Mate Pavić has won the flattering ATP title ahead of the ATP Finals in London.
Croatian tennis player Mate Pavić and his Austrian partner Oliver Marach were declared the best tennis duo of the year by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). This comes just a week after Pavić and Marach also secured the No. 1 spot on the ATP doubles ranking for the end of the year, reports Gol.hr on November 9, 2018.
Pavić and March began 2018 with 17 consecutive wins, and during that time they won the Australian Open. Just a few months later, they made it to the Roland Garros final. Pavić and Marach have played nine ATP finals and have won four titles in 2018 alone.
At age 25, Pavić is the youngest player to finish the season in the first place since 1995 when Todd Woodbridge secured the spot at 24. Marach, at age 38, is the oldest, succeeding American player Sherwood Stewart who became the oldest in 1984.
The returnee of the year award was won by Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, while his Slovakian trainer Marian Vajda was named the best coach of the year.
Djokovic became the first tennis player in history to climb to the top of ranking from outside of the top 20 this season. After his elbow operation at the beginning of the year, Djokovic dropped to the 22nd place on the ATP ranking. His ascent began with winning Wimbledon, and by the end of the year, he won three more tournaments and the US Open.
ATP ANNUAL AWARDS
Returnee of the year: Novak Djoković
Biggest progress: Stefanos Tsitsipas
Novice of the year: Alex de Minaur
Best doubles: MATE PAVIĆ - Oliver Marach
Stefan Edberg Award: Rafael Nadal
Arthur Ashe Award: Tommy Robredo
Favorite doubles: Mike Bryan - Jack Sock
Fan award for best player: Roger Federer
Best Masters 1000 Tournament: Indian Wells
Best 500 Series Tournament: Queen's Club
Best 250 Series Tournament: Stockholm Open
Ron Bookman's Media Excellence: Sue Barker
To read more about Mate Pavić, click here.
