The ATP rankings are a key way to measure success in men’s tennis. In 2024, some players made huge moves up the rankings, surprising everyone with their performances. These players worked hard and played great tennis, showing how anything can happen in the sport.
Five players who had the biggest jumps in the ATP rankings this year
1. Joao Fonseca (No. 730 to No. 145)
Joao Fonseca from Brazil has had an amazing year. The 18-year-old made a huge jump, moving from No. 730 to No. 145. This is a rise of 590 spots! Fonseca’s biggest breakthrough came at the Rio Open, where he made it to the semi-finals after beating strong players like Arthur Fils and Cristian Garin. He had a wild card entry in the tournament and was ranked No. 655 when the event started. After Rio, he made it to the quarter-finals in Bucharest and even won his first Masters match in Madrid.
2. Jack Draper (No. 61 to No. 15)
Jack Draper from the UK had a great year, jumping 46 places from No. 61 to No. 15. The 22-year-old made a name for himself, becoming the new British No. 1. Draper had a strong summer and ended the season with two ATP titles, one in Stuttgart and another in Vienna. He also made it to the semi-finals of the US Open and defeated World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in Queen’s.
3. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (No. 205 to No. 31)
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard from France moved from No. 205 to No. 31, jumping 174 spots in 2024. Standing tall at 6’8″, Perricard’s powerful serve helped him win his first ATP Tour title in Lyon. He also won the Swiss Indoors Basel as an unseeded player, defeating top players like Holger Rune and Ben Shelton. Perricard also made a big splash at Wimbledon, reaching the round of 16.
4. Jakub Mensik (No. 167 to No. 48)
Jakub Mensik from the Czech Republic had a remarkable rise, moving from No. 167 to No. 48. The 18-year-old broke into the top 50 after reaching his first ATP Final in Doha. During this run, he defeated Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev. Mensik’s strong season continued with a quarter-final appearance at the Shanghai Masters, where he beat both Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov.
5. Kei Nishikori (No. 352 to No. 105)
Kei Nishikori, the veteran from Japan, made a strong comeback in 2024. After starting the year ranked No. 352, he climbed to No. 105 by the end of the season. Nishikori made it to the quarter-finals at both the ATP Masters in Canada and the Japan Open in Tokyo. He had a great year after struggling earlier, especially with a low rank of No. 576 in August. Nishikori also won the Challenger title in Helsinki, helping his rise back into the top 100.
ATP Rankings Jump Summary
Here’s a quick look at the players and their rank changes in 2024:
| Player | Start of 2024 ATP Rank | End of 2024 ATP Rank | Rank Jump |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joao Fonseca | No. 730 | No. 145 | +590 |
| Jack Draper | No. 61 | No. 15 | +46 |
| Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | No. 205 | No. 31 | +174 |
| Jakub Mensik | No. 167 | No. 48 | +119 |
| Kei Nishikori | No. 352 | No. 105 | +247 |
Conclusion
These players had outstanding years in 2024. Their hard work, great performances, and determination helped them climb up the ATP rankings. It shows that with effort and dedication, players can make incredible improvements, no matter their starting point. As the ATP rankings continue to shift, it will be exciting to see who else might make similar jumps in the future!
Also Read: Sumit Nagal’s 2025 Goal: Breaking Into the ATP Top 50 In Tennis
