WTA Awards facts for kids
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) gives out special WTA Awards each year. These awards celebrate tennis players and coaches for their amazing achievements. They recognize players who have done great things during a season or throughout their whole careers.
Contents
Player of the Year
This award goes to the best female tennis player of the year. It's like being named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) in other sports!
| Year | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Virginia Wade |  United Kingdom |
| 1978 | Martina Navratilova |  Czechoslovakia |
| 1979 | Martina Navratilova (2) |  Czechoslovakia |
| 1980 | Tracy Austin |  United States |
| 1981 | Chris Evert-Lloyd |  United States |
| 1982 | Martina Navratilova (3) | United States |
| 1983 | Martina Navratilova (4) | United States |
| 1984 | Martina Navratilova (5) | United States |
| 1985 | Martina Navratilova (6) | United States |
| 1986 | Martina Navratilova (7) | United States |
| 1987 | Steffi Graf |  West Germany |
| 1988 | Steffi Graf (2) |  West Germany |
| 1989 | Steffi Graf (3) | West Germany |
| 1990 | Steffi Graf (4) | Germany |
| 1991 | Monica Seles |  Yugoslavia |
| 1992 | Monica Seles (2) |  Yugoslavia |
| 1993 | Steffi Graf (5) | Germany |
| 1994 | Steffi Graf (6) | Germany |
| 1995 | Steffi Graf (7) | Germany |
| 1996 | Steffi Graf (8) | Germany |
| 1997 | Martina Hingis |  Switzerland |
| 1998 | Lindsay Davenport | United States |
| 1999 | Lindsay Davenport (2) | United States |
| 2000 | Venus Williams | United States |
| 2001 | Jennifer Capriati | United States |
| 2002 | Serena Williams | United States |
| 2003 | Justine Henin |  Belgium |
| 2004 | Maria Sharapova |  Russia |
| 2005 | Kim Clijsters |  Belgium |
| 2006 | Amélie Mauresmo |  France |
| 2007 | Justine Henin (2) | Belgium |
| 2008 | Serena Williams (2) | United States |
| 2009 | Serena Williams (3) | United States |
| 2010 | Kim Clijsters (2) | Belgium |
| 2011 | Petra Kvitová | Czech Republic |
| 2012 | Serena Williams (4) | United States |
| 2013 | Serena Williams (5) | United States |
| 2014 | Serena Williams (6) | United States |
| 2015 | Serena Williams (7) | United States |
| 2016 | Angelique Kerber | Germany |
| 2017 | Garbiñe Muguruza |  Spain |
| 2018 | Simona Halep |  Romania |
| 2019 | Ashleigh Barty |  Australia |
| 2020 | Sofia Kenin | United States |
| 2021 | Ashleigh Barty (2) |  Australia |
| 2022 | Iga Świątek |  Poland |
| 2023 | Iga Świątek (2) |  Poland |
| 2024 | Aryna Sabalenka |  Belarus |
Doubles Team of the Year
This award celebrates the best pair of players who team up for doubles matches. They work together to win tournaments!
| Year | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Martina Navratilova Betty Stöve |
Czechoslovakia Netherlands |
| 1978 | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova |
United States Czechoslovakia |
| 1979 | Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova (2) |
United States Czechoslovakia |
| 1980 | Kathy Jordan Anne Smith |
United States United States |
| 1981 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver |
United States United States |
| 1982 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver (2) |
United States United States |
| 1983 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver (3) |
United States United States |
| 1984 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver (4) |
United States United States |
| 1985 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver (5) |
United States United States |
| 1986 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver (6) |
United States United States |
| 1987 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver (7) |
United States United States |
| 1988 | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver (8) |
United States United States |
| 1989 | Jana Novotná Helena Suková |
Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia |
| 1990 | Jana Novotná Helena Suková (2) |
Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia |
| 1991 | Gigi Fernández Jana Novotná |
United States Czechoslovakia |
| 1992 | Larisa Neiland Natasha Zvereva |
 Latvia Belarus |
| 1993 | Gigi Fernández Natasha Zvereva |
United States Belarus |
| 1994 | Gigi Fernández Natasha Zvereva (2) |
United States Belarus |
| 1995 | Gigi Fernández Natasha Zvereva (3) |
United States Belarus |
| 1996 | Jana Novotná Arantxa Sánchez Vicario |
Czech Republic Spain |
| 1997 | Gigi Fernández Natasha Zvereva (4) |
United States Belarus |
| 1998 | Martina Hingis Jana Novotná |
Switzerland Czech Republic |
| 1999 | Martina Hingis Anna Kournikova |
 Switzerland Russia |
| 2000 | Serena Williams Venus Williams |
United States United States |
| 2001 | Lisa Raymond Rennae Stubbs |
United States Australia |
| 2002 | Virginia Ruano Pascual Paola Suárez |
 Spain Argentina |
| 2003 | Virginia Ruano Pascual Paola Suárez (2) |
Spain Argentina |
| 2004 | Virginia Ruano Pascual Paola Suárez (3) |
Spain Argentina |
| 2005 | Lisa Raymond Samantha Stosur |
United States Australia |
| 2006 | Lisa Raymond Samantha Stosur (2) |
United States Australia |
| 2007 | Cara Black Liezel Huber |
 Zimbabwe United States |
| 2008 | Cara Black Liezel Huber (2) |
 Zimbabwe United States |
| 2009 | Serena Williams Venus Williams (2) |
United States United States |
| 2010 | Gisela Dulko Flavia Pennetta |
Argentina Italy |
| 2011 | Květa Peschke Katarina Srebotnik |
Czech Republic Slovenia |
| 2012 | Sara Errani Roberta Vinci |
 Italy Italy |
| 2013 | Sara Errani Roberta Vinci (2) |
Italy Italy |
| 2014 | Sara Errani Roberta Vinci (3) |
Italy Italy |
| 2015 | Martina Hingis Sania Mirza |
Switzerland India |
| 2016 | Caroline Garcia Kristina Mladenovic |
France France |
| 2017 | Martina Hingis Chan Yung-jan |
Switzerland Chinese Taipei |
| 2018 | Barbora Krejčíková Kateřina Siniaková |
Czech Republic Czech Republic |
| 2019 | Tímea Babos Kristina Mladenovic |
 Hungary France |
| 2020 | Tímea Babos Kristina Mladenovic (2) |
 Hungary France |
| 2021 | Barbora Krejčíková Kateřina Siniaková (2) |
Czech Republic Czech Republic |
| 2022 | Barbora Krejčíková Kateřina Siniaková (3) |
Czech Republic Czech Republic |
| 2023 | Storm Hunter Elise Mertens |
Australia Belgium |
| 2024 | Sara Errani Jasmine Paolini |
Italy Italy |
Most Improved Player of the Year
This award goes to the player who has made the biggest improvements in their game during the year. They might have climbed many spots in the rankings or started winning big matches!
| Year | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Wendy Turnbull | Australia |
| 1978 | Virginia Ruzici |  Romania |
| 1979 | Sylvia Hanika | West Germany |
| 1980 | Hana Mandlíková | Czechoslovakia |
| 1981 | Barbara Potter | United States |
| 1982 | Sabina Simmonds | Italy |
| 1983 | Andrea Temesvári | Hungary |
| 1984 | Kathy Jordan | United States |
| 1985 | Helena Suková | Czechoslovakia |
| 1986 | Steffi Graf | West Germany |
| 1987 | Lori McNeil | United States |
| 1988 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | Spain |
| 1989 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (2) | Spain |
| 1990 | Monica Seles | Yugoslavia |
| 1991 | Gabriela Sabatini | Argentina |
| 1992 | Kimiko Date |  Japan |
| 1993 | Magdalena Maleeva |  Bulgaria |
| 1994 | Mary Pierce | France |
| 1995 | Chanda Rubin | United States |
| 1996 | Martina Hingis | Switzerland |
| 1997 | Amanda Coetzer |  South Africa |
| 1998 | Patty Schnyder | Switzerland |
| 1999 | Serena Williams | United States |
| 2000 | Elena Dementieva | Russia |
| 2001 | Justine Henin | Belgium |
| 2002 | Daniela Hantuchová |  Slovakia |
| 2003 | Nadia Petrova |  Russia |
| 2004 | Maria Sharapova | Russia |
| 2005 | Ana Ivanovic |  Serbia and Montenegro |
| 2006 | Jelena Janković |  Serbia |
| 2007 | Ana Ivanovic (2) |  Serbia |
| 2008 | Dinara Safina | Russia |
| 2009 | Yanina Wickmayer | Belgium |
| 2010 | Francesca Schiavone | Italy |
| 2011 | Petra Kvitová | Czech Republic |
| 2012 | Sara Errani | Italy |
| 2013 | Simona Halep | Romania |
| 2014 | Eugenie Bouchard |  Canada |
| 2015 | Timea Bacsinszky | Switzerland |
| 2016 | Johanna Konta | United Kingdom |
| 2017 | Jeļena Ostapenko | Latvia |
| 2018 | Kiki Bertens | Netherlands |
| 2019 | Sofia Kenin | United States |
| 2020 | Iga Świątek | Poland |
| 2021 | Barbora Krejcikova | Czech Republic |
| 2022 | Beatriz Haddad Maia |  Brazil |
| 2023 | Zheng Qinwen |  China |
| 2024 | Emma Navarro | United States |
Newcomer of the Year
This award is for a player who is new to the WTA Tour and has made a big splash. They are usually young players who are just starting their professional careers.
| Year | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Tracy Austin | United States |
| 1978 | Pam Shriver | United States |
| 1979 | Kathy Jordan | United States |
| 1980 | Andrea Jaeger | United States |
| 1981 | Kathy Rinaldi | United States |
| 1982 | Zina Garrison | United States |
| 1983 | Carling Bassett | Canada |
| 1984 | Manuela Maleeva | Bulgaria |
| 1985 | Gabriela Sabatini | Argentina |
| 1986 | Stephanie Rehe | United States |
| 1987 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | Spain |
| 1988 | Natalia Zvereva |  Soviet Union |
| 1989 | Conchita Martínez | Spain |
| 1990 | Jennifer Capriati | United States |
| 1991 | Andrea Strnadová | Czechoslovakia |
| 1992 | Debbie Graham | United States |
| 1993 | Iva Majoli |  Croatia |
| 1994 | Irina Spîrlea | Romania |
| 1995 | Martina Hingis | Switzerland |
| 1996 | Anna Kournikova | Russia |
| 1997 | Venus Williams | United States |
| 1998 | Serena Williams | United States |
| 1999 | Kim Clijsters | Belgium |
| 2000 | Dája Bedáňová | Czech Republic |
| 2001 | Daniela Hantuchová | Slovakia |
| 2002 | Svetlana Kuznetsova | Russia |
| 2003 | Maria Sharapova | Russia |
| 2004 | Tatiana Golovin | France |
| 2005 | Sania Mirza | India |
| 2006 | Agnieszka Radwańska | Poland |
| 2007 | Ágnes Szávay | Hungary |
| 2008 | Caroline Wozniacki |  Denmark |
| 2009 | Melanie Oudin | United States |
| 2010 | Petra Kvitová | Czech Republic |
| 2011 | Irina-Camelia Begu |  Romania |
| 2012 | Laura Robson | United Kingdom |
| 2013 | Eugenie Bouchard |  Canada |
| 2014 | Belinda Bencic | Switzerland |
| 2015 | Daria Gavrilova | Russia |
| 2016 | Naomi Osaka | Japan |
| 2017 | Catherine Bellis | United States |
| 2018 | Aryna Sabalenka | Belarus |
| 2019 | Bianca Andreescu | Canada |
| 2020 | Nadia Podoroska | Argentina |
| 2021 | Emma Raducanu |  United Kingdom |
| 2022 | Zheng Qinwen | China |
| 2023 | Mirra Andreeva | Russia |
| 2024 | Lulu Sun |  New Zealand |
Comeback Player of the Year
This award is given to a player who has returned to playing tennis after being away due to injury or other reasons. They show great determination to get back to their top form!
| Year | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Bettina Bunge | West Germany |
| 1988 | Pascale Paradis | France |
| 1989 | Kathy Rinaldi | United States |
| 1990 | Elizabeth Smylie | Australia |
| 1991 | Stephanie Rehe | United States |
| 1992 | Jenny Byrne | Australia |
| 1993 | Elizabeth Smylie (2) | Australia |
| 1994 | Meredith McGrath | United States |
| 1995 | Monica Seles | United States |
| 1996 | Jennifer Capriati | United States |
| 1997 | Mary Pierce | France |
| 1998 | Monica Seles (2) | United States |
| 1999 | Sabine Appelmans | Belgium |
| 2000 | Iva Majoli | Croatia |
| 2001 | Barbara Schwartz |  Austria |
| 2002 | Corina Morariu | United States |
| 2003 | Amélie Mauresmo | France |
| 2004 | Serena Williams | United States |
| 2005 | Kim Clijsters | Belgium |
| 2006 | Martina Hingis | Switzerland |
| 2007 | Lindsay Davenport | United States |
| 2008 | Zheng Jie |  China |
| 2009 | Kim Clijsters (2) | Belgium |
| 2010 | Justine Henin | Belgium |
| 2011 | Sabine Lisicki | Germany |
| 2012 | Yaroslava Shvedova |  Kazakhstan |
| 2013 | Alisa Kleybanova | Russia |
| 2014 | Mirjana Lučić-Baroni | Croatia |
| 2015 | Venus Williams | United States |
| 2016 | Dominika Cibulková | Slovakia |
| 2017 | Sloane Stephens | United States |
| 2018 | Serena Williams (2) | United States |
| 2019 | Belinda Bencic | Switzerland |
| 2020 | Victoria Azarenka | Belarus |
| 2021 | Carla Suárez Navarro | Spain |
| 2022 | Tatjana Maria | Germany |
| 2023 | Elina Svitolina |  Ukraine |
| 2024 | Paula Badosa | Spain |
Diamond Aces
This award is named after Jerry Diamond, who helped start the WTA. It goes to the player who does a lot to promote tennis, both on and off the court. They are great ambassadors for the sport!
| Year | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | Spain |
| 1996 | Gabriela Sabatini | Argentina |
| 1997 | Amanda Coetzer |  South Africa |
| 1998 | Lindsay Davenport | United States |
| 1999 | Lindsay Davenport (2) | United States |
| 2000 | Martina Hingis | Switzerland |
| 2001 | Martina Hingis (2) | Switzerland |
| 2002 | Not awarded | |
| 2003 | ||
| 2004 | Anastasia Myskina | Russia |
| 2005 | Anastasia Myskina (2) | Russia |
| 2006 | Svetlana Kuznetsova | Russia |
| 2007 | Jelena Janković | Serbia |
| 2008 | Ana Ivanovic | Serbia |
| 2009 | Elena Dementieva | Russia |
| 2010 | Samantha Stosur | Australia |
| 2011 | Caroline Wozniacki | Denmark |
| 2012 | Victoria Azarenka | Belarus |
| 2013 | Victoria Azarenka (2) |  Belarus |
| 2014 | Petra Kvitová | Czech Republic |
| 2015 | Caroline Wozniacki (2) |  Denmark |
| 2016 | Simona Halep | Romania |
| 2017 | Angelique Kerber | Germany |
| 2018 | Elina Svitolina | Ukraine |
| 2019 | Kiki Bertens | Netherlands |
| 2020 | Not awarded | |
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 | Maria Sakkari |  Greece |
| 2023 | Jessica Pegula | United States |
| 2024 | Aryna Sabalenka | Belarus |
Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award
This award is named after Peachy Kellmeyer, who was very important in the early days of the WTA. It honors players who help out their fellow players and the tour. In 2020, the award went to all the members of the WTA Players' Council. They worked hard to help the tour return safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Year | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Jim Bainbridge | United States |
| 1978 | Trish Faulkner | Australia |
| 1979 | Edy McGoldrick | United States |
| 1980 | Diane Desfor | United States |
| 1981 | Barbara Jordan | United States |
| 1982 | Diane Desfor (2) | United States |
| 1983 | Lele Forood | United States |
| 1984 | Kim Shaefer | United States |
| 1985 | Chris Evert | United States |
| 1986 | Marcella Mesker | Netherlands |
| 1987 | Chris Evert (2) | United States |
| 1988 | Candy Reynolds | United States |
| 1989 | Mercedes Paz | Argentina |
| 1990 | Wendy Turnbull | Australia |
| 1991 | Kathy Jordan | United States |
| 1992 | Elise Burgin | United States |
| 1993 | Pam Shriver | United States |
| 1994 | Marianne Werdel | United States |
| 1995 | Marianne Werdel (2) | United States |
| 1996 | Katrina Adams | United States |
| 1997 | Katrina Adams (2) | United States |
| 1998 | Joannette Kruger | South Africa |
| 1999 | Nicole Pratt | Australia |
| 2000 | Nicole Pratt (2) | Australia |
| 2001 | Nicole Pratt (3) | Australia |
| 2002 | Not Awarded | |
| 2003 | Kim Clijsters | Belgium |
| 2004 | Nicole Pratt (4) | Australia |
| 2005 | Liezel Huber | United States |
| 2006 | Kim Clijsters (2) | Belgium |
| 2007 | Liezel Huber (2) | United States |
| 2008 | Liezel Huber (3) | United States |
| 2009 | Liezel Huber (4) | United States |
| 2010 | Kim Clijsters (3) | Belgium |
| 2011 | Francesca Schiavone | Italy |
| 2012 | Venus Williams | United States |
| 2013 | Venus Williams (2) | United States |
| 2014 | Lucie Šafářová | Czech Republic |
| 2015 | Lucie Šafářová (2) | Czech Republic |
| 2016 | Lucie Šafářová (3) | Czech Republic |
| 2017 | Lucie Šafářová (4) | Czech Republic |
| 2018 | Bethanie Mattek-Sands | United States |
| 2019 | Gabriela Dabrowski | Canada |
| 2020 | Kristie Ahn Gabriela Dabrowski (2) Madison Keys Johanna Konta Aleksandra Krunić Christina McHale Kristina Mladenovic Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Sloane Stephens Donna Vekić |
United States Canada United States United Kingdom Serbia United States France Russia United States Croatia |
| 2021 | Kristie Ahn (2) | United States |
| 2022 | Gabriela Dabrowski (3) | Canada |
| 2023 | Ons Jabeur |  Tunisia |
| 2024 | Ons Jabeur (2) |  Tunisia |
Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award
This award is named after Karen Krantzcke, an Australian player known for her fair play. It's given to the player who shows the best sportsmanship and respect on the court. Other players vote for who they think deserves this special award.
| Year | Player | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Evonne Goolagong | Australia |
| 1979 | Chris Evert | United States |
| 1980 | Evonne Goolagong (2) | Australia |
| 1981 | Diane Desfor | United States |
| 1982 | Nancy Yeargin | United States |
| 1983 | Sharon Walsh-Pete | United States |
| 1984 | Marcella Mesker |  Netherlands |
| 1985 | Peanut Louie-Harper | United States |
| 1986 | Peanut Louie-Harper (2) | United States |
| 1987 | Anne Minter | Australia |
| 1988 | Svetlana Parkhomenko |  Soviet Union |
| 1989 | Gretchen Magers | United States |
| 1990 | Mercedes Paz | Argentina |
| 1991 | Judith Wiesner | Austria |
| 1992 | Jill Hetherington | Canada |
| 1993 | Nicole Arendt | United States |
| 1994 | Kimberly Po | United States |
| 1995 | Amanda Coetzer | South Africa |
| 1996 | Yayuk Basuki |  Indonesia |
| 1997 | Amanda Coetzer (2) | South Africa |
| 1998 | Yayuk Basuki (2) |  Indonesia |
| 1999 | Ai Sugiyama |  Japan |
| 2000 | Kim Clijsters | Belgium |
| 2001 | Kim Clijsters (2) | Belgium |
| 2002 | Kim Clijsters (3) | Belgium |
| 2003 | Kim Clijsters (4) | Belgium |
| 2004 | Lindsay Davenport | United States |
| 2005 | Kim Clijsters (5) | Belgium |
| 2006 | Kim Clijsters (6) | Belgium |
| 2007 | Ana Ivanovic | Serbia |
| 2008 | Elena Dementieva | Russia |
| 2009 | Kim Clijsters (7) | Belgium |
| 2010 | Elena Dementieva (2) | Russia |
| 2011 | Petra Kvitová | Czech Republic |
| 2012 | Kim Clijsters (8) | Belgium |
| 2013 | Petra Kvitová (2) | Czech Republic |
| 2014 | Petra Kvitová (3) | Czech Republic |
| 2015 | Petra Kvitová (4) | Czech Republic |
| 2016 | Petra Kvitová (5) | Czech Republic |
| 2017 | Petra Kvitová (6) | Czech Republic |
| 2018 | Petra Kvitová (7) | Czech Republic |
| 2019 | Petra Kvitová (8) | Czech Republic |
| 2020 | Marie Bouzková | Czech Republic |
| 2021 | Carla Suárez Navarro | Spain |
| 2022 | Ons Jabeur | Tunisia |
| 2023 | Ons Jabeur (2) | Tunisia |
| 2024 | Ons Jabeur (3) | Tunisia |
WTA Coach of the Year Award
This award celebrates the best coach on the WTA Tour. A great coach helps players improve their skills and reach their full potential.
| Year | Coach | Of player |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Sascha Bajin |
Naomi Osaka |
| 2019 | Craig Tyzzer |
Ashleigh Barty |
| 2020 | Piotr Sierzputowski |
Iga Świątek |
| 2021 | Conchita Martínez |
Garbiñe Muguruza |
| 2022 | David Witt |
Jessica Pegula |
| 2023 | Tomasz Wiktorowski |
Iga Świątek |
| 2024 | Renzo Furlan |
Jasmine Paolini |
Other Awards
The WTA also gives out other awards, like the Fan Favorite Awards (where fans vote for their favorite players) and Tournament Awards (for the best tournaments).
Yearly Awards
You can find more details about the awards given out in specific years by clicking on these links:
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
See also
In Spanish: Premios WTA para niños
- ATP Awards
- ITF World Champions
- World number 1 ranked female tennis players
- World number 1 ranked male tennis players
- Tennis statistics
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WTA Awards Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.