ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Aryna Sabalenka has been awarded the prestigious WTA Player of the Year title for the first time, following an impressive season where she clinched two Grand Slam titles and finished the year ranked No. 1.
In addition to Sabalenka’s recognition, the voting results from tennis media revealed several other accolades. Emma Navarro earned the title of Most Improved Player, while Paula Badosa was named Comeback Player of the Year. Lulu Sun was celebrated as the Newcomer of the Year, and the Doubles Team of the Year award went to Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini.
Sabalenka, 26, who hails from Belarus, achieved remarkable success with her victories at the Australian Open in January and the U.S. Open in September, alongside winning two additional titles throughout the season. With a record of 56 wins and 14 losses, she also amassed nearly $10 million in prize money. Sabalenka surpassed Iga Swiatek to take the top rank in October, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Emma Navarro, aged 23, made her entry into the WTA’s top 10 in September. She gained recognition for her outstanding performance at the U.S. Open, where she progressed to the semifinals after defeating defending champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round. Having started the year ranked No. 32, Navarro concluded the year with an impressive ranking of No. 8, culminating in her first title victory at the Hobart tournament in Australia.
Paula Badosa endured a challenging period in 2023 as she was sidelined by a back injury for the latter half of the season. However, the 27-year-old Spaniard made a triumphant return, reaching No. 12 in the rankings, winning the Washington title, and achieving her best performance at a Grand Slam by reaching the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open.
Lulu Sun showcased remarkable growth in her career by escalating from outside the top 200 to a peak ranking of No. 39. She highlighted her talent with a quarterfinal run as a qualifier at Wimbledon and a runner-up finish at the Monterrey Open. Originally from New Zealand, but raised in Switzerland, the 23-year-old also played a key role in leading the University of Texas to an NCAA team championship.
The Doubles Team of the Year, Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, achieved significant glory for Italy, capturing a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and contributing to their nation’s success in the Billie Jean King Cup. Both accomplished players also reached the doubles final at the French Open, while Paolini was the runner-up in both the French Open and Wimbledon singles competitions.
