2024 PLAYER OF THE SEASON VOTE - FINAL

Var · Satellite level

2024 PLAYER OF THE SEASON VOTE - FINAL

Christine · Intermediate Club Player

I've voted for Sonay as her progress this season having started from wondering if she'd play at all to reach this level is outstanding

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

We've now got 32 votes (over halfway to where I hope we will land!!)

First view of scores to those unable to see them:

12
10
7
3

Given the number of votes that could still come, the top 3 could move around a lot over the next couple of days - maybe the last placed player is a bit off the pace and may struggle, but let's see.

Remember, vote closes Sunday night so plenty of time for more to come in

Spireman · Club Coach

Sonay. Great progress to get to top 100 and hope she can consolidate this year.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

33 votes now in

12
10
8
3

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

If there are any non members checking in, please feel free to try and join the board and take part in this player of the season vote - we appeared to have some technical issues on joining so sorry if that is still the case, but if you can join and want to have a vote and a say, all our welcome and the more votes the merrier.

Thanks !

christ · Futures level

I've already changed my mind three times, and will doubtless do so several more times, but at this moment I am plumping for Ms Boulter: hopefully the others will get their chances again in the future.

Lambda · Challenger level

As someone who mainly follows women's tennis, it is a no brainer as to who to vote for. It obviously has to be Jake.

Starting 2024 with no college ranking having skipped the fall, he finished in May with a top 10 ranking. He achieved this despite missing 6 weeks of the spring season with injury, including most of the regular season conference matches. His last match before that injury break, and later revealed to have been playing with the injury, was one that won't be forgotten. Playing his nemesis Eliot Spizzirri, who he was winless against in 5 attempts, with TCU and Texas having 3 points each, Jake needed to win to clinch the match for TCU. It was 4-4 in the deciding set, when Jake broke and went on to defeat Spizzirri for the first time and get the clinch point for TCU. Coming back from injury to play the post season even though he was not fully fit he helped TCU to claim their first team championship win. After college, his performances and ranking rise are well documented. To achieve a top 100 ranking with only 7 months of tournaments and without a full set of counters is nothing short of remarkable. Truly 'Wow'. That he is only the 2nd former college player in history to achieve a top 100 ATP ranking within the same calendar year of leaving college is an outstanding accomplishment. And his winning 4 challenger titles in a calendar year is noteworthy in that I read he is only the 2nd British man to have done so. A remarkable year that is beyond deserving for player of the year.

indiana · Tennis legend

Lambda wrote:
As someone who mainly follows women's tennis, it is a no brainer as to who to vote for. It obviously has to be Jake.

Starting 2024 with no college ranking having skipped the fall, he finished in May with a top 10 ranking. He achieved this despite missing 6 weeks of the spring season with injury, including most of the regular season conference matches. His last match before that injury break, and later revealed to have been playing with the injury, was one that won't be forgotten. Playing his nemesis Eliot Spizzirri, who he was winless against in 5 attempts, with TCU and Texas having 3 points each, Jake needed to win to clinch the match for TCU. It was 4-4 in the deciding set, when Jake broke and went on to defeat Spizzirri for the first time and get the clinch point for TCU. Coming back from injury to play the post season even though he was not fully fit he helped TCU to claim their first team championship win. After college, his performances and ranking rise are well documented. To achieve a top 100 ranking with only 7 months of tournaments and without a full set of counters is nothing short of remarkable. Truly 'Wow'. That he is only the 2nd former college player in history to achieve a top 100 ATP ranking within the same calendar year of leaving college is an outstanding accomplishment. And his winning 4 challenger titles in a calendar year is noteworthy in that I read he is only the 2nd British man to have done so. A remarkable year that is beyond deserving for player of the year.

Thanks for all that info, Lambda. You do make a great case there, certainly much more than - he is now top 100 from having ended 2023 WR whatever. His college exploits ( and I have to admit I just don't follow college tennis that much beyond some of the headline stuff ) and his top 100 ranking now from 7 months and limited counters is what it is really about.

Whatever, I am afraid I have already voted for Katie. But think it a bit less clearcut for me than when I did vote. Still happy with my Katie vote though.

Tanaqui · Club Coach

Lambda wrote:
As someone who mainly follows women's tennis, it is a no brainer as to who to vote for. It obviously has to be Jake.

Starting 2024 with no college ranking having skipped the fall, he finished in May with a top 10 ranking. He achieved this despite missing 6 weeks of the spring season with injury, including most of the regular season conference matches. His last match before that injury break, and later revealed to have been playing with the injury, was one that won't be forgotten. Playing his nemesis Eliot Spizzirri, who he was winless against in 5 attempts, with TCU and Texas having 3 points each, Jake needed to win to clinch the match for TCU. It was 4-4 in the deciding set, when Jake broke and went on to defeat Spizzirri for the first time and get the clinch point for TCU. Coming back from injury to play the post season even though he was not fully fit he helped TCU to claim their first team championship win. After college, his performances and ranking rise are well documented. To achieve a top 100 ranking with only 7 months of tournaments and without a full set of counters is nothing short of remarkable. Truly 'Wow'. That he is only the 2nd former college player in history to achieve a top 100 ATP ranking within the same calendar year of leaving college is an outstanding accomplishment. And his winning 4 challenger titles in a calendar year is noteworthy in that I read he is only the 2nd British man to have done so. A remarkable year that is beyond deserving for player of the year.

Love this write up! Thank you, Lambda

B00thy · Lower Club Player

I have always thought Katie Boulter was a major under-achiever, like several British players. Certainly I thought she'd probably not make to top 50.

She overcame her back injuries and finally developed a power game which could clearly trouble almost everyone. However, she used a safety-first strategy which helped her rise up the rankings but didnt seem able to deploy the right level of risk/reward balance at key moments for her to dominate difficult points.

In 2023 and now 2024 she has finally developed the strength of character and Im overjoyed she has reached her potential.

Im voting for her because her rise to top 25 has happened late in her career despite setbacks of injury and questionable coaching and this is her finest season.

-- Edited by B00thy on Saturday 11th of January 2025 12:00:27 AM

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

39 votes now - I cant do the maths on how many votes each has got so will wait for 40 when it is easier to work out!

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Seriously it is

14
13
9
3

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Feels like a genuine 3 way battle - I think the final candidate is out of it tbh.

Last years final was a humdinger as well, hopefully this will go all the way.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

39 votes as I head to my bed, still a weekend to go. This is all to vote for, lets see how it evolves Saturday.