While tennis certainly has its high points at times now, there is also the sense of a crossroads point which 2024 will begin and it could yet be the tonic for a tennis revival.
The ATP will see one huge return, but one that will herald a new era with only one face of the Big Three remaining and only two of the Big Four with Andy Murray in the twilight of his career and
Novak Djokovic still very much at the top but also with an expiry date incoming.
Nadal swansong and Kyrgios return
Rafael Nadal returning for one final swansong will likely evoke the same tears that saw Roger Federer retire albeit he will hope to end his career instead of at an exhibition tournament by winning a Grand Slam.
Many see the Paris Olympics or Roland Garros both held on the same courts and warranting the same happy memories as the ending point. Training hard for his return, he will be a huge talking point going into the year ahead.
Nick Kyrgios will also likely return in time to play at home at the Australian Open in 2024 after he got injured there last year and never recovered despite many comeback attempts. He was adamant of a return on the recent Mike Tyson podcast and whether you love or hate him, he is box office for the sport and will add a touch of entertainment that the ATP Tour has been missing in recent months.
WTA leads the way with big-name returns
But the WTA in particular will see many big-name returns that are likely to have more lasting effects on the tour.
Caroline Wozniacki who showed bright sparks in her return to action decided puzzlingly to not play for the rest of the 2023 season and has already confirmed she will restart her season at the 2024 ASB Classic in Auckland.
Emma Raducanu despite criticism over the fawning over the Brit since she won the US Open in 2021 will also return and likely garner attention once more. Barring playing an exhibition in Asia later in the year, she has yet to confirm any sort of return plans but will likely use that as a warm-up to head towards Australia. She is unlikely though to play at the ASB Classic due to issues with getting injured and slipping on the court last time she played in New Zealand.
It will also be the year of the mothers. Elina Svitolina showed what can be done on her return to action with the Summer of Svitolina seeing her reach Quarter-Finals or better in all majors since giving birth to Skai and has had a new impetus.
Many will hope that the same will be the case for
Angelique Kerber who has not been discussed much in terms of her return mainly due to
Naomi Osaka also being a main storyline going into the 2024 season.
Kerber being a three-time major champion and World No.1 is also back working with her old coach, Torben Beltz as is Osaka with Wim Fissette with a fractious break-up with Qinwen Zheng. But sealing a 14th title in 2022, Kerber has shown more consistent form and could be the main standout of the returnees.
Osaka though has pledged to play more often and have a full-time schedule in 2024, something which fans of the former World No.1 haven’t seen for a long time. This will likely be in a ranking move more than desire and heart, but also shows her hunger to return to the sport by making this commitment.
Muguruza won't be a part of the return fever pitch
Initially set to return in 2024 was
Garbine Muguruza, but she will be one name to scratch off the list due to not wanting to return to tennis at this moment in time despite rumours that she was plotting her way back.
For instance, Caroline Garcia had a torrid 2023 up until recently after crowning off a career best moment in Fort Worth, but after Guadalajara the previous year, Muguruza fell off a cliff.
She had issues closing out matches and decided to take a break for mental health reasons to regroup and enjoy her life again. She has since become engaged to Arthur Borges who she met at the US Open with the model being a fan approaching her for a picture.
She seems to be enjoying her life away from the court and it could be questioned whether she will ever return to the tour again. It certainly won’t be early 2024.
New WTA Big Three to lead the way but don't discount others
Aryna Sabalenka being World Number One, with
Iga Swiatek’s era as the top WTA player ending for now as well as
Elena Rybakina tagging herself on to be a member of this so-called Big Three in the WTA. There is also the likes of Jessica Pegula and US Open champion, Coco Gauff who will continue their ascent up the top.
Also don’t discount Ons Jabeur who has been battle-scarred from multiple disappointments in major finals but will be hungry for a Grand Slam. As will Maria Sakkari who has gone through a renaissance after her form deserted her and wondered if she should take a break.
Don't discount rising stars either from Peyton Stearns on an American side to Diana Shnaider and even the likes of Eva Lys and Noma Noha Akugue from Germany who continue to make strides as well as the obvious talents of Mirra Andreeva coming through.
Can Rune and Sinner herald the new Big Three and the new ATP era?
The ATP on the other hand could see a lot of finality with Rafael Nadal likely bowing out, Novak Djokovic likely adding more titles before heading towards his conclusion at some point in the next few years and a changing of the guard already started in part by
Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz though will need rivals and attention will focus on Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune among others to see if they can band on to the rise of the Spaniard and challenge him for major titles and bring the sport onto new levels at the end of the big three.
As well as the continued rise of Ben Shelton who heralds a new list of stars underneath the top talents currently including Arthur Fils and Matteo Arnaldi.
A year of intrigue awaits and as the 2023 season comes to a close, the 2024 season is gearing up off returns alone to be unmissable and could yet bring on a new renaissance for the sport.
