From Coco Gauff's WTA Finals win to disappointing Davis Cup: American tennis' highlights and lowlights from 2024 season
Whether it was Team USA's performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics or players' individual displays at major tournaments, including Grand Slams and WTA/ATP events, the 2024 season was a rollercoaster for American tennis.
While the country has recently seen the growth of several tennis players like Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, and Frances Tiafoe, the American tennis players' overall performance was a mix of highs and lows in 2024. Gauff’s remarkable rise after her maiden Grand Slam victory last year and Fritz and Tiafoe's strong performances in the men's category translated into a decent year for American tennis but also brought into the limelight several areas for improvement.
Let's look at American tennis' highlights and lowlights from the 2024 season.
#5 Ben Shelton's breakthrough year
Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, and Sebastian Korda are all in the ATP top 25. Among them, Shelton was one of the breakthrough stars of the season.
While he has been regarded as a promising player since 2023, this year he proved his mettle with several notable achievements. Last year he reached the semi-finals of the US Open and won his maiden title at the Japan Open. In 2024, he won his second ATP Tour singles title, the US Men’s Clay Court Championships, and also reached a career-high ranking of World No 13.
The 22-year-old also shocked Andrey Rublev to reach the semifinals at the 2024 Basel Open, among several other achievements. As per John McEnroe, based on Shelton's progress, he is likely to enter the top five very soon.
#4 Taylor Fritz became the first American to reach three Grand Slam quarterfinals since 2007
At the 2024 US Open, Taylor Fritz defeated Casper Ruud and became the first American since Andy Roddick in 2007 to reach three major quarterfinals in one calendar year. After defeating compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals in New York, he became the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Roddick in 2009.
At the start of the year, Fritz reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, where he fell to Novak Djokovic, and followed that up with a run to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, where he lost to the Italian Lorenzo Musetti. By advancing to the quarterfinals at the US Open, he not only achieved a personal career milestone, but also marked a significant moment for American tennis.
The 27-year-old also reached the final at the ATP Finals in Turin where he once again lost to World No.1 Jannik Sinner. However, he returned to the ATP Top 5 with a career-high ranking of World No.4.
#3 American tennis team's performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics
With stars like Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Danielle Collins, the US tennis team at the Olympics offered a lot of promise but could not live up to it.
With legends like Andre Agassi and the Williams sisters leaving behind an illustrious legacy, the American tennis team entered the Summer Games with a lot of expectations from the country. However, this year proved challenging, as American players in the singles category suffered early-round exits and failed to secure any medals, marking one of their most disappointing performances in recent history.
However, the doubles teams, with Rajeev Ram-Austin Krajicek and Taylor Fritz-Tommy Paul securing the silver and bronze medals, respectively, did provide some succor.
#2 USA's shocking loss at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals
The USA was the third favorite behind Italy and Spain to win the Davis Cup Finals. However, defeat at the hands of Australia in the quarterfinals brought an end to the nation's run at Malaga.
While captain Bob Bryan tried his best to make the right calls, his plans did not pan out as hoped. For instance, with regards to Ben Shelton who made his debut at the tournament, Bryan's decision to field him did not turn out to be the best as the young American struggled to overcome the pressure during his match against Thanasi Kokkinakis. However, World No.4 Taylor Fritz leveled things up after an incredible win over Alex De Minaur, taking the tie to a decider in the doubles.
However, for that match, Bryan chose Shelton and Tommy Paul instead of the much more experienced Olympic silver medalist duo of Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. The former lost to Australia's Jordan Thompson and Matt Ebden in straight sets. Following these pivotal calls, Team USA's run at the Davis Cup came to a disappointing end.
#1 Coco Gauff's exciting win at the WTA Finals
World No. 3 Coco Gauff defeated China's Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in a thrilling three-hour encounter to become the youngest player to win the WTA Finals since Maria Sharapova in 2004 and the first American to win the title since Serena Williams.
Gauff was one set down and fought back to make it 1-1 by winning the second-set. Similarly, in a very close tiebreak in the deciding set, the American yet again emerged victorious and ended up becoming the youngest player at 20 years of age to achieve the said feat since Sharapova in 2004.
At the same time, again beating Sharapova's record at the 2006 US Open, she became the youngest player to defeat both the World No.1 and World 2 at a tournament.
This year, Gauff reached the last four at two out of the four Grand Slams, won the China Open in Beijing and made the semifinals in Wuhan. Therefore, by winning the finals at Riyadh, she added another major achievement to her list of accomplishments and capped off a significant highlight for American tennis in the 2024 season.