Rafa Nadal among nominees revealed for the 2021 ATP Awards
The nominees for the 2021 ATP Awards have been announced, with 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal being nominated for the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award.
Rafael Nadal has been voted by his peers as the winner of the Sportsmanship Award for three straight years and could make it a fourth should he win this year. Nadal’s fellow nominees include Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud and Frances Tiafoe.
The award is given to the player who has conducted themselves with the highest level of professionalism, integrity and fairness and has also promoted the game through their off-court activities.
Moreover, World number eight Casper Ruud and his father received nominations for three separate awards for a season which saw the Norwegian win five tour-level tournaments, break into the ATP top ten and reach the semi-finals of the ATP Finals.
Casper Ruud has been nominated for the Most Improved Player of the Year Award and the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, whilst father and coach Christian Ruud has been nominated for Coach of the Year by fellow coaches.
Carlos Alcaraz, Aslan Karatsev, Cameron Norrie and Casper Ruud have all been nominated for the Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
18-year-old Spanish sensation Alcaraz enjoyed the biggest rankings rise in 2021 going from 141st to 32nd, a total of 109 positions. Alcaraz also won the Next Gen ATP Finals dropping just one set throughout the entire tournament.
Additionally, Sebastian Baez, Jenson Brooksby, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Hugo Gaston and Brandon Nakashima were all put forward for the Newcomer of the Year Award.
In the only award voted for by coaches, Craig Boynton (Hubert Hurkacz), Giles Cervara (Daniil Medvedev), Juan Carlos Ferrero (Carlos Alcaraz), Facundo Lugones (Cameron Norrie) and Christian Ruud (Casper Ruud) all received nominations for Coach of the Year.
Finally, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Mackenzie McDonald, Andy Murray and Jack Sock are the nominees for Comeback Player of the Year after making returns from injuries.
The winners, including the Fans’ Favourite award, will be revealed in late December.
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