Another year in tennis has come and gone, as fans now eagerly await the announcement of the 2024 ATP award winners.
Tennis isn’t just about winning Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events, as for many players on the ATP Tour, those achievements aren’t quite within reach.
For many, the chance to be recognized for their talents comes at the end of season ATP Awards week, when a light can be shone on some of the sport’s more underrated stars.
Awards such as ATP Comeback Player of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and the Sportsmanship Award, are all up for grabs in 2024.
One award, however, voted for by fans, has been dominated by just one man through the majority of its existence, and four former ATP stars have now given the reason why one tennis legend will never take home the trophy.
The ‘ridiculous’ reason Novak Djokovic will never win ATP Fan Favorite award has been given
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, Steve Johnson questioned whether anyone on the ATP Tour will dominate the ATP Fans’ Favorite award for years to come.
“Do we think there’s going to be another 19-time winner like Roger [Federer] was from 2004 to 2021, 19 straight years?” he asked.
“19 times, I mean [Rafael] Nadal won it one time in 2022, that’s insane.”
Johnson’s co-host John Isner couldn’t quite believe the statistic, as he questioned why one of Federer’s greatest rivals never won the award.
“That’s ridiculous Stevie, but the answer is no, we’re not going to see that,” he said.
“Why hasn’t Novak [Djokovic] won this award?
“I mean it’s a bit ridiculous, he can be in a sense polarising but it is a popularity contest.
“Do we think he can win this award? Not that he really cares.”
The rest of the Nothing Major cast were unconvinced that the Serb would finally get his hands on the award this year.
“No,” said Jack Sock.
“I don’t think he’s going to win it no,” agreed Johnson.
“No, you can’t beat like an Alcaraz, regardless of what happens this year, I don’t think,” said Sam Querrey.
Isner eventually conceded that he too, didn’t think Novak could get it done.
“I think that’s ridiculous but I think you’re right,” he said.
Who won the first-ever ATP Fans’ Favorite award in 2000?
After Federer retired from the sport fans were excited to see who would take over the reigns and win the award in 2022.
Nadal took home the award before Jannik Sinner won last time around, after his breakthrough year on the ATP Tour.
Before Federer gained control of the award in 2003, Russian star Marat Safin won the award in 2001, and 2002 thanks to his performances that saw him reach world number one.
The first-ever recipient of the award, however, was Brazil’s Gustavo Kuerten, who took home the prize after the best year of his career in 2000.
The loveable South American won three Grand Slam titles during his career, but it was his performances in 2000 that saw him win over millions of tennis fans from around the world.
- March – Won an ATP title in Santiago
- April – Lost in the Miami Open final
- May – Lost in the Italian Open final
- May – Won the Hamburg Masters
- June – Won his second French Open title
- August – Won an ATP title in Indianapolis
- December – Won the ATP Finals
- December – Secured year-end number one ranking
The 48-year-old won his second French Open title in 2000, as he beat Magnus Norman in the final, bowing to the crowd after securing the win.
A huge result that made Kuerten a more than worthy winner of the inaugural Fans’ Favorite award.
Kuerten defended his French Open crown in 2001, before eventually retiring from tennis in 2008, as a true legend of the sport.
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