As at the end of each year, the ATP distributes its ATP Awards. Revelation, coach, best progression, comeback and sportsmanship will be rewarded this month. But first, the nominees for each category were revealed this Wednesday. Logically, we find the players who have marked this season and have shone. Rafael Nadal, Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz or Felix Auger-Aliassime are among those nominated.
The Frenchman Frederic Fontang can be delighted with the 2022 season of his protégé. Felix Auger-Aliassime finished the year like a bomb by winning three titles and the Davis Cup with Canada. His French coach is therefore logically in the list of the leaders of the year. Alongside him are Goran Ivanisevic and Juan Carlos Ferrero, coaches of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
Who will succeed Mackenzie McDonald for the comeback of the year. The four players nominated for this award are Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem, Ybing Wu and Borna Coric. All of them have something to say about it. The Swiss player has gained more than 150 places in a few months but his record seems light. Indeed, he has not made a significant run and is only ranked 150th in the world. The case of Dominic Thiem seems more serious. Ranked 346th in the world in July, the Austrian is just outside the Top 100 and has returned to the Challenger circuit where he has found a very good level of play.
The most interesting duel could be the one for the “Most Improved Player” trophy. Two generational talents are part of this list. Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune have exploded this year to go from being prospects to champions. While the Spaniard has accomplished more in 2022 with the world No. 1 ranking, his first Grand Slam and his first two Masters 1000 events, Rune has come from further back and finished the year on a high note to make a small appearance in the Top 10… Jack Draper and Maxime Cressy were also named.
ATP players will vote for their fairest player on tour. Felix Auger-Aliassime, Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud, Frances Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz are the nominees. Elected by the players last year, Rafael Nadal will surely make the double. To be continued…