The Best of 2024
The Best of 2024: Tabilo and Díaz Acosta debut ATP Tour honors
Shang, Lehecka, Thompson and Mpetshi Perricard also signed this milestone
December 11, 2024
Alejandro Tabilo celebrates his first ATP Tour title at the ASB Classic 2024 in Auckland.
By ATP Editorial Board
Few moments in a professional tennis player’s career can compare to the taste of their first ATP Tour title.
In 2024, a total of 12 players managed to debut their showcase, lifting a trophy for the first time as seasoned veterans or emerging new faces. In its season review series, ATPTour.com honors the tennis players who entered the champions’ club this year.
Alejandro Tabilo (Auckland)
Tabilo started his 2024 strongly at the ASB Classic in Auckland. The Chilean surpassed the qualifying phase and barely lost a set in six games during a magical week, catapulting himself into the world’s Top 50 for the first time. He followed in the footsteps of Cristian Garín and Nicolás Jarry as the only active Chilean champion on the ATP Tour.
“The showstopper is incredible, very emotional,” Tabilo said. “I never thought it would happen this week. I feel very happy with the tennis I have played, I am very excited.” Read Tabilo: Champion For The First Time
Jack Draper (Stuttgart)
The third time was the charm for Draper at the Boss Open in Stuttgart, where he won his first ATP Tour crown. Present in his third tour-level final, the Briton completed an epic comeback against two-time champion Matteo Berrettini.
In a week of unprecedented milestones for Draper, the victory also cemented his status as British No. 1. This title laid the foundations for a stellar close to the season, which ended as No. 15 in the PIF ATP Rankings with two ATP Tour titles under his belt (Vienna).
“Honestly, it means everything to me,” Draper said. “I’ve been working hard for a long time to live these moments. Hopefully it’s a reflection of all my effort.” Read Draper: Champion For The First Time
Shang Juncheng (Chengdu)
#NextGenATP star Shang etched his name into the history books by conquering the Chengdu Open. At just 19 years old, he became the second Chinese champion on the ATP Tour following in the footsteps of Wu Yibing in Dallas 2023. In addition, he established a milestone of precocity by becoming the first tennis player born in 2005 or later years to lift a trophy. ATP Tour.
“I never imagined I would get it so early in my career,” Shang said. “All [los jugadores chinos] They support me, we encourage each other. In some way, we compete among all of us.” Read Shang: Champion For The First Time
Jiri Lehecka (Adelaide)
In a battle between two big hitters with the first ATP Tour title on the table, Lehecka made a calculated comeback to defeat Draper in the final of the Adelaide International. After being overwhelmed in the first round, the Czech designed a more aggressive plan until he dominated the exchanges and won a two-hour and eight-minute duel.
“It’s hard to find the words, I feel very excited to win my first title here in Adelaide,” said Lehecka. “One of my goals was to win a title in 2024 and I am happy to make it happen in the first week.” Read Lehecka: Champion For The First Time
Jordan Thompson (Los Cabos)
Jordan Thompson scored a double in Los Cabos. The Australian sealed his first ATP Tour crown just two hours after crowning the doubles trophy alongside Max Purcell at the Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo. Thompson’s individual victory was marked by his impressive comeback in the quarterfinals against Alex Michelsen, whom he beat from 6-0, 3-0 before securing victory.
“It means everything,” Thompson said. “I grew up dreaming of playing on the ATP Tour and I never thought I would lift a championship trophy. I’m still not aware of it, but it is one of the best moments of my career, if not the best.” Read Thompson: Champion For The First Time
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (Lyon)
The sweetest possible victory must occur in your hometown. Ask Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who surprised everyone on his way to the trophy at the Open Parc in Lyon. Playing in only his third ATP Tour final draw, the explosive Frenchman proved to be much more than a formidable server.
His victory in Lyon marked the beginning of the path for the Frenchman, who would win his first ATP Tour title at the Swiss Indoors Basel months later.
“It means a lot to me. “There was a lot of dedication, a lot of hard training and doubts about my game,” said Mpetshi Perricard. “I feel especially happy about this win in Lyon, my hometown.” Read Mpetshi Perricard: First Time Champion
Jan-Lennard Struff (Munich)
Jan-Lennard Struff’s dream moment finally came at home on the fourth chance. After losing his three previous finals, the German completed a commanding performance to defeat Taylor Fritz and take the BMW Open trophy in Munich.
“The feeling is awesome, and to get it in my country is incredible,” Struff said. “I’ve waited a long time. I’m 33 years old and I’ve been on the circuit for a long time. It’s a wonderful feeling to achieve it here in Germany.” Read Struff: Champion For The First Time
Luciano Darderi (Cordoba)
In the third final between qualifiers In ATP Tour history, Luciano Darderi stayed calm to secure his first title against Facundo Bagnis at the Córdoba Open. Thanks to this milestone, the Italian rose 60 positions to No. 76 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
“I feel great. I can’t believe I won my first ATP title,” Darderi said. “Last week I lost in the [segunda] round of a Challenger”. Read Darderi: Champion For The First Time
Nuno Borges (Bastad)
Nuno Borges found an iconic path to his first ATP Tour title at the Nordea Open in Bastad. The Portuguese outclassed Rafael Nadal on the Swedish clay, breaking the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s serve five times in the final.
“This is crazy, in tennis sometimes what you expect doesn’t happen,” Borges said. “I know we all wanted Rafa to win, even a part of me too, but something bigger inside me has driven me today.” Read Borges: Champion For The First Time
Marcos Giron (Newport)
The wait is over for Marcos Giron at 30 years old, conquering the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport. The American showed his tenacity by saving a match point before beating his compatriot Alex Michelsen in the final.
“Better late than never. We accept it,” Giron said with a smile. “It’s something very special. For me, it’s been years of hard work, dedication and support from my family, friends and coaches.” Read Giron: Champion For The First Time
Benjamin Bonzi (Metz)
Benjamin Bonzi’s incredible late-season form culminated in glory at the Moselle Open in Metz. The Frenchman, coming from the qualifying phase, came into the tournament with 14 wins in his last 15 matches, including two ATP Challenger Tour titles. The Frenchman took advantage of that inertia to make his way to his first ATP Tour cup.
“I wasn’t expecting a week like this,” Bonzi said. “It’s crazy to end the year this way.” Read Bonzi: First Time Champion
Facundo Díaz Acosta (Buenos Aires)
Facundo Díaz Acosta completed a dream week at the IEB+ Argentina Open, where he chained five victories without surrendering a set. With this impressive triumph, including a great victory over Nicolás Jarry in the final, Díaz Acosta joined Rafael Nadal as the only left-handed champion in the history of the tournament.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment with my team for a long time,” said the Argentine. “I still don’t understand how I won the tournament without losing sets.” Read Díaz Acosta: Champion For The First Time
Source: https://www.atptour.com/es/news/best-of-2024-first-time-winners
