ATP 2024: The biggest surprises of the year

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One of the elements that makes tennis exciting is its unpredictability. Far from being an exact science, it creates a certain butterfly feeling in the stomach before each match: regardless of winning streaks, moments, form states, or external factors, the court is the ring, and each match is a new story, a one-on-one where anyone can come out as the winner.

That's why we love surprises so much: results that leave the world amazed, catching analysts and fans off guard, marking turning points in the seasons of both contenders. Few things are more thrilling than seeing a giant knocked down, which is why compilations of the biggest upsets of the year always generate so much interest. In the 2024 season, names like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Andrey Rublev appear.

5 - Tomas Machac d. Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 7-5: ATP Shanghai 2024 Quarterfinals

A bitter summer had given way to a superb end of the season. And it seemed that Carlos Alcaraz found himself in that moment: after overcoming the disappointment of the Olympics and the US Open, the Laver Cup and the Davis Cup had brought back his smile, allowing him to shine in an extraordinary performance that would grant him the title in Beijing against Jannik Sinner. Shanghai was becoming a place to continue that form... until a young Czech arrived who could take the ball with the speed and precision of a surgeon. After a display of quick responses and applying the Murcian's own tactics against him, Tomas Machac abruptly stopped Carlos's resurgence, achieving the best win of his career and reaching the Masters 1000 semifinals for the first time. An performance that showed the tennis world he is more than ready to be a seed in Grand Slams.

4 - Alexei Popyrin d. Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4: 2024 US Open Third Round

Popyrin had become a familiar face for Novak Djokovic. It was common to see them face off in the best tournaments in the world, despite the ranking and status difference; not only that, but the Australian had already given him a significant scare in Australia, where he took a set from him and demanded more than many predicted. Despite his great form (coming off winning his first Masters 1000 in Canada) and Novak having emptied his emotional and mental tank at the Olympics, it had been a long time since the Serbian had been defeated in the first week of a Grand Slam... until he faced a giant who looked him in the eye again, applied what he learned in previous encounters, and skillfully maneuvered a Novak still, perhaps, mentally lingering on the Olympic medal. A crowning victory.

3 - Francisco Comesaña d. Andrey Rublev 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(5): 2024 Wimbledon First Round

Imagine stepping into your first Wimbledon with only one grass court match experience. Imagine, furthermore, losing that match against the #245 in the world. Now, Andrey Rublev faces you, one of the most consistent players on the circuit and a quarterfinalist in the previous edition. Given these circumstances, the least you could do is enjoy the opportunity and savor every point, right? However, that wasn't what Francisco Comesaña thought. 'The Shark' showed sharper than ever and displayed an almost unfamiliar arsenal to prove himself as a surprising grass court specialist: over 20 aces, slices from both forehand and backhand to disrupt Rublev's rhythm, and a mental fortitude in crucial moments uncharacteristic of someone with so little experience in these matches. A supposed clay-court player exhibiting a game reminiscent of the most seasoned Britons on grass, forcing Andrey to lose himself in his own nightmare. There is no doubt that Comesaña will never forget this victory... and neither will the tennis world.

2 - Botic van de Zandschulp d. Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 7-5, 6-4: 2024 US Open Second Round

Carlos Alcaraz had not lost in the second round of a Grand Slam since he was practically a child, back in 2021. Despite his criticized "mental lows," the Spaniard was a sure bet in the early rounds of a Slam, especially due to the huge margin of error that five sets provide him. After being dominated by van de Zandschulp in a dizzying first set, many clung to this statistic to continue trusting. However, when the Dutchman clinched a much tighter second set, all alarms went off. Was the Murcian's ship sinking? Thirty minutes later, a flurry of questions began to hover over the Arthur Ashe Stadium as Alcaraz bid farewell to the American audience: Botic had turned off all the lights, striking first, not giving him a breather, and delving into Carlos's emotional void after the painful defeat in the Olympic final. A striking upset in terms of venue, winner's form, background... and form, with a very convincing 3-0.

1 - Luca Nardi d. Novak Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3: 2024 Indian Wells Third Round

Not even the most optimistic Italian would have dared to predict that Luca Nardi, a player of unlimited talent but usual volatility, would hold out for over two and a half hours of combat against a 24-time Grand Slam champion. On the Indian Wells stage, which demands a physical edge beyond your tennis, even less. However, the Italian would seize the opportunity to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the Serbian's career: entering the draw as a Lucky Loser, Luca unleashed his best level to tie down Novak with crosscourt forehands, parallel backhands, and a flurry of offensive tennis that caught him off guard. With over 16 more winners and one of Nole's most painful defeats ranking-wise: Luca arrived at this tournament as #123 in the ATP ranking. Minutes later, Nardi would declare in a press conference that he believed that before this match "nobody" knew him... and there was certainly no better way for your name to resound in every corner of the globe.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ATP 2024: Las mayores sorpresas del año