2024 was dominated by big names like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, but that didn’t stop it from being a year of surprises as well. Today we look back at some of the biggest shock upsets that we witnessed this year. Surprisingly, we had to be selective, as there were quite a few!
Without any further ado…
Nardi d. Djokovic Indian Wells
Indian Wells barely had time to celebrate the return of Novak Djokovic to the California desert for the first time since 2019 before he was unceremoniously bounced from the draw by Italy’s Luca Nardi, who became the lowest-ranked player to ever defeat the Slam king at a Masters 1000 or Grand Slam, at No.123.
Nardi, a lucky loser, showed no inhibition as he stunned the World No.1 in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 17 minutes – it was his first ever match against a Top 5 talent.
Bouzas Maniero d. Voundrousova, Wimbledon
Marketa Vondrousova made the type of history that no one wants to make at Wimbledon this year, as the 2023 Wimbledon champion became first defending champ to fall in Round one at the All England Club since Steffi Graf lost to Lori McNeil in 1994.
World No.83 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain toppled 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova on Centre Court, 6-4, 6-2.
“I think this is one of the most important moments in my life and in my career,” elated Maneiro said on court. “I was like: I have no pressure, just enjoy the moment and enjoy the tournament, just trying to play free and I did it, so I’m happy for that.”
Noskova d Swiatek Australian Open
Iga Swiatek was in the hunt for her maiden Australian Open title this January – until she wasn’t. The Pole was up by a set in her third round action with Czech teen Linda Noskova, but she couldn’t manage to tame the 19-year-old, who dug deep to become the first teenager to defeat the top-ranked player at the Australian Open since Amelie Mauresmo stunned Lindsay Davenport in 1999.
Navarro d. Sabalenka, Indian Wells
Given that Aryna Sabalenka was just two months removed from capturing her second Australian Open title in March when she faced talented Emma Navarro in the round of 16 at Indian Wells, she was the heavy favorite against the American, who had never defeated a Top 5 player or reached a 1000-level quarterfinal.
But it all changed as Navarro harnessed the enthusiasm of the partisan crowd and posted a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win over two-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka. The Belarusian – correctly – predicted big things for Navarro, who was then ranked No.23, after the loss.
“Her potential is really great,” said Sabalenka. “I think she's already in the top. I think she has this potential to be in the Top 10.”
Andreeva d. Sabalenka, Roland-Garros
Sabalenka was again the victim three months later when she fell to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva on Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland-Garros., 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4. It was a wild match, with Sabalenka struggling with illness and on the verge of capitulation across the final two sets. Meanwhile, Andreeva didn’t even know what the score was.
“I even forgot what was the score was,” the Russian teen said. “When it was the second match point for me, I tried to imagine I was saving a break point. I tried to play brave. And I managed to win.”
Van de Zandschulp d. Alcaraz US Open
Perhaps the biggest shocker of all of our upsets was this. Former champion Carlos Alcaraz – winner of the last two major titles – went down to Botic Van de Zandschulp, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4, in second round action at the US Open. Yes, you read that right: Alcaraz lost in straight sets, and the Spaniard suffered his first loss in the second round of a major since 2021 at Wimbledon.
28-year-old Van de Zandschulp was magnificent, earning his first Top 5 win at a major and just his second Top 5 win in 12 matches.
Kalinskaya d Swiatek, Dubai
Anna Kalinskaya had been making waves by the end of 2023. But she took it to another level in 2024, and there is no better example of her strong play than what she did in Dubai in February. With two Top 10 wins under her belt already (against Jelena Ostapenko and Coco Gauff), the qualifier earned her first win over a reigning World No.1 by toppling Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-4.
“I knew if I didn't stay calm and I didn't stay aggressive, she was gonna destroy me!" Kalinskaya said. Ranked 40 at the time, Kalinskaya went on to finish the season impressively, at No.14.
Popyrin d. Djokovic US Open
It’s always a shock when Novak Djokovic loses, but at a major, and in the third round? It happened this year at Flushing Meadows, when Alexei Popyrin made the most of his chances to earn a 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 over the 24-time Slam champion.
Djokovic, who hit 14 double faults, was shocked by his own level. "I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly," he said. "Serving -- by far -- the worst ever." Blame the Olympic hangover, or the ascent of Popyrin, who also won his first Masters title in 2024. Maybe a bit of both…
Paolini d. Rybakina Roland-Garros
There was a time when we didn’t expect Italy’s Jasmine Paolini to play like a Grand Slam juggernaut. The woman who entered the 2024 season with a 4-16 record at the majors let us all know that times were changing when she battled past Elena Rybakina at Roland-Garros this spring, notching a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory on the terre battue to reach her maiden major semifinal.
Rybakina had raced to victory in 20 of her last 21 matches on the clay, a streak that included a three-set win over Paolini en route to her third career clay-court title in Stuttgart earlier this spring. Paolini, meanwhile, was playing her first major quarter-final and had never defeated a top-5 player at the Grand Slams.
The rest, as they say, is history. Paolini would reach the final in Paris, and back that performance up with a trip to the Wimbledon final just to prove it wasn’t a fluke.