By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday December 11, 2019
Ashleigh Barty is getting the recognition she deserves after a wonderful 2019 campaign. The Aussie was named the WTA’s 2019 Player of the Year on Wednesday, as the Tour announced all of its 2019 WTA Player Awards.
Barty, who won her first major title at Roland Garros and finished the season as the World No.1, captured four WTA titles and became the first Australian woman to finish a season with the WTA’s top ranking since 1976. Barty was also the only player to reach the second week at all four majors in 2019, and she led the WTA Tour in overall victories with 57.
Canada’s Bianca Andreescu took home Newcomer of the Year Awards after putting forth a remarkable season that saw her become the first player in history to win the US Open on her debut.
Andreescu, who burst onto the scene in 2019 and climbed from outside the Top 150 to No.5 in the world, also won the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s top athlete.
Sofia Kenin won Most Improved Player honors after leading the WTA in hard court victories and taking home three titles. The American finished 2019 with her first Top 20 year-end ranking and currently resides at No.14 in the world.
Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic, who won Roland Garros and the WTA Finals, took home the Doubles Team of the Year, while Belinda Bencic took home Comeback Player of the Year.
Kiki Bertens won the WTA Jerry Diamond ACES Award, which is awarded to the player who consistently goes above and beyond in promoting the sport of women’s tennis to fans, media, and local communities.