. Nastase won 15 of 31 events he entered, including 3 of 5 USTLA Indoor Circuit events he played and 2 Group A Grand Prix tournaments (of 6 played), including the Italian Open; he was 1–0 vs. Newcombe and Smith and 4–1 vs. Connors. Newcombe only won 1 other title but was runner-up in 5, including in 2 of the 3 Group A Grand Prix events he entered. Smith and Newcombe did not play each other, apart from a climactic Davis Cup match in the final at Cleveland, probably the finest match of the year, won by Newcombe. Nastase lost to Smith in the Davis Cup semi-final. |
1974 | Jimmy Connors (USA) |
Rankings
Year summary
Jimmy Connors won Wimbledon and the US Open, both over 39-year-old Ken Rosewall (who defeated John Newcombe at both (QF and SF)), plus the Australian Open (Newcombe lost QFs; 3 top 10 players played and its ATP points were equal to a mid-level ("B") Grand Prix tournament), but was banned from playing the French Open by its organizers because he signed to play World TeamTennis with a season overlapping the event. Connors won 15 titles on a record of 99–4, including 3 of the 6 top-level ("AA") Grand Prix events he entered (including the US Clay Court over Björn Borg, their only match). Connors did not play the WCT circuit in the winter/spring instead playing the USLTA's indoor circuit, winning 7 of his titles, and did not play Newcombe or Vilas this year. Newcombe won 10 events, including 4 of 10 in 1 of the 3 groups of the WCT circuit, the non-tour affiliated Palm Springs (with 7 of top 10 players), and the WCT Finals over Borg (Guillermo Vilas and Rosewall did not play) and played few GP events, winning 3 mid-level events, defeated Rosewall in a final; Newcombe was 2–0 vs. Borg. Vilas won the year-end Masters defeated Ilie Năstase in the finals, plus defeated Newcombe (their only match) and Borg in the round robin (Connors absent; Laver and Rosewall ineligible) plus 6 clay GP events (out of 20), including 3 AAs out of 9, but did not make the QFs of a major. |
The ATP Player of the Year award was introduced in 1975, but the ATP ranking year-end points leader wasn't always awarded the ATP Player of the Year.[g] |
1975 | Arthur Ashe (USA) (ATP Player of the Year) Jimmy Connors (USA) (ATP year-end points leader) |
Rankings
- Connors finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Vilas No. 2, Borg No. 3 and Ashe No. 4.[464]
- Ashe was awarded the inaugural ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Connors ranked No. 1 by Tommasi, with Vilas No. 2.[425]
- Ashe ranked No. 1 by all other sources. Bellamy,[466] Collins,[426] Elian[441] and Lorge[467] ranked Borg No. 2; Tingay ranked Orantes No. 2;[424] World Tennis[468] and Tennis Magazine (U.S.)[469] ranked Connors No. 2. Ashe was awarded the 'Martini and Rossi' Award, voted for by a panel of journalists.[470]
Year summary
Arthur Ashe won Wimbledon defeating Jimmy Connors (their only match of the year) and Björn Borg (in the SFs) (Guillermo Vilas lost QFs; Manuel Orantes absent); Manuel Orantes defeated Connors on the new clay at the US Open (Connors defeated Borg in SFs; Vilas also made SFs; Ashe lost 4th round); and Ilie Năstase won the Masters over Borg and Vilas (Borg beat Ashe in SFs; Orantes lost in round robin; Connors absent). Ashe won 9 tournaments (out of 29) including the WCT Finals over Borg (Connors, Vilas and Orantes ineligible and mostly did not play the WCT circuit), 2 top-tier ("AA") Grand Prix titles (out of 10 entered) and 4 of his 9 WCT group events. Ashe was 97–18 including 4–3 vs. Borg, 1–1 vs. Vilas and 1–2 vs. Orantes. Borg beat Vilas (was 3–1 vs. Vilas on the year) to win both the French Open (Orantes lost 1st round; Ashe and Connors absent) and the U.S. Pro AA Grand Prix event, won 1 "A" Grand Prix event, and won 2 of his 9 WCT group events for a 77–17 record. Connors also made the finals of the Australian Open losing to John Newcombe (they were the only top 10 players competing) and won 9 tournaments, none of them AA Grand Prix events (he only entered 2 of those beating Borg a second time in the SFs of one) with an 82–8 record. Orantes won 8 tournaments, including 3 AA Grand Prix events, one being the US Clay Court (over Ashe), and was 87–18 (4–0 vs. Vilas and 1–0 vs. Connors). |
1976 | Björn Borg (SWE) (ATP Player of the Year) Jimmy Connors (USA) (ATP year-end points leader) |
Rankings
- Connors finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Borg No. 2.[471]
- Borg was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Connors was ranked No. 1 by World Tennis,[472] Tennis Magazine (U.S.),[473] Collins,[474] Tingay,[424] Barrett,[475] Tommasi,[425] Bodo[citation needed] and Elian.[citation needed] All ranked Borg No. 2 except for Tommasi who ranked Nastase instead. Connors also ranked No. 1 over Borg for 1976 by 23/26 players asked at the 1977 U.S. Pro Indoor, with two abstentions and 1 vote for Borg.[414]
- Borg ranked No. 1 by Tennis Magazine (France).[476]
Year summary
Björn Borg won Wimbledon over Ilie Năstase (Jimmy Connors and Guillermo Vilas made QFs; Manuel Orantes absent) and Connors won the US Open over Borg and Vilas (Borg beat Nastase in SFs and Orantes in QFs). Connors won 12 tournaments, including 3 top-tier Grand Prix (GP) events of 6 entered (1 being the US Clay Court), plus the U.S. Pro Indoor over Borg and the non-tour affiliated Palm Springs (8 of top 10 players playing), defeating Borg in the SFs, compiling a 90–8 record (4–0 vs. Borg). Borg won 7 titles including 1 top-tier GP event (the U.S. Pro) of 2 entered, and the WCT Finals over Vilas (Connors, Orantes and Nastase did not play) compiling a 63–14 record. |
1977 | Björn Borg (SWE) (ATP Player of the Year) chosen by majority of sources in 1978. Jimmy Connors (USA) (ATP year-end points leader)
Guillermo Vilas (ARG) (World Tennis Player of the Year, among other sources) |
Rankings
- Connors finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Vilas No. 2, Borg No. 3.[477]
- Borg was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[478]
- Borg was ranked No. 1 by Tennis Magazine (France),[479] Tennis Magazine (U.S.),[480] Barrett,[475] Lorge,[481] Collins,[474] Tingay,[424] Tommasi,[425] Elian[482] and Laver.[482]
- Vilas was ranked No. 1 by Collins and Barrett by the 2010s.[483][484][485]
- Vilas was ranked No. 1 by World Tennis,[486] France Presse,[487] Tennis de France,[citation needed] Le Livre d'or du Tennis,[488] Scott,[489] Bodo,[490] Quidet,[491] and Sutter. The International Tennis Hall of Fame inscription for Vilas stated "it was generally considered Vilas was the real No. 1 for 1977".[492]
Year summary
Björn Borg won Wimbledon over Jimmy Connors and Vitas Gerulaitis (Guillermo Vilas lost in 3rd round) while Vilas won the US Open over Connors (Borg and Gerulaitis lost 4th round, Borg retiring due to injury) and a partially depleted French Open over Brian Gottfried (Borg and Connors played World TeamTennis; Gerulaitis and 2 further top 10 players absent). Borg won 13 of 20 tournaments for an 81–7 match record, including 3–0 vs. Vilas (a 4th match between them in the final of the Johannesburg Open, a top-tier event, was cancelled) and 2–1 vs. Connors. Vilas won 17 out of 32 tournaments for a 145–14 record (including 4-match non-ATP title at Rye, New York and 6–0 in the Davis Cup), plus won 50 matches in a row, although some events had no top-10-ranked players; for the year Borg was 16–3 vs. Top 10 players; Vilas 13–6. Vilas was 2–0 vs. Connors and made the finals of the January Australian Open (he was the only top 10 player who entered) losing to Roscoe Tanner. |
The ITF World Champions were first named in 1978. From now on, players listed in the number one column are ATP Point leaders, ATP Players of the Year and ITF World Champions only. |
1978 | Björn Borg (SWE) (ATP Player of the Year & ITF World Champion) Jimmy Connors (USA) (ATP year-end points leader) |
Rankings
- Connors finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Borg. No. 2.[493]
- Borg was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Borg was named the first ITF World Champion.[494]
- Tennis Magazine (France),[495] World Tennis[496], Collins[474] and Tingay[424] ranked Borg first and Connors second.
- Tennis Magazine (U.S.)[497] and Tommasi[425] ranked Connors first, Borg second.
Year summary
Björn Borg won Wimbledon, defeating Jimmy Connors, and the French Open (Connors absent, but 7 top 10 players participated). Connors won the first hard-court US Open defeating Borg. Borg won 9 titles out of 17 ATP events entered compiling a 70–7 ATP record; he also won 9 additional titles in 10 special or invitational tournaments (draws of 4 to 16 players) plus was 9–0 in the Davis Cup. Connors won 10 titles, including the U.S. Pro Indoor (most top players present), in 16 ATP events entered for a 66–6 record, plus won 4 titles in special or invitational events. Borg had an 18–3 record versus top 10 players (defeated 7 more at special events) while Connors was 14–3 versus top 10 players. Borg was 3–2 vs. Connors (including 1–1 at special events). |
1979 | Björn Borg (SWE) |
Rankings
- Borg finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with McEnroe No. 3.[498]
- Borg was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Borg was named ITF World Champion.[499]
- World Tennis,[500] Tennis Magazine (US),[501] Tennis Magazine (France),[502] Collins,[474] Tingay[424] and Tommasi[425] ranked Borg first, McEnroe second.
Year summary
Björn Borg won 3 of the 4 most important events: Wimbledon defeating Jimmy Connors in SFs (John McEnroe lost 4th round); the French (Connors lost SFs; McEnroe absent but 8 of the top 10 players participated); and the Masters defeating McEnroe in SFs (Connors lost in SFs). McEnroe won the US Open defeating Connors in SFs (Borg lost QFs), and the WCT Finals defeating Borg and Connors (SFs). Borg won 4 of the 5 Super Series events he played and 13 titles out of 20 tournaments for an 84–6 record. McEnroe won 2 of 6 Super Series he played for 10 titles total with a 91–14 record, including 8–0 in the Davis Cup. Borg was 4–0 vs. Connors and 4–2 vs. McEnroe while McEnroe-Connors were 2–2. |
1980 | Björn Borg (SWE) |
Rankings
- Borg finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with McEnroe No. 2.[503]
- Borg was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Borg was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- World Tennis,[504] Tennis Magazine (U.S.),[505] Tennis Magazine (France),[506] Collins,[474] Tingay[424] and Tommasi[507] ranked Borg. first and McEnroe second.
Year summary
Björn Borg won 3 of the 4 most important tournaments and lost in 5 sets in the finals of the 4th, the US Open. At Wimbledon he defeated John McEnroe (who beat Jimmy Connors in the SFs); at the Masters he defeated Connors (SFs) (McEnroe was 0–3); and he won the French (Connors lost SFs; McEnroe lost 3rd round). Borg also won 3 of the 5 Super Series events he entered and 9 titles in total in 14 events for a 70–6 record. McEnroe won the US Open over Borg and Connors (SFs), 2 of the 8 Super Series he entered (including the U.S. Indoor over Connors) and 9 titles in total for an 84–18 record. Borg was 3–1 vs. McEnroe. |
1981 | John McEnroe (USA) |
Rankings
- McEnroe finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Borg No. 4.[508]
- McEnroe was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- McEnroe was named the ITF World Champion.[509]
- World Tennis,[510] Tennis Magazine (France),[511] Tennis Magazine (U.S.),[512] Collins,[474] Tingay[424] and Tommasi[507] ranked McEnroe first, Borg second.[513]
Year summary
John McEnroe won Wimbledon and the US Open defeating Björn Borg in the finals of both after Borg defeated Jimmy Connors in the SFs of both. Borg captured the French Open defeating Lendl (McEnroe and Connors lost QFs). McEnroe also won the depleted WCT Finals, with none of the year's other top 5, plus 2 of the 5 Super Series tournaments he entered for 10 titles with a 76–10 record, including 7–1 in the Davis Cup. McEnroe was 4–0 vs. Borg (including an invitational event), 1–1 vs. Connors, but 0–3 vs. Lendl. Borg played a reduced schedule winning 3 titles in the 9 events with a 35–6 record (2–0 vs. both Lendl and Connors) and semi-retired in October. |
1982 | Jimmy Connors (USA) (ATP Player of the Year & ITF World Champion) John McEnroe (USA) (ATP and Nixdorf year-end points leader) |
Rankings
- McEnroe finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Connors No. 2, Lendl No. 3.[514]
- McEnroe finished top of the Nixdorf year-end point rankings, with Lendl No. 2, Connors No. 3.[515][516]
- Connors was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Connors was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- World Tennis,[517][518] Tennis Magazine (France),[519] Tennis Magazine (U.S.),[520] Barrett,[521] Collins[474] and Tingay[424] all ranked Connors first, Lendl second.
- Tommasi ranked Lendl first, McEnroe second.[507]
Year summary
Jimmy Connors won both Wimbledon, defeating John McEnroe (Ivan Lendl and Guillermo Vilas absent), and the US Open, defeating Lendl and Vilas (Lendl beat McEnroe in SFs). Lendl won both the Masters (first year of 12-player knock-out format) over McEnroe and Connors (McEnroe defeated Vilas in SFs) and the WCT Finals, beating McEnroe (only 1 other top 10 player present). Connors won 7 out of 18 tournaments, but did not win a Grand Prix Super Series out of 4 entered, compiling a 78–10 record. Lendl won 15 out of 23 events (although 8 were WCT events, most with no top 10 players entered) including 2 of the 4 Super Series he played (one being Cincinnati with 6 of the top 10), for a 106–9 record. Connors was 1–2 vs. Lendl and 2–2 vs. McEnroe with Lendl 4–1 vs. McEnroe. |
1983 | John McEnroe (USA) |
Rankings
- McEnroe finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings.[522]
- McEnroe finished top of the Nixdorf year-end point rankings.[523]
- McEnroe was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- McEnroe was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- Tingay[424] and Tennis Magazine (U.S.)[524] had McEnroe first, Connors second. World Tennis,[525] Tennis Magazine (France)[526] and Collins[474] had McEnroe first, Wilander second.
- Tommasi[507] had Wilander first, Lendl second, McEnroe third.
Year summary
John McEnroe won Wimbledon defeating Ivan Lendl in the SFs (Jimmy Connors lost 4th round; Mats Wilander 3rd round) and the Masters (knock-out format) defeated Lendl and Wilander (Lendl beat Jimmy Connors in SFs) to claim the ATP No. 1 Ranking. Wilander lost to Yannick Noah in the French Open. For the first time since 1971 the Australian Open featured top-ranked players (but only 3 of the top 10) as Wilander defeated Lendl and McEnroe to capture the title. In the depleted WCT Finals McEnroe beat Lendl (other top 5 absent). Of the Grand Prix Super Series, McEnroe won 3 of 6 entered, including the U.S. Pro Indoor, again over Lendl, while Wilander won 2 of 6, including Monte Carlo (with 6 of top 10 playing) and Cincinnati (7 of top 10), over McEnroe. McEnroe was 63–11 with 7 titles and 2 titles in non-ATP events and was 5–2 vs Lendl, but 1–3 vs Wilander. Wilander won 9 titles in total with an 82–11 record, including 8–0 in the Davis Cup. |
1984 | John McEnroe (USA) |
Rankings
- McEnroe finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings.[527]
- McEnroe was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- McEnroe was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- World Tennis[528] and Tommasi[507] ranked McEnroe first, Connors second. Tennis Magazine (U.S.),[529] Collins[474] and Tingay[424] ranked McEnroe first, Lendl second.
Year summary
John McEnroe lost only 3 matches (82 wins) and won 3 of the 4 most important tournaments losing in 5 sets in the finals of the 4th, the French Open. At Wimbledon he defeated Ivan Lendl after defeated Mats Wilander in the SFs (Lendl defeated Jimmy Connors in SFs); at the US Open he defeated Lendl and Connors (Wilander lost QFs); and at the Masters (12-player knock-out format) he again defeated Lendl after they beat Wilander and Connors, respectively, in the SFs. At the French Open Lendl came from down 2 sets to defeated McEnroe after they defeated Wilander and Connors in the SFs. McEnroe missed the Australian Open with a wrist injury (Lendl lost 4th round; Connors absent; 3 of the top 10 players played). McEnroe also won a depleted WCT Finals over Connors (Lendl and Wilander absent). McEnroe won 13 events (8 indoors, 2 grass, 2 hard, 1 clay) of 15, including 4 of the 5 Super Series he played including the U.S. Pro Indoor over Lendl and the Canadian Open (which had 6 and 7 of the top 10). McEnroe was 5–1 vs Lendl, 6–0 vs Connors and 3–0 vs Wilander, plus 7–1 in the Davis Cup, his loss coming in the finals as Sweden won the Cup. Lendl won 3 events, including 1 of 6 Super Series, and was a finalist in 8 with a 62–16 record. |
1985 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) |
Rankings
- Lendl finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings.[530]
- Lendl was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Lendl was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- Tommasi[507] ranked Lendl first, McEnroe second. Collins[474] ranked Lendl first, Becker second. Tingay[424] and World Tennis[531] ranked Lendl first, Wilander second.
Year summary
Ivan Lendl won the US Open over John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors (Mats Wilander lost SFs) and the 16-player knockout Masters over Boris Becker (Wilander lost QFs; McEnroe 1st round; Connors absent). Wilander beat Lendl and McEnroe at the French Open (Lendl beat Connors in SFs). Lendl also won the WCT Finals defeated Connors in the SFs (McEnroe and Wilander lost QFs) and won 5 of the 7 Super Series tournaments he entered, including the Tokyo Indoor (with 7 of the top 10) over Wilander. Lendl won 11 of the 17 events he entered with an 84–7 record overall, including 3–2 vs McEnroe and 3–1 vs Wilander. Wilander won 3 titles (0 of 7 Super Series) but was a finalist in 10 events compiling a 69–21 record. |
1986 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) |
Rankings
- Lendl finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Becker No. 2.[532]
- Lendl was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Lendl was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- Barrett,[533] Collins,[474] Tingay,[424] Tommasi[507] and World Tennis[534] ranked Lendl first, Becker second.
Year summary
Ivan Lendl won 3 of the 4 most important tournaments of the year, but lost in the finals of the 4th, Wimbledon. Lendl won the US Open over Miloslav Mečíř and Stefan Edberg, with Mecir beating Boris Becker (SF); the French Open defeating Mikael Pernfors, who defeated Becker in the QFs; and the Masters defeated Becker and Wilander (event returned to 8-player round robin). Becker won Wimbledon defeated Lendl with Wilander losing in the 4th round. There was no Australian Open that year as it was switching to January from December. Lendl defeated Wilander to win the Lipton International (with 9 of the top 10 players present), this year upgraded to a Super Series event with a 128-player draw considered by a few to be the "5th major" (was worth more ATP points than the Australian Open this year through 1989). Lendl won 2 other Super Series (of 7 entered), the U.S. Pro Indoor (6 of the top 10 present in its last year as a Super Series) and the Italian Open (8 of top 10 present) and finished the year with 9 titles and a 74–6 record, but only 2–3 vs Becker. Becker won 3 of 7 Super Series, including the Canadian Open (6 of the top 10), for 6 titles altogether and a 69–13 record. |
1987 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) |
Rankings
- Lendl finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Edberg No. 2, Wilander No. 3.[535]
- Lendl was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Lendl was named the ITF World Champion.[536]
- Collins[474] ranked Lendl first, Wilander second. World Tennis,[537] Barrett[538] and Tommasi[507] ranked Lendl first, Edberg second. Tingay[424] ranked Lendl first, Cash second.
Year summary
Lendl won the US Open, the French Open and the Masters, each time defeating Mats Wilander in the finals; Wilander defeated Boris Becker in the SFs of the French Open and Stefan Edberg in the SFs of the other two (Edberg lost 2nd round of French). Lendl lost to Pat Cash in the finals of Wimbledon after Lendl defeated Edberg in the QFs (Wilander also lost QFs). Edberg won the last grass-court Australian Open, with 6 of the top 10 players present, over Cash, who defeated Lendl in the SFs (Wilander absent). Lendl also won 3 of the 5 Super Series tournaments he entered for 8 titles in total for a 74–7 record, including 2–1 vs Edberg and 3–0 vs Wilander. Edberg won 3 Super Series out of 7 for 7 titles total with a 78–12 record with a 2–2 split against Wilander. Wilander won 2 of 6 Super Series, including the Italian Open and Monte Carlo (both 8 of top 10) with 5 titles total with a 71–18 record. |
1988 | Mats Wilander (SWE) |
Rankings
- Wilander finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Lendl No. 2.[539]
- Wilander was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Wilander was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- World Tennis,[540] Barrett,[541] Collins[474] and Tingay[424] ranked Wilander first, Edberg second.
- Tommasi[507] ranked Becker first, Lendl second, Wilander third.
Year summary
Mats Wilander captured 3 major titles: the first hard-court Australian Open over Pat Cash (6 of the top 10 players present); the French Open defeating Henri Leconte and Andre Agassi (Lendl lost QFs); and, the US Open defeated Lendl 6–4 in the 5th set, an exact reversal of their final from the previous year, after Lendl defeated Agassi in the SFs. Wilander also won 2 Super Series of 6 played, including the Lipton International over Jimmy Connors, and 6 titles total with a 53–11 record. Lendl won 3 Super Series out of 3, including the Canadian Open (6 of the top 10) and the Italian Open, for a 41–8 record only playing 10 events. |
1989 | Boris Becker (GER) (ATP Player of the Year & ITF World Champion) Ivan Lendl (TCH) (ATP year-end points leader) |
Rankings
- Lendl finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings, with Becker No. 2.[542]
- Becker was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Becker was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- Tennis Magazine (France),[543] Barrett,[544] Collins,[474] Tingay[424] and World Tennis[545] ranked Becker first and Lendl second.
Year summary
Boris Becker won Wimbledon over Stefan Edberg and Ivan Lendl (SFs) and the US Open over Lendl (Edberg lost 4th round). Lendl won the Australian Open (was worth 260 ATP points compared to 380 or 400 for the other 3 majors; 6 of the top 10 players were present) while Becker lost in the 4th round and Edberg lost in the QFs. Becker won 3 other titles (in 13 events), including 1 Super Series of 5, the Paris Indoor (7 of the top 10) over Edberg, compiling a 64–8 record including 4–2 vs. Edberg. Becker was also undefeated in 7 Davis Cup matches beating Andre Agassi, Mats Wilander and Edberg as West Germany won for the second straight year. Lendl also won 4 Super Series of 4, including the Lipton International, Stockholm and the German Open (all had 6 of top 10), and 5 other titles for a 79–7 match record, but was 0–2 vs. Becker. |
The ATP ranking's average system was replaced with a best of system in 1990.[h] |
1990 | Stefan Edberg (SWE) (ATP) Ivan Lendl (TCH) (ITF) |
Rankings
- Edberg finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Becker was No. 2, Lendl No. 3, and Agassi No. 4.[546]
- Lendl was named the ITF World Champion.[547]
- Tennis Magazine (France)[548] ranked Edberg first, Agassi second and Lendl third. Barrett,[549] Collins[550][i] and World Tennis[551] ranked Edberg first, Lendl second.
Year summary
For the first time since 1977, no player won more than one of the 5 most important tournaments of the year. Stefan Edberg defeated Boris Becker and Ivan Lendl at Wimbledon. Edberg also won three of the seven ATP Championship Series events (the former Super Series) he played, including Indian Wells and the Paris Indoor (both with 8 of the top 10 players playing). Edberg lost the final of the Australian Open to Lendl retiring in the third set due to injury (the event had the top 4 and 5 of the top 10 players; its ATP points were increased to be 360 vs 400 for other majors). Agassi defeated Edberg to win the year-ending ATP World Tour Championship (renamed from the "Masters"; points were now awarded for it in the ATP point rankings), after they defeated Becker and Lendl in the SFs, and beat Edberg again to win the Lipton International (his only Championship Series win of six). Edberg won seven titles from 12 finals for a 70–15 record, while Agassi won 4 titles for a 45–12 record and was absent from the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Becker was 71–15 with 5 titles from 10 finals including 1 Champship Series of 7 (Stockholm, with 7 of top 10) and Lendl was 54–12 with 5 titles winning no Champship Series of 3. The top 4 had close records against each other except Agassi was 3–0 vs Becker. |
1991 | Stefan Edberg (SWE) |
Rankings
- Edberg finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Courier was No. 2.[552]
- Edberg was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Edberg was named the ITF World Champion.[553]
- Collins[474] ranked Edberg first, Stich second. Barrett[554] ranked Edberg first, Courier second.
Year summary
For the second consecutive year, no player won more than one of the five most important tournaments. Jim Courier did win the French Open, defeating Andre Agassi, Michael Stich and Stefan Edberg (QFs), in succession (Agassi beat Boris Becker in the SFs), and two of the top ATP Championship Series events; the Lipton International and Indian Wells, his only victories of the year. Stefan Edberg won the US Open defeated Courier, after they defeated Ivan Lendl and 39-year-old Jimmy Connors in the SFs (Becker lost 3rd round). |
1992 | Jim Courier (USA) |
Rankings
- Courier finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Edberg was No. 2.[555]
- Courier was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Courier was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- Barrett[556] and Collins[474] ranked Courier first, Edberg second.
Year summary
Jim Courier won both the Australian Open (with 8 of the top 10 playing), defeating Stefan Edberg in the final, and the French Open, defeated Petr Korda and Andre Agassi (Pete Sampras lost QFs and Edberg 3rd round). Andre Agassi won Wimbledon defeated Goran Ivanišević (Sampras and Edberg lost QFs; Courier lost 3rd round). Edberg won the US Open defeated Pete Sampras, after they defeated Michael Chang and Courier in the SFs. Boris Becker won the year-ending ATP Tour World Championship defeated Courier in the final after they defeated Ivanisevic and Sampras in the SFs. Courier (the Italian Open), Edberg, Sampras (Cincinnati with 8 of the top 10), Edberg won three titles total. Courier was 69–18 (including 1–0 vs Edberg and 1–2 vs Sampras), while Edberg was 68–24 (1–2 vs Sampras). |
1993 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
Rankings
- Sampras finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Stich was No. 2, and Courier No. 3.[557]
- Sampras was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Sampras was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- Barrett,[556] Collins[474] and Tennis Magazine (France)[558] ranked Sampras first and Courier second.
Year summary
Pete Sampras won Wimbledon (defeating Jim Courier in the final, who defeated Stefan Edberg in the SFs; Michael Stich lost 4th round), the US Open (defeated Cédric Pioline; Courier and Stich lost in 4th and 1st rounds), and the Lipton International (his only Championship Series win). Sergi Bruguera won the French Open, defeated Courier in the final and Sampras in the QFs (Stich lost 4th round), and five titles including one ATP Championship Series. Courier won the Australian Open (all of the top 10 players were to play but 2 withdrew with injury) defeated Stefan Edberg (who defeated Sampras in the QFs) and Michael Stich in the SFs, plus 2 Champ Series (the Italian Open and Indian Wells). Stich won the ATP Tour World Championship defeated Sampras in the final and Courier in the round robin (Courier and Bruguera eliminated in round robin) and two Championship Series (one being Stockholm with 8 of the top 10). Sampras was 85–16 with 8 titles from 23 events and was 2–0 vs. Courier and 1–1 vs. Stich. Stich won 6 titles, was 76–22 and 1–1 vs. Courier. Courier won 5 titles with a 58–17 record. |
1994 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
Rankings
- Sampras finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Agassi was No. 2.[559]
- Sampras was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Sampras was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- Barrett[560] and Collins[474] ranked Sampras first, Agassi second.
Year summary
Pete Sampras won four of the six most important tournaments of the year: Australian Open defeating Todd Martin (had 7 of the top 10 players; Boris Becker and Andre Agassi absent); Wimbledon defeated Goran Ivanišević, who defeated Becker in the SFs (Agassi lost 4th round); the ATP Tour World Championship defeated Becker (after they defeated Agassi and Bruguera in the SFs); and, the Lipton International Championship Series defeated Agassi. Agassi won the US Open defeated Michael Stich (Sampras lost 4th round; Becker 1st round). Sampras won two more ATP Championship Series out of five played (the Italian Open and Indian Wells both with 8 of the top 10) for ten titles in total and a 77–12 record (3–1 vs Agassi and 1–2 vs Becker). Agassi won two of seven Championship Series, including the Paris Indoor (9 of top 10), and five titles total for a 52–14 record, including 1–0 vs Becker. |
1995 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
Rankings
- Sampras finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Agassi was No. 2 and Muster No. 3.[561]
- Sampras was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Sampras was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
- Barrett[562] and Collins[474] ranked Sampras first, Agassi second.
Year summary
Pete Sampras won Wimbledon defeating Boris Becker, who defeated Andre Agassi in the SFs (Thomas Muster absent), and the US Open defeated Agassi, who defeated Becker in the SFs (Muster lost 4th round). Agassi won the Australian Open defeated Sampras (Muster lost 3rd round and Becker 1st round)(from this year forward it usually had as many of the top 10 players play as the other majors). Sampras also won two of nine ATP Championship Series tournaments played and a total of 5 titles from 9 finals (out of 21 events) for a 72–16 record (2–3 vs Agassi, 3–0 vs Becker and 0–1 vs Muster). Agassi also won 3 of 6 Champ Series, including the Lipton International defeated Sampras (all the other Champ Series had at least 8 of the top 10 players participate), for 7 titles out of 16 events for a 73–9 record. |
1996 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
Rankings
- Sampras finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Chang was No. 2, and Kafelnikov No. 3.[563]
- Sampras was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Sampras was named the ITF World Champion.[564]
- Collins[474] ranked Sampras first, Chang second.
Year summary
Pete Sampras won the US Open, defeating Michael Chang and Goran Ivanišević (SFs), and the ATP World Tour Championship defeated Boris Becker (a reverse of their round robin match) after they defeated Ivanisevic and Richard Krajicek in the SFs. Sampras did not win any ATP Super Nine events (renamed from Champ Series). Sampras won eight titles for a 65–11 record including 3–0 vs Chang, 2–2 vs Kafelnikov and 2–2 vs Ivanisevic. Chang won one Super Nine and two other titles with a 65–19 record (1–2 vs Ivanisevic but did not play Kafelnikov). |
1997 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
Rankings
- Sampras finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Rafter was No. 2.[565]
- Sampras was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Sampras was named the ITF World Champion.[494]
Year summary
Pete Sampras won Wimbledon (defeating Cédric Pioline in the final), the Australian Open (defeated Carlos Moyá in the final, who defeated Michael Chang in the SFs) and the year-ending ATP Tour World Championship (defeated Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the final and Jonas Björkman in the SFs). Pat Rafter won the US Open, his only title of the year, defeated Greg Rusedski in the final after they defeated Chang and Bjorkman in the SFs (Sampras lost 4th round). Sampras also won two ATP Super Nine events and eight titles in total for a 55–12 record, including 5–0 vs Rafter. Rafter finished 65–29 and was the runner-up in 7 tournaments. |
1998 | Pete Sampras (USA) |
Rankings
- Sampras finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Rios was No. 2, and Rafter No. 4.[566]
- Sampras was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Sampras was named the ITF World Champion.[567]
- Tennis Magazine (U.S.) ranked Rafter first.[citation needed]
Year summary
For the 1st year since 1991, no player won more than one of the five most important tournaments. Pete Sampras won Wimbledon over Goran Ivanišević, plus three other titles, none of them an ATP Super Nine. Pat Rafter won the US Open defeating Mark Philippoussis and Sampras (SFs) plus won the preceding two ATP Super Nine (Canada and Cincinnati, beating 5 top 10 players) and three other titles, but did not advance past the 4th round in any other major. Rios won three Super Nines, including the Lipton International and Indian Wells, and four other titles but withdrew from the ATP Tour Championship after one match with an injury. Sampras was 61–17 (did not play Rios); Rafter 60–21 (2–0 vs Sampras, did not play Rios or Corretja); Rios 68–17 (did not play Corretja). |
1999 | Andre Agassi (USA) |
Rankings
- Agassi finished top of the ATP year-end point rankings. In the ranking, Kafelnikov was No. 2, and Sampras No. 3.[568]
- Agassi was awarded ATP Player of the Year.[465]
- Agassi was named the ITF World Champion.[569]
- Tennis Magazine (France) ranked Agassi first, Sampras second and Kafelnikov third.[570]
Year summary
Andre Agassi won the French Open (defeating Andrei Medvedev in the final), the US Open (defeated Todd Martin in the final), a Super Nine event and two other titles for a 63–14 record. Pete Sampras won Wimbledon and the year-ending ATP Tour World Championship (defeated Agassi in both finals), won a Super Nine, but lost in the 2nd round of the French and was absent from the Australian Open and the US Open, the latter due to injury, only playing in 13 events. Sampras was 40–8 with 5 titles and was 4–1 vs. Agassi. Yevgeny Kafelnikov won the Australian Open (defeated Thomas Enqvist in the final; Agassi lost in 4th round), won an ATP Super Nine, and made the SFs of the US Open and the ATP Tour Championships plus won two other titles for a 61–32 record (1–3 vs Agassi and did not play Sampras). |
With a streamlined ATP points ranking system,[571] the ATP Player of the Year is required to be awarded to the year-end No. 1 points leader every year since 2000. |
2000 | Gustavo Kuerten (BRA) |
Rankings
- Kuerten finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[572] In the ranking, Safin was No. 2.[573]
- Kuerten was named the ITF World Champion.[574]
Year summary
Gustavo Kuerten won the French Open (defeating Magnus Norman in the final), the year-ending Tennis Masters Cup, renamed from ATP Tour World Championship (defeating Andre Agassi in the final, a win that enabled him to pass Marat Safin for the ATP No. 1 ranking, 4195 points to 4120) and three other titles, including an ATP Masters (renamed from Super Nine). Safin won the US Open (defeated Pete Sampras in the final) and six other titles, including 2 Masters. Kuerten was 63–22, including 2–0 vs Safin and 1–1 vs Sampras; Safin was 73–27, including 2–1 vs Sampras. |
2001 | Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) |
Rankings
- Hewitt finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[575] In the ranking, Kuerten was No. 2.[576]
- Hewitt was named the ITF World Champion.[577]
Year summary
Lleyton Hewitt won the US Open (defeated Pete Sampras in the final) and the year-ending Tennis Masters Cup (defeated Sébastien Grosjean in the final) as well as four other titles but no ATP Masters, but did make the SFs of five of those. Gustavo Kuerten won the French Open (defeated Àlex Corretja in the final) and five other titles including two Masters. Hewitt was 80–18, including 1–0 vs Kuerten and 1–1 vs Agassi; Kuerten 60–18 including 0–1 vs Agassi. |
2002 | Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) |
Rankings
- Hewitt finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[578] In the ranking, Agassi was No. 2.[579]
- Hewitt was named the ITF World Champion.[580]
Year summary
Lleyton Hewitt won Wimbledon (defeated David Nalbandian in the final), the Tennis Masters Cup (defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final; Marat Safin was 0–3 and Andre Agassi was injured), one ATP Masters tournament and two other titles. Agassi won three Masters titles. Hewitt was 61–15 (2–1 vs Agassi); Agassi 53–12. |
2003 | Andy Roddick (USA) |
Rankings
- Roddick finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[581] In the ranking, Federer was No. 2, and Ferrero No. 3.[582]
- Roddick was named the ITF World Champion.[583]
- Tennis Magazine (France) ranked Roddick first, Ferrero second and Federer third.[584]
Year summary
Andy Roddick won the US Open (defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final), two ATP Masters and three other titles. Roger Federer won Wimbledon (defeated Mark Philippoussis in the final and Roddick in SFs), the Tennis Masters Cup (defeated Andre Agassi in the final and Roddick in the SFs; Ferrero was 0–3) and three other titles but did not reach the QFs of any other major tournament or win a Masters. Ferrero won the French Open (defeated Martin Verkerk in the final) plus two Masters and one other title. Roddick was 72–19; Federer 78–17 and Ferrero 67–21. |
2004 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
Rankings
- Federer finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[585] In the ranking, Roddick was No. 2, and Hewitt No. 3.[586]
- Federer was named the ITF World Champion.[587]
- Tennis Magazine (France) ranked Federer first, Hewitt second and Roddick third.[588]
Year summary
Roger Federer won three major singles titles: the Australian Open (defeated Marat Safin in the final; Andy Roddick made SFs), Wimbledon (defeated Roddick in the final) and the US Open (defeated Lleyton Hewitt in the final). Federer also won the Tennis Masters Cup (defeated Hewitt in the final; Roddick and Safin made SFs). Federer also won three Masters and 11 titles total compiling a 74–6 record, including 3–0 vs. Roddick, 6–0 vs Hewitt and 3–0 vs Safin. Roddick won an ATP Masters while Hewitt won none with both winning 4 titles. |
2005 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
Rankings
- Federer finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[589] In the ranking, Nadal was No. 2.[590]
- Federer was named the ITF World Champion.[591]
Year summary
Roger Federer reached all four major semi-finals winning Wimbledon (defeated Andy Roddick in the final) and the US Open (defeated Andre Agassi in the final). Rafael Nadal won the French Open (defeated Mariano Puerta in the final) but lost before the 4th round in the other three Grand Slam events. Federer won four of the five ATP Masters events he entered; Nadal won four of eight. Federer was 81–4 winning 11 titles. Nadal also won 11 tournaments and was 79–10. Federer was 1–1 vs Nadal, 2–0 vs Roddick and 3–0 vs Hewitt. |
2006 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
Rankings
- Federer finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[592] In the ranking, Nadal was No. 2.[593]
- Federer was named the ITF World Champion.[594]
Year summary
Roger Federer won three major singles titles and made the finals of all four. He won the Australian Open (defeated Marcos Baghdatis in the final; Nadal was absent), Wimbledon (defeated Rafael Nadal in the final), and the US Open (defeated Andy Roddick in the final; Nadal made SFs). Federer also won the Tennis Masters Cup (defeated James Blake in the final and Nadal in the SFs). Nadal won the French Open (defeated Federer in the final). Federer also won four ATP Masters events (of seven played) while Nadal won two. Federer compiled a record of 92–5 (4 losses came in his 6 matches with Nadal) winning 12 titles and reached the finals of 16 of the 17 events he entered. Nadal won five titles in total for a 59–12 record. |
2007 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
Rankings
- Federer finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[595] In the ranking, Nadal was No. 2 and Djokovic No. 3.[596]
- Federer was named the ITF World Champion.[597]
Year summary
Roger Federer won three major singles titles and made the finals of all four tournaments. He won the Australian Open (defeated Fernando González in the final; Rafael Nadal lost in QFs), Wimbledon (defeated Nadal in the final), and the US Open (defeated Novak Djokovic in the final; Nadal lost in QFs). Federer also won the year-ending Tennis Masters Cup (defeated David Ferrer in the final and Nadal in the SFs). Nadal won the French Open (defeated Federer in the final). Federer won two ATP Masters events while Nadal won thee. Federer won eight titles total with a 68–9 record including 3–2 vs Nadal and 3–1 vs Djokovic. Nadal was 70–15 (5–2 vs Djokovic) with six titles |
2008 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) |
Rankings
- Nadal finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[598] In the ranking, Federer was No. 2, and Djokovic No. 3.[599]
- Nadal was named the ITF World Champion.[600]
Year summary
Rafael Nadal won the French Open (defeated Federer for fourth consecutive year, the last three in the final, and Novak Djokovic in SFs), Wimbledon (defeated Federer in the final 9–7 in the fifth set) and also claimed the Olympic Gold. Federer won the US Open (defeated Andy Murray after they beat Djokovic and Nadal in the SFs). Nadal won three ATP Masters, Djokovic and Murray two, Davydenko and Tsonga one, and Federer none. Nadal won eight titles with an 82–11 record including 4–0 vs Federer and 4–2 vs Djokovic. Federer won four titles with a 66–15 record including 2–1 vs Djokovic. |
2009 | Roger Federer (SUI) |
Rankings
- Federer finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[601] In the ranking, Nadal was No. 2 and Djokovic No. 3.[602]
- Federer was named the ITF World Champion.[603]
Year summary
Roger Federer reached all four major finals, winning two: the French Open (defeated Robin Söderling and Juan Martín del Potro in the SFs; Rafael Nadal lost in the 4th round) and Wimbledon (defeated Andy Roddick 16–14 in the 5th set of the final; Nadal was absent). Nadal won the Australian Open (defeated Federer in the final). Nadal lost in round robin). Nadal won three ATP Masters, Federer, won two. Federer was 61–12 (1–1 vs Nadal and 2–3 vs Djokovic) with four titles from eight finals; Nadal 66–14 (4–3 vs Djokovic) with five titles. |
2010 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) |
Rankings
- Nadal finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[604] In the ranking, Federer was No. 2, and Djokovic No. 3.[605]
- Nadal was named the ITF World Champion.[606]
Year summary
Rafael Nadal won three major singles titles: the French Open (defeated Robin Söderling in the final; Roger Federer lost in the QFs), Wimbledon (defeated Tomáš Berdych after they beat Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in the SFs; Federer lost in QFs;) and the US Open (defeated Djokovic in the final, who defeated Federer in the SFs). Federer won the Australian Open (defeated Murray in the final; Nadal lost in QFs) and the year-ending ATP World Tour Finals (defeated Nadal after they beat Djokovic and Murray in the SFs). Nadal won three ATP Masters, Federer one. Nadal won seven tournaments total with a 71–10 record (1–1 vs Federer and 2–0 vs Djokovic). Federer won five titles with a 65–13 record (4–1 vs Djokovic). |
2011 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
Rankings
- Djokovic finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[607] In the ranking, Nadal was No. 2, and Federer No. 3.[608]
- Djokovic was named the ITF World Champion.[609]
Year summary
Novak Djokovic won three major singles titles: the Australian Open (defeated Andy Murray in the final and Roger Federer in the SFs; Rafael Nadal lost in QFs), Wimbledon (defeated Nadal after they beat Federer and Murray in the SFs) and the US Open (defeated Nadal after they beat Federer and Murray in the SFs). Nadal won the French Open (defeated Federer after they beat Murray and Djokovic in the SFs). Djokovic won five ATP Masters, a new season-record, one for Nadal, and compiled a match record of 70–6 (6–0 versus Nadal and 4–1 versus Federer) winning ten titles. Nadal was 69–15 (3–1 vs Federer) with three titles in ten finals. |
2012 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
Rankings
- Djokovic finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[610] In the ranking, Nadal was No. 2, and Murray No. 3.[611]
- Djokovic was named the ITF World Champion.[612]
Year summary
Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open (defeated Rafael Nadal 7–5 in the fifth set in a 5-hour 53 minute match, after they defeated Andy Murray and Roger Federer in the SFs) and the ATP World Tour Finals (defeated Federer in the final; Murray lost round robin and Nadal absent) to clinch the ATP No. 1 ranking. Federer won Wimbledon (defeated Murray in the final and Djokovic in SFs; Nadal lost in 2nd round). Murray won the US Open (defeated Djokovic in the final; Federer lost in QFs and Nadal was absent due to injury) and also the Olympic Gold. Djokovic and Federer each won thee ATP Masters. Djokovic's match record was 75–12 while Federer's was 71–12 both winning six titles with Djokovic leading the head-to-head 3–2. |
2013 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) (ITF) Rafael Nadal (ESP) (ATP) |
Rankings
- Nadal finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[613] In the ranking, Djokovic was No. 2, Ferrer No. 3, and Murray No. 4.[614]
- Djokovic was named the ITF World Champion.[615]
Year summary
Rafael Nadal won the French Open (defeated David Ferrer in the final and Novak Djokovic in the SFs) and the US Open (defeated Djokovic in the final). Djokovic won the Australian Open (defeated Andy Murray after they defeated Ferrer and Roger Federer in the SFs) and the ATP World Tour Finals (defeated Nadal in the final who beat Federer in the SFs; Murray was absent). Nadal won five ATP Masters events versus three for Djokovic compiling a 75–7 record winning ten titles; Djokovic had a 74–9 record winning 7 titles; they had a 3–3 record versus each other. |
2014 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
Rankings
- Djokovic finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[616] In the ranking, Federer was No. 2, and Nadal No. 3.[617]
- Djokovic was named the ITF World Champion.[618]
Year summary
Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon (defeated Roger Federer in the final). Djokovic also won four ATP Masters to two for Federer. Djokovic was 61–8 with seven titles while Federer was 73–12 (3–2 vs Djokovic) with five titles in 11 finals. |
2015 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
Rankings
- Djokovic finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[619] In the ranking, Murray was No. 2, and Federer No. 3.[620]
- Djokovic was named the ITF World Champion.[621]
- Tennis Magazine (France) ranked Djokovic first, Federer second, Murray third.[622]
Year summary
Novak Djokovic made all four major singles finals, winning three. He won the Australian Open (defeated Andy Murray in the final; Roger Federer lost in the 3rd round), Wimbledon and the US Open plus the ATP Finals (defeated Federer in the finals of all three) but lost in the French Open final to Stan Wawrinka after beating Rafael Nadal in the QFs (Murray lost SFs and Federer lost in QFs). Djokovic won a record six ATP Masters, a season-record and a total of 11 events compiling record of 82–6 (6–1 vs Murray and 5–3 vs Federer) making the finals of 15 of 16 events. Federer was 63–11 with six titles from 11 finals (one Masters) with 2–0 record vs. Murray. Murray was 74–14 with four titles including two Masters. |
2016 | Andy Murray (GBR) |
Rankings
- Murray finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[623] In the ranking, Djokovic was No. 2.[624]
- Murray was named the ITF World Champion.[625]
Year summary
Djokovic won two major titles, the Australian Open and the French Open (defeated Andy Murray in both finals). By doing so he became the second player in the Open Era to win all four major tournaments consecutively, although not in a calendar year (a "Non-calendar Year Grand Slam"). Murray then won Wimbledon (defeated Milos Raonic; Djokovic lost in the 3rd round), the Olympic Games (no ATP points awarded)[626] and the ATP World Tour Finals (defeated Djokovic in the final, a match that decided the ATP No. 1 ranking). Djokovic won four ATP Masters and Murray three. Stan Wawrinka won the US Open defeating Djokovic in the finals; Murray lost in the quarterfinals. |
2017 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) |
Rankings
- Nadal finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[627] In the ranking, Federer was No. 2.[628]
- Nadal was named the ITF World Champion.[629]
- Federer was ESPN's 2017 MVP.[630]
Year summary
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal split the major titles. Federer won the Australian Open (defeated Rafael Nadal in the final) and Wimbledon for the record 8th time (defeated Marin Čilić; Nadal lost in the 4th round). Nadal won the French Open (defeated Stan Wawrinka; Federer absent) for the record 10th time and the US Open (defeated Kevin Anderson in the final; Federer lost in the QFs). Federer won three of the four ATP Masters he played while Nadal won two of the nine. Nadal had a 67–11 record with six titles in 18 events, thus earning more points than Federer who was 52–5 with seven titles in 12 events (did not play any clay events). Federer was 4–0 vs Nadal. |
2018 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
Rankings
- Djokovic finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[631] In the ranking, Nadal was No. 2.[632]
- Djokovic was named the ITF World Champion.[633]
Year summary
From July to November, Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon (defeated Kevin Anderson and Rafael Nadal in the SFs 10–8 in the 5th set to even their match-up for the year at 1–1), the US Open (defeated Juan Martín del Potro who defeated Nadal in the SFs), and two out of four ATP Masters tournaments to rise from No. 22 to No. 1 in the ATP rankings unseating Nadal (36 weeks at No. 1 this year). Djokovic had no other titles and finished with a 49–11 record. Nadal won the French Open (defeated Dominic Thiem; Djokovic lost QFs), three ATP Masters out of four played, and one other title to go 45–4 in 9 events (injured in March and after the US Open). |
2019 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) |
Rankings
- Nadal finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[634] In the ranking, Djokovic was No. 2.[635]
- Nadal was named the ITF World Champion.[636]
Year summary
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic split the four majors. Nadal won the French Open for the record 12th time (defeated Dominic Thiem, after they defeated Roger Federer and Djokovic in the SFs) and the US Open (defeated Daniil Medvedev; Djokovic lost in 4th round) passing Djokovic (after 52 weeks), for the ATP No. 1 ranking the second last week of the season to become, at 33, the oldest year-end No. 1 in the Open Era. Djokovic won the Australian Open (defeated Nadal) and Wimbledon (defeated Federer 13–12 (3) in the fifth set; Federer defeated Nadal in SFs). Nadal and Djokovic both won two ATP Masters; Djokovic made one other final but no SFs, while Nadal made no final and four SFs. Nadal was 53–7 while Djokovic was 54–11. The Big 3 had 1–1 records against each other. |
2020 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) (ATP) |
Rankings
- Djokovic finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[637] In the ranking (best of 24 months),[638] Nadal was No. 2, Thiem No. 3, Medvedev No. 4.[639]
- The ITF named no World Champion this year.[494]
- Tennis Magazine (U.S.) ranked Djokovic first, Thiem second and Nadal third.[640][641]
Year summary
Year disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic, thus making the season pandemic-shortened.[642] The top three players split the major tournaments which were played in the season: Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open (defeated Dominic Thiem in the final). Rafael Nadal claimed the French Open for the record 13th time (defeated Novak Djokovic in the final). Wimbledon was cancelled due to the pandemic. Dominic Thiem won the US Open (defeated Alexander Zverev) to win his first major title while first-seed Djokovic was disqualified from the tournament in the 4th round. Only three ATP Masters tournaments were played during the season with Djokovic winning two of them. Daniil Medvedev won the third Masters event and ended the year by beating the top three players to clinch the ATP Finals title.[643] Djokovic had a 41–5 match winning record, Nadal was 27–7 and Thiem was 25–9. Djokovic was 1–1 vs. both Thiem and Nadal, while Thiem was 2–0 vs. Nadal. Djokovic won four titles overall, Nadal two and Thiem one.[644][645] |
2021 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
Rankings
- Djokovic finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[646] In the ranking, Medvedev was No. 2, and Zverev No. 3.[647]
- Djokovic was named the ITF World Champion.[648]
Year summary
Novak Djokovic won three major singles titles and made the finals of all four tournaments. He won the Australian Open (defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final), French Open (defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final), and Wimbledon (defeated Matteo Berrettini in the final). Medvedev won the US Open (defeated Djokovic in the final). Djokovic won five tournaments overall including one Masters title, Medvedev won four tournaments including one Masters title (he also won all his singles contests for the Russian team that won the ATP Cup and Davis Cup titles),[649] and Zverev won six tournaments including the ATP Finals, the Olympics and two Masters titles. Djokovic had a 55–7 record (2–1 vs. Medvedev and 3–2 vs. Zverev), Medvedev had a 63–13 record (3–1 vs. Zverev) and Zverev a 59–15 record. |
2022 | Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) (ATP) Rafael Nadal (ESP) (ITF) |
Rankings
- Alcaraz finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year).[650]
- Nadal was named the ITF World Champion.[651]
Year summary
Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open (defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final) and also claimed the French Open for the record 14th time (defeated Casper Ruud in the final).[652][653] Carlos Alcaraz won the US Open (defeated Ruud in the final) to win his first major title and become the youngest world No. 1 in ATP rankings history.[654] Alcaraz won five tournaments overall including two Masters with a 57–13 record, while Nadal was 39–8 with four titles, but no Masters. They had a 1–1 record versus each other. |
2023 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) |
Rankings
- Djokovic finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year). In the ranking, Alcaraz was No. 2, and Medvedev No. 3.
- Djokovic was named the ITF World Champion.[655]
Year summary
Novak Djokovic won three major titles and made the finals of all four tournaments. He won the Australian Open (defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final), the French Open (defeating Casper Ruud in the final), the US Open (defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final) and also claimed the ATP Finals title for the record 7th time (defeating Jannik Sinner in the final). Carlos Alcaraz won Wimbledon (defeating Djokovic in the final). Djokovic, Alcaraz and Medvedev won two ATP Masters titles each. |
2024 | Jannik Sinner (ITA) (ATP) |
Rankings
- Sinner finished the season as the ATP year-end No. 1 (ATP Player of the Year). In the ranking, Zverev was No. 2, and Alcaraz No. 3.
- The ITF named no World Champion this year, despite Sinner and Alcaraz being the two contenders.
Year summary
Jannik Sinner won two major titles and the ATP Finals. He won the Australian Open (defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final), the US Open (defeating Taylor Fritz in the final) and also claimed the ATP Finals title (defeating Fritz in the final). Carlos Alcaraz won the French Open (defeating Alexander Zverev in the final and Sinner in the SFs) and Wimbledon (defeating Novak Djokovic in the final). Sinner, Zverev, and Alcaraz won three, two, and one ATP Masters titles, respectively. Alcaraz won the Olympic Silver (lost Gold to Djokovic in the final; Zverev lost in the QFs; and Sinner was absent). Sinner and Alcaraz had a 3–0 record in the singles of Davis Cup (Zverev was absent). Alcaraz was 3–0 vs. Sinner and 2–2 vs. Zverev, while Sinner was 1–0 vs. Zverev. |