ITF Press Release, December 14, 2023
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka as the 2023 ITF World Champions in men’s singles and women’s singles respectively, recognising both players’ outstanding seasons.
Djokovic secured titles at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open to extend his all-time record for most Grand Slam men’s singles titles, as well as finishing runner-up at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Sabalenka won her first major singles title at the Australian Open, finished runner-up at the US Open and reached the semi-finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Djokovic and Sabalenka were the only two players to reach the singles semi finals or better at all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2023.
This week, the ITF also celebrated nine other World Champions. Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury earned their second ITF World Champion award in men’s doubles after a strong end to the season in which they won a third consecutive US Open title and triumphed at the ATP Finals. Wimbledon runners-up Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens, who finished the year, respectively, at No. 1 and No. 2 in the WTA doubles rankings claimed the ITF World Champion award in women’s doubles.
Great Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Netherlands’ Diede De Groot received honours in the men’s and women’s wheelchair categories, respectively, with Hewett winning for the first time and De Groot named as World Champion for the fifth occasion. In the quad wheelchair category, Dutchman Niels Vink collected the award for the second consecutive season.
At junior level, Alina Korneeva, a two-time Grand Slam girls’ singles winner in 2023, and Joao Fonseca, who won the boys’ singles title at the US Open, were named ITF World Champions.
The ITF World Champions are selected based on objective criteria considering all results from the season, placing special emphasis on Grand Slam tournaments, ITF International team competitions and, in Olympic and Paralympic years, the tennis events at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
ITF President David Haggerty said: “Congratulations to our 2023 ITF World Champions. These awards recognise the incredible seasons that these 11 athletes have had, with our World Champions collectively winning an amazing 24 Grand Slam titles in 2023. We hope that the players enjoy a peaceful off-season over the coming weeks and wish them all the best for the 2024 season.”
Speaking at the 2023 Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, Novak Djokovic said: “It’s the crown of the season, finishing the year as No. 1 in the world. I think it’s a dream of every tennis player. It’s one of the most difficult things to do in our sport. Winning Grand Slams and being No. 1 in the world are probably the pinnacles of the sport.”
Aryna Sabalenka said: “2023 has been an incredible season for me and I’m very happy to be named ITF World Champion. From winning my first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open to reaching world No. 1 for the first time, it has been an amazing year. I’m very grateful to my family, my team and my fans for their support in 2023 and I can’t wait to get back out on court for the new season in January.”
