Novak Djokovic crowned ITF World Champion for record-breaking 8th year, Aryna Sabalenka claims maiden honor

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were named the ITF World Champions following their incredible 2023 tennis seasons.

Djokovic won three of the four Majors this year, taking home the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and US Open titles with relative ease. The Serb compiled an impressive 56-7 win/loss record on the ATP tour in 2023 and raked in about $16 million in prize money winnings.

With an 8th ITF World Champion crown, the 24-time Major winner also broke the record for most ITF World Champion titles. Steffi Graf, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, previously held the record at seven awards.

Djokovic was named the ITF World Champion for the first time in 2011, after a breakout season that saw him end Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer's duopoly at the Majors. Djokovic subsequently claimed the title on seven other occasions - 2012-16, 2018, 2021, and 2023.

Aryna Sabalenka, meanwhile, was the most dominant WTA player at the Grand Slams in 2023. After winning her maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open, the Belarusian reached the semifinals of the French Open, where she lost to Karolina Muchova.

At Wimbledon Sabalenka reached the semifinals once again, losing to eventual runner-up Ons Jabeur. At the US Open, she reached the final before being defeated by Coco Gauff.

Despite all this, however, she could not finish the season as World No. 1 as she was overtaken by Swiatek at the year-ending WTA Finals.

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Novak Djokovic to begin 2024 season at United Cup

2022 Australian Open: Previews

Novak Djokovic will be eager to carry his 2023 form into next year. The World No. 1 will headline the 2024 United Cup - a mixed-team event that will take place in Sydney and Perth.

The Serb will be joined at the tournament by the ATP NextGen Finals winner Hamad Medjedovic and women's singles top 100 mainstay Olga Danilovic. Women's World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, meanwhile, will team up with her 2024 Paris Olympics mixed doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz.

Djokovic and Swiatek are yet to taste title victory at the United Cup. The 24-time Major winner sat out the mixed team event last year due to scheduling conflicts, playing and reigning supreme at the Adelaide 1 event instead.

Swiatek, meanwhile, won her first three singles matches in 2023 before being beaten by Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-finals as USA beat Poland 5-0.

Aryna Sabalenka, on the other hand, has signed on to play at the WTA 250 Brisbane International to start her year.