Tim Henman and Laura Robson were in agreement on the most improved player on the ATP Tour in 2024.
With the the latest tennis season now at end fans and pundits alike are looking back on the action that unfolded over the past 12 months.
Men’s tennis is ushering in a new era and certain players made their case to have their names called in that group.
While legends of the sport such as Rafael Nadal bid farewell, newer faces began to establish themselves as forces to be reckoned with and will look to build on that momentum in 2025.
Who do Tim Henman and Laura Robson think is the ATP’s most improved player in 2024?
In 2024, certain players made an impression on the ATP Tour for a variety of reasons. For example, Jannik Sinner ascended to the top of the game after having the best year of his career so far.
The Italian claimed nine titles, two of which were Grand Slams, and became the World number one for the first time.
There was another player who upped his level in 2024 and that was Jack Draper. The 22-year-old became the British number one and won the first two titles of his career.
Now at a career-high ranking of 15, both Tim Henman and Laura Robson think Draper is the ATP’s most improved player over the past 12 months.
“It’s Jack Draper. I’ve no problem singing his praises,” Henman told Sky Sports. “He was really struggling last year with injuries but he had a couple of good results to finish 2023 but the way he’s come through, winning a tour title, first Grand Slam semi in New York.”
Robson added: “Considering last summer he missed that whole grass-court season. He was so gutted about it but we can now see what he’s capable of and he’s been able to do it consistently because he’s healthy, which has been a great sign and long may that continue.”
What were Jack Draper’s best results in 2024?
Draper won 39 of the 61 matches he played in the 2024 season. He made a strong start to 2024 by reaching the final of the Adelaide International in January, and made the semifinals in Mexico two months later.
After a difficult clay court season, Draper found comfort on the grass and won the Stuttgart Open, which was the first ATP title win of his career.
One of Draper’s biggest wins of the season came at Queen’s, when he defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to reach the last eight.
Draper soon went on to North American hard courts and reached the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals, before producing his best run at a Grand Slam by making the last four at the US Open.
This was followed up by a quarter-final showing in Japan, before lifting his second title of the season in Vienna. Draper’s successful season came to an end after the Paris Masters, and he will aim to build on this momentum from this season in 2025.
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