In 2024, Tennis Was Busy With Action On and Off the Court

Throughout much of the year, pro tennis players complained that the calendar was more overstuffed than their luggage following a weekslong tournament run and that the off-season was as slim as Sebastian Korda’s lanky frame.

But as 2024 closes and thoughts move to the new season, which begins with the United Cup in Australia this month, the sport has seen several surprises in the last few weeks.

Just as we were committing to memory some extraordinary matches this year — including Carlos Alcaraz’s five-set Roland Garros semifinal victory over Jannik Sinner; his final-round win over Sinner in Beijing that snapped Sinner’s 16-match win streak; Iga Swiatek’s third-set tiebreaker over Aryna Sabalenka in the final of Madrid; and Coco Gauff’s 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) win over Zheng Qinwen in the finals of the WTA Finals — there were even more upending developments off court.

The most unexpected revelation was the news that Novak Djokovic, who split with his longtime coach Goran Ivanisevic in March and played largely coachless throughout the season, suddenly announced that he was adding Andy Murray to his coaching team at least through the Australian Open in January.

The move dispelled any rumors that Djokovic, 37, who failed to win a major in 2024 for the first time since 2017 — but did capture a gold medal at the Paris Olympics over Alcaraz — is nearing retirement. It also delivered a message to his foes that Djokovic is aiming for a record-breaking 25th major in 2025.