By Ros Satar
- Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber were named as ITF Champions for the first time
- Honours also for Jamie Murray who along with partner Bruno Soares were named as Men’s Doubles champions and for Gordon Reid
ITF – The International Federation have named their champions for 2016 with newly minted World No. 1s Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber taking the Singles honours.
CLICK TO BUY TENNIS TICKETS
Singles
Andy Murray has now reached the final of all four majors, having made it to the French Open final for the first time, before going on to win a second Wimbledon title, and with everything coming down to the wire at the World Tour Finals, winning his first season-ending final and wrapping up the World No. 1 spot. Add to that the accolade of becoming the first tennis player in Olympic history to defend his gold medal.
He said, in a press release from the ITF: “It means a lot to me to be named ITF World Champion. I have had such a memorable year, winning again at Wimbledon, retaining my Olympic title, and clinching the year-end No. 1 ranking in the last match of the season. It is particularly special with my brother Jamie also becoming World Champion.”
Angelique Kerber book-ended the year with her first two Grand Slam titles, and also finished the year as World No. 1 pipped in the season-ending finale. She is the first German World Champion since Steffi Graf, and backed that up with the Olympic silver medal.
Kerber said: “I’m truly honoured to be named ITF World Champion and to line up with all these past champions. This year was by far the best of my career with so many unforgettable experiences and emotions. I am grateful for the recognition and I’m looking forward to the upcoming challenges.”
Doubles
Jamie Murray & Bruno Soares secured the year end No. 1 team ranking at the World Tour Finals after only starting their pairing this year. They were rewarded instantly with success at the Australian Open with Murray winning his first Men’s Doubles Slam title, and also book-ended their season with the US Open title.
Murray said: “We are very proud to receive this award. It’s been an incredible year for us, winning two Grand Slams and finishing as the No. 1 team in just our first season together.”
Soares said: “As a new team coming into the season there is a lot of expectation and belief, but also some doubts and uncertainty, so for us to finish the year as the No. 1 team winning two Slams was amazing. It gives us a lot to look forward to in the future.”
Caroline Garcia & Kristina Mladenovic were also a first time pairing this year, ending the year as the No. 1 team and although they were unable to help France to a Fed Cup win in the final, they did win their first Grand Slam title at the French Open, before going on to reach the US Open final. Mladenovic is a former junior ITF World Champion (2009).
Garcia said: “We really had an exceptional year with great victories on the court, even though we only started playing together at the beginning of 2016. Winning Roland Garros at home was definitely the culmination of the year. It is an incredible success to finish the No. 1 team in the world, and an honour to receive this ITF trophy.”
Mladenovic said: “It is a great achievement for Caroline and I to win this trophy after having played only one season together. The highlight of the year was definitely winning the French Open in our own country. We get on very well both on and off court and are looking forward to more success next year.”
Wheelchair
It was a fantastic year for Brits in tennis as Gordon Reid became the first British player to become World Champion. He won his first two Grand Slam singles titles at the Australian Open at Melbourne, was a runner-up at the French Open and won the Paralympic Singles Gold in the Tennis event. He too capped off the year with the year-end No. 1 ranking after reaching the final of the NEC Masters.
Reid said: “It’s a great honour for me to complete the best year of my career by finishing year-end No.1 for the first time. I can’t thank all of my coaching team, family and friends enough for all their dedication and support, which was a vital part of my 2016 successes.”
Jiske Griffioen is the only repeat champion in 2016 as she collects the women’s wheelchair champion title for the second year in a row. Her accomplishments in 2016 included the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles, two golds at the Paralympic Tennis event and victory at the NEC Masters, holding the No. 1 ranking throughout the year.
She said: “It was an incredible year for me! To win two Grand Slam titles, the Masters and be on top of the rankings for the whole year is something I’m proud of for sure. And my dream of winning two gold medals at the Paralympics in Rio came true. All the hard work paid off.”
Junior World Champions
Miomir Kecmanovic (Serbia) – 18 match winning streak, winning titles in Mexico City, the Eddie Herr tournament and Orange Bowl to become the year-end No. 1. He won a total of four singles and two doubles titles, and was runner up at the US Open.
Anastasia Potapova (Russia) – first full season on the ITF Junior Circuit, reaching the quarter-finals or better at all four of the majors, winning her first major title at Wimbledon, and was a semi-finalist at Roland Garros. She won a total of three singles and one doubles title.
The ITF’s selection of its senior World Champions is based on an objective system that considers all results during the year, but gives special weight to the Olympic Tennis Event, Grand Slam tournaments, and to the Davis Cup & Fed Cup by BNP Paribas.
ITF President David Haggerty said: “Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber have both been rewarded for their hard work and dedication with exceptional years that see them worthy recipients of the ITF World Champion awards. Our two doubles World Champions, Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares, and Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic, have shown impressive teamwork in their first season together. All these players have taken great pride in representing their country, and are fine ambassadors for our sport.”
He continued: “The list of 2016 ITF World Champions reflects an exciting year of change in our sport, and I would like to thank all the players for their contribution to another memorable tennis season.”
The ITF’s selection of its senior World Champions is based on an objective system that considers all results during the year, but gives special weight to the Olympic Tennis Event, Grand Slam tournaments, and to the Davis Cup & Fed Cup by BNP Paribas.
They will receive their awards at the 2017 ITF World Champions Dinner on Tuesday 6 June, during Roland Garros.
CLICK TO BUY PRO TENNIS GEAR
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |