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Tabilo, Lehecka, Thompson, Mpetshi Perricard also feature in stacked list
December 11, 2024
Jack Draper celebrates after winning the Boss Open title in Stuttgart.
BossOpen
Jack Draper celebrates after winning the Boss Open title in Stuttgart.
By ATP Staff
Few moments in a professional tennis career rival the thrill of a first ATP Tour title run.

In 2024, the spotlight shone on 12 players who broke through and tasted a tour-level triumph for the very first time, whether as seasoned veterans or fresh-faced newcomers. As part of our annual season-in-review series, ATPTour.com reflects on those who joined the winner’s circle this year.

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Jiri Lehecka, Adelaide
In a battle between two explosive hitters each chasing their maiden ATP Tour trophy, Lehecka produced an expertly measured comeback to prevail against Jack Draper in the Adelaide International title tilt. After being overpowered in the first set, the Czech shifted to a more aggressive approach and began to dominate the exchanges with ease to notch a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.

“It’s hard for me to say something, because it is so emotional for me to win my first title here in Adelaide,” said Lehecka. “It was one of my goals to win a title in 2024 and I’m happy to make it a reality in the first week.” Read Lehecka’s First-Time Winner Q&A

Alejandro Tabilo, Auckland
Tabilo started his 2024 campaign in style at the ASB Classic in Auckland. The qualifier dropped just one set across six victories in a standout week and he jumped inside the Top 50 for the first time in his career as a result, joining Cristian Garin and Nicolas Jarry as the only active Chilean singles champions on the ATP Tour.

“It's an unbelievable feeling, very emotional,” Tabilo said. “ I never thought it would be this week. I’m just very happy with the tennis that I played, and very emotional.” Read Tabilo’s First-Time Winner Q&A

Luciano Darderi, Cordoba
In just the third all-qualifier final in ATP Tour history, Darderi held his nerve to secure a maiden title against Facundo Bagnis at the Cordoba Open. With his milestone run, the Italian catapulted himself 60 places to No. 76 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

"I feel really good, I can't believe I have won my first ATP title," Darderi said. "Last week I lost in the [second] round of a Challenger.” Read Darderi’s First-Time Winner Q&A

Facundo Diaz Acosta, Buenos Aires
Wild card Diaz Acosta completed a dream week at the IEB+ Argentina Open, where he powered to five victories without dropping a set. With his remarkable triumph, which included a dominant win over Nicolas Jarry in the final, Diaz Acosta joined Rafael Nadal as the only left-handed champions in tournament history.

“I have been dreaming about this moment for a long time with my team,” the Argentine said. “I still can't figure out how I won the tournament without losing sets." Read Diaz Acosta’s First-Time Winner Q&A

Jordan Thompson, Los Cabos
It was a Thompson double in Los Cabos as the Australian sealed his maiden ATP Tour title just hours after lifting the doubles trophy with partner Max Purcell at the Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo. Thompson’s singles triumph is underpinned by his monumental turnaround in his quarter-final against Alex Michelsen, where he clawed his way back from 0-6, 0-3 down to secure victory.

"It means the world,” Thompson said after his 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-5 win. “I grew up wanting to play on the ATP Tour and never thought I’d be lifting a champion’s trophy. Actually it hasn’t sunk in yet, but it’s one of the best moments of my career, if not the best.” Read Thompson’s First-Time Winner
Jan-Lennard Struff, Munich
Struff’s dream moment finally arrived on home soil at the fourth time of asking. Having lost three prior finals, the German produced an imposing performance to see off Taylor Fritz and lift the BMW Open trophy in Munich.

“[It feels] unbelievable, and to do it on home soil is just incredible,” said Struff. “I waited so long. I’m 33 years old and played so long on Tour. It’s just an amazing feeling to do it here in Germany.” Read Struff’s First-Time Winner Q&A

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Lyon
Victory does not taste much sweeter than when it is secured in your home city. Just ask Mpetshi Perricard, who flashed his credentials en route to the Open Parc title in Lyon. Playing in just his third tour-level main draw, the explosive Frenchman proved that he is much more than a big server.

The triumph in Lyon proved just the beginning for the 6'8" Frenchman, who went on to lift his maiden ATP 500 title at the Swiss Indoors Basel later in the year.

“It means a lot. A lot of dedication, a lot of hard training, a lot of questions about my game,” Mpetshi Perricard said. “But I'm very happy to win this one in Lyon especially, my hometown.” Read Mpetshi Perricard’s First-Time Winner Q&A

Jack Draper, Stuttgart
It was championship-match glory at the third time for Draper at the BOSS OPEN in Stuttgart, where he clinched his maiden ATP Tour title. Competing in his third tour-level final, the Briton secured a 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 comeback over two-time former champion Matteo Berrettini.

It was a week of firsts for Draper, who with the milestone moment cemented his status as the British No. 1, and it led to a stellar end to the season during which he finished as No. 15 in the PIF ATP Rankings with two ATP Tour titles to his name (Stuttgart, Vienna).

“Honestly it means the world to me,” Draper said after his Stuttgart win. “I've been working for this moment for a very long time. Hopefully it's a testament to all my hard work.” Read Draper’s First-Time Winner Q&A

Nuno Borges, Bastad
Borges found a fitting way to clinch his first ATP Tour title at the Nordea Open in Bastad. The Portuguese powered past Rafael Nadal on the Nordic clay, dismantling the 22-time Grand Slam titlist’s serve on five occasions in the championship match.

“It’s crazy, in tennis it doesn’t happen when you expect it sometimes,” said Borges. “I know we all wanted Rafa to win, a part of me wished that too, but something even bigger inside of me really pushed through today.” Read Borges First-Time Winner Q&A

Marcos Giron, Newport
The wait was finally over for 30-year-old Giron, who triumphed at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport. The American produced some of his most gutsy tennis to save a match point and outlast countryman Alex Michelsen in the final.

"Better late than never. We'll take it!" Giron said with a laugh. "It's really special. For me this has been years of hard work, years of dedication and years of support from family, friends and coaches." Read Giron’s First-Time Winner Q&A

Shang Juncheng, Chengdu
#NextGenATP star Shang etched his name into the history books when he emerged victorious on home turf at the Chengdu Open. Not only did the 19-year-old become just the second Chinese player to win an ATP Tour singles title after Wu Yibing won in Dallas in 2023, but he also became the first player born in 2005 or later to triumph on the ATP Tour.

“I've never thought that I would do it this early in my career,” Shang said. “All of [the other Chinese players], they support me, and we support each other. We're kind of competing against each other, the Chinese players.” Read Shang’s First-Time Winner Q&A

Benjamin Bonzi, Metz
Bonzi’s incredible run of form to close the season ended in jubilation at the Moselle Open in Metz. The French qualifier entered the event having won 14 of his previous 15 matches, including two ATP Challenger Tour titles, and he picked up where he left off with an emphatic run to his first tour-level title.

”I was not expecting a week like that,” said Bonzi. “That’s crazy to finish the year like this.” Read Bonzi’s First-Time Winner Q&A