The tennis world's annual awards season is a time to celebrate the year's most dominant champions and its most inspiring stories. At the end of 2024, all eyes were on the prestigious ATP Awards, where the winners are voted for by the players themselves. In a stunning upset that has captured the imagination of fans, the coveted ATP Breakthrough of the Year award did not go to British sensation Jack Draper, the heavy favorite, but to an unlikely champion from a nation with a rich but recently quiet tennis history: China's Zhang Zhizhen.
The Breakthrough Contenders: A Tale of Two Seasons
On paper, Jack Draper's 2024 campaign seemed tailor-made for the Breakthrough award. The 22-year-old left-hander finally shook off the injury woes that had plagued his early career to deliver a season of remarkable consistency and explosive power. He captured his maiden ATP title in Stuttgart, reached the final in Eastbourne, and scored a series of top-10 victories, including a stunning win over Carlos Alcaraz at Queen's Club. By season's end, he had broken into the world's Top 25, firmly establishing himself as Britain's new No. 1 and a genuine threat on any surface.
Zhang Zhizhen's path, however, was one of historic firsts. While Draper was fulfilling long-held expectations, "ZZZ" was shattering ceilings for Chinese men's tennis. His 2024 was a continuation of a groundbreaking 2023, where he became the first Chinese man to break into the Top 50 and reach the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event in Madrid. In 2024, he solidified that status with a series of landmark achievements:
- Winning the gold medal in men's singles at the Asian Games, a monumental victory for Chinese sport.
- Reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, another first for a Chinese man in Melbourne.
- Consistently challenging the world's best, maintaining a position inside the world's Top 50 and proving his 2023 was no fluke.
The Verdict from the Locker Room
The unique aspect of the ATP Awards is that the winners are selected by a vote of the ATP players. This peer-reviewed honor carries a special weight, reflecting respect from within the tour's fiercely competitive bubble. The result revealed that while Draper's brilliant season was undoubtedly admired, Zhang's unprecedented journey for an entire nation resonated more deeply with his fellow competitors.
The award's credibility is further bolstered by the selection panel that nominated the candidates. This panel included tennis legends and astute observers of the game: Andy Murray, former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, and Mats Wilander, a seven-time major winner. Their shortlist placed Draper and Zhang side-by-side, setting the stage for the player vote.
What the Win Represents
Zhang's victory is about more than just ranking points or titles; it's about legacy and inspiration. For decades, Chinese tennis success has been synonymous with its women's game, led by icons like Li Na. Zhang Zhizhen, with his powerful serve and fearless baseline game, is pioneering a new path. His award sends a powerful message to every young player in Asia: "The highest level of the men's game is attainable." In the players' eyes, breaking a decades-long barrier for a nation of 1.4 billion people constituted the true essence of a "breakthrough."
Reaction and the Road Ahead
The tennis community's reaction has been one of widespread approval, acknowledging the difficulty of the choice. Former player and analyst Laura Robson captured the sentiment, stating, "It's an incredibly tough category this year. Jack has had an amazing season and is a superstar in the making, but what Zhang is doing for Chinese tennis is historic. The players have recognized that unique impact."
For Jack Draper, missing out on the award is undoubtedly a disappointment, but likely a minor footnote in what is shaping up to be a stellar career. His focus remains on the physical resilience and Grand Slam success that could make him a contender for higher honors like Most Improved Player or even ATP No. 1 in the future. The award snub may well add a chip on the shoulder of a player whose powerful game is built on intensity.
For Zhang Zhizhen, the ATP Breakthrough of the Year award is a monumental validation. It is a trophy that signifies acceptance and respect from his peers on the global stage. It adds immense pressure but also fuel as he carries the hopes of a nation into the 2025 season. The question now is whether he can build on this breakthrough to challenge for ATP titles and make deeper runs at the Slams, transforming from a trailblazer into a consistent tour winner.
Conclusion: A Victory for the Underdog Narrative
In the end, the 2024 ATP Breakthrough of the Year award tells a classic sports story: the triumph of the historic underdog over the anointed favorite. Jack Draper's year was one of excellent execution and meeting potential. Zhang Zhizhen's was one of defying history and changing the landscape of his sport. The players, guided by the nominations of legends like Murray and Wilander, chose the latter. They voted not just for a season's results, but for a seismic shift in the game's geography. Zhang's award is a reminder that in tennis, as in all sports, true breakthroughs are measured not only in rankings and trophies, but in the barriers they break and the new dreams they make possible.