Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Taylor Fritz, and Daniil Medvedev lead the field at the World Tennis League 2024. (Photos: Getty)
Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Taylor Fritz, and Daniil Medvedev lead the field at the World Tennis League 2024.
The World Tennis League will return for its third edition from December 19-22, 2024. This year’s edition will also be held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The mixed-team exhibition event has received a promising response so far, so it is no surprise that some of the sport’s biggest names will return to compete this year as well.
Just like the previous editions, players have been divided into four teams of four players each. Leading the charge for Team Hawks is World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, along with US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, teen phenom Mirra Andreeva, and Sumit Nagal.
Five-time Major champion Iga Swiatek will spearhead Team Eagles’ challenge, along with compatriot Hubert Hurkacz. Reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, and World No. 7 Casper Ruud complete the line-up.
Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina lead Team Falcons. They’ll be joined by Caroline Garcia and World No. 8 Andrey Rublev.
Lastly, Nick Kyrgios will return to action after a lengthy injury hiatus as a part of Team Kites. Dating couple Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas will be the Australian’s teammates, along with World No. 4 Jasmine Paolini.
Teams face each other in a round robin format, with the top two teams duking it out for the title later on. Each tie will consist of four sets this year, starting with a singles set featuring a male and a female player each. The two doubles sets will be a combination of a men’s doubles, women’s doubles, or a mixed doubles set, which will be decided by the team captain who wins the toss.
Team Kites gunning to win the World Tennis League after two runner-up finishes
Aryna Sabalenka was a part of the team that placed second at World Tennis League 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Aryna Sabalenka was a part of the team that placed second at World Tennis League 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Team composition at the World Tennis League has changed every year, so no player has made back-to-back finals, or has been part of the winning team twice. Team Hawks, consisting of Elena Rybakina, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkov, won the debut edition over Team Kites.
Team Eagles, which featured Daniil Medvedev, Sofia Kenin, Andrey Rublev, and Mirra Andreeva, took home the top honors over Team Kites last year. Aryna Sabalenka, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Paula Badosa, and Grigor Dimitrov were the losing finalists.
Players playing under the banner of Team Kites have always reached the summit clash at the World Tennis League. If the trend continues, then Tsitsipas, Badosa, Nick Kyrgios and Jasmine Paolini will be players one can expect to see in the final this time.
