Emma Raducanu, ranked 59th in the WTA standings after an injury-filled season, has been nominated for the Comeback of the Year award at the WTA Awards.
Meanwhile, fellow British player Jack Draper is in contention for the Most Improved Player of the Year accolade at the ATP Awards, reflecting a promising year for British tennis.
Raducanu’s nomination follows her remarkable recovery from ankle surgery, which enabled her to re-enter the top 60 rankings despite starting the year at 301. She shares the category with Paula Badosa, who overcame a near-career-ending back injury, Naomi Osaka, who returned to the court after giving birth, Karolina Muchova, and Amanda Anisimova.
Jack Draper, competing in the Most Improved Player category, is nominated alongside Tomas Machac, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Alejandro Tabilo. His coach, James Trotman, has also been recognized with a nomination for Coach of the Year. Additionally, British No. 3 Sonay Kartal earned a spot in the WTA Newcomer of the Year nominations after a breakthrough season that included her first WTA 250 title at the Jasmin Open.
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman believes Raducanu’s return to the top 30 in 2025 is realistic if she can stay injury-free. He emphasizes the importance of physical resilience, citing Katie Boulter’s consistent year as a benchmark. Despite Raducanu’s limited matches in 2024, she demonstrated her ability to deliver high-quality tennis when fit.
The future looks bright for British tennis, with Draper, Kartal, and Raducanu making significant strides on the global stage.
