ATP Year-End Awards Nominations
The ATP has unveiled its nominations for three prestigious year-end awards, sparking intrigue with a mix of celebrated figures and surprising candidates. Carlos Alcaraz has reclaimed the title of world No. 1 for a second consecutive year, having previously attained this rank in 2022 when he triumphed at the US Open as a teenager. His rivalry with Jannik Sinner has defined the men’s tennis landscape over the past two seasons, yet the ATP awards aim to honor a broader spectrum of players who have made a significant impact or showcased exemplary conduct on the court.
Nominations Overview
The nominees for the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, Breakthrough of the Year, and Coach of the Year have been disclosed, illustrating a blend of established awardees and fresh contenders.
Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award Nominees
Among the nominees, three have previously won this award, including Alcaraz, who earned the accolade in 2023. His reputation for bringing joy to the game is amplified by his attitude of sportsmanship, notably during the poignant moments of the 2025 French Open final against Sinner, where both players chose to forgo umpire intervention to give points to one another. Sinner’s exclusion from the list has sparked debate, especially following his recent three-month suspension, which could have posed a challenge for the ATP in terms of public relations.
Another nominee includes Casper Ruud, recognized as one of tennis’ most congenial personalities, who notably shared words of encouragement with Iga Swiatek after her unexpected defeat to Coco Gauff at the 2025 Madrid Open. The list also features last year’s winner Grigor Dimitrov and rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime, the latter of whom is looking to bolster his reputation after facing a tough loss in the 2025 Wimbledon final against Sinner.
Breakthrough Player of the Year Nominees
Jack Draper earned a spot among the nominees after capturing the title at the 2025 Indian Wells Open and achieving a Top 5 ranking before an injury halted his season. His aim for the upcoming year is to stay injury-free and mount a serious challenge against Alcaraz and Sinner. Joao Fonseca also appears on the list, having claimed titles at the Swiss Indoors and the Argentina Open; however, he has expressed discomfort with being likened to Novak Djokovic by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The other nominees include Valentin Vacherot, who secured victory at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, and Jakub Mensik, champion of the 2025 Miami Open. Some observers have noted Learner Tien’s significant rise from outside the Top 100 to No. 28, suggesting he could have deserved a nomination as well.
Coaches of the Year Nominations
Jannik Sinner‘s coaching duo, Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, both of whom previously won this award in 2023, are again in the running. Notably, Cahill has opted to remain with the team after winning a bet with Sinner. Alcaraz’s coaches, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez, are also contenders; Ferrero previously received this honor in 2022, while a win for Lopez would mark his first since joining the team at the start of the season. Completing the shortlist are Ben Shelton‘s father and coach Bryan, Frederic Fontang who coaches Auger-Aliassime, and Benjamin Balleret, associated with Vacherot.
