Tennis enthusiasts around the world find themselves in a state of anticipation as the 2024 ATP award winners are set to be announced. While winning Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events often takes center stage, for many on the ATP Tour, these achievements remain just out of reach. The ATP Awards week at the end of the season provides a chance for some of the sport's more underrated stars to shine. Awards such as ATP Comeback Player of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and the Sportsmanship Award are all up for grabs in 2024. However, one award, voted for by fans, has a rather interesting story. Through the majority of its existence, it has been dominated by just one man. Four former ATP stars have shed light on why one tennis legend will never take home this particular trophy.

The 'Ridiculous' Reason Novak Djokovic Will Never Win ATP Fan Favorite Award

On the Nothing Major podcast, Steve Johnson posed a thought-provoking question. "Do we think there's going to be another 19-time winner like Roger [Federer] was from 2004 to 2021, 19 straight years?" he asked. The fact that Rafael Nadal won it only once in 2022 seemed astonishing. Johnson's co-host John Isner couldn't believe the statistic and questioned why one of Federer's greatest rivals never won the award. "That's ridiculous Stevie, but the answer is no, we're not going to see that," he said. "Why hasn't Novak [Djokovic] won this award? I mean it's a bit ridiculous, he can be in a sense polarising but it is a popularity contest. Do we think he can win this award? Not that he really cares."The rest of the Nothing Major cast shared similar views. Jack Sock said, "No, I don't think he's going to win it no." Johnson agreed, stating, "No, you can't beat like an Alcaraz, regardless of what happens this year, I don't think." Sam Querrey also chimed in, saying, "No, I don't think he will." Eventually, Isner conceded, "I think that's ridiculous but I think you're right."

The First-Ever ATP Fans' Favorite Award in 2000

After Federer retired, fans were eager to see who would take over the award in 2022. Nadal emerged as the winner, and Jannik Sinner followed suit after his breakthrough year on the ATP Tour. Before Federer's reign, Russian star Marat Safin won the award in 2001 and 2002 with his remarkable performances that led him to world number one. However, the first-ever recipient of the award was Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten. In 2000, he had an outstanding year that made him a worthy winner.During March, he won an ATP title in Santiago. In April, he lost in the Miami Open final. In May, he faced defeat in the Italian Open final but managed to win the Hamburg Masters. In June, he secured his second French Open title by beating Magnus Norman in the final and bowed to the crowd in celebration. In August, he won an ATP title in Indianapolis, and in December, he won the ATP Finals and secured the year-end number one ranking. His two French Open titles in 2000 and his overall performance that year made him a beloved figure among tennis fans worldwide. Kuerten defended his French Open crown in 2001 and eventually retired from tennis in 2008, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.