The 2024 tennis season has come to a close, leaving behind a trail of big winners and losers. In the final weeks of a hectic year, the standings were clearly defined. Jannik Sinner's final shot saw Italy regain the Davis Cup in Malaga, while Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious at the French Open and Wimbledon. Alexander Zverev ended the year as world No 2, showing impressive consistency. Rafael Nadal's retirement added to the changes in the tennis world, along with the exits of Grand Slam champions Andy Murray and Dominic Thiem. In the women's game, Aryna Sabalenka was the queen of the court, claiming two Grand Slam titles and ending the year as world No 1. Her nearest rival, Iga Swiatek, struggled in the second half of 2024. Coco Gauff won the WTA Finals title in Saudi Arabia, and China's Zheng Qinwen finished the year on a high with some stunning performances.

Bold Predictions for 2025

Jannik Sinner's Suspension

Will world No 1 Jannik Sinner face a ban from tennis after his failed drug tests last March? The International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted his version that the banned substance clostebol got into his system by accident and was not performance-enhancing. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the verdict and is pushing for a two-year ban. If the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) sides with WADA, Sinner could face a six-month suspension, which would take him out of the final three Grand Slams and see his world ranking plummet. This could be a huge scar on his image and reputation, and his lawyers are doing all they can to avoid this fate.

Emma Raducanu's Comeback

Emma Raducanu has been a major talking point in 2024. Her impressive performance on court was mixed with debates over her off-court decisions. After Wimbledon, she admitted to getting her scheduling plans wrong and failed to play enough events, resulting in a first-round exit at this year's US Open. Injuries have also plagued her season, but her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon and her five straight wins in the Billie Jean King Cup showed her potential. If she can stay fit, a return to the top 20 of the WTA Rankings should be within her reach next year.

The End of Djokovic's Reign

The news that Novak Djokovic hired his former rival Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open in January was a shock. It was a positive sign for fans of the Serbian legend, as it showed his commitment to winning his 25th Grand Slam title. However, if Djokovic fails to reach the latter stages in Melbourne or if his motivation wanes on court, don't be surprised to see him end his career at some point in 2025. This move by Murray was a left-field decision and may give Djokovic a new source of inspiration, but the story could still have a quick end.

The Wildcards

Alexander Zverev's fine form saw him end 2024 at No 2 in the rankings, but his dream of winning a Grand Slam remains elusive. His defeat against Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals highlighted his lack of killer instinct when under pressure. Coco Gauff is another player to watch next season. Her win at the WTA Finals was brilliant, but her serving issues persist. Her big hitting from the back of the court is impressive, but when her serve breaks down, it can ruin her chances. If she works on her service motion and mindset during the off-season, she could reach the world No 1 ranking for the first time next year.