The International Tennis Federation (ITF) annually appoints a “world champion” (men and women), and in 2023, Novak Djokovic and Arina Sabalenka were chosen, writes Reuters.

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenko, recognized as “World Champions” of 2023

The world governing body of the white sport focuses on the results achieved by the players in the Grand Slam tournaments.

Djokovic won the singles award for a record eighth time, winning three of the four major tournaments.

At the age of 36, the Serbian won 24 Grand Slam tournaments, equaling the Australian Margaret Court for the number of major singles trophies.

He also won a record-tying seventh Tour of Champions (ATP Finals) and finished the year at No. 1 in the ATP rankings for the eighth time in his career.

On the women’s side, Sabalenko won her first major trophy at the Australian Open, reached the final at the US Open and reached the semifinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year.

The Belarusian, who was dethroned by Poland’s Iga Sviatek after the WTA Finals, said 2023 was an “unbelievable year” and said she was delighted to be named world champion.

In the men’s doubles, the honors went to American Rajiv Ram and Great Britain’s Joe Salisbury, who won their third consecutive US Open title, while Australia’s Storm Hunter and Belgium’s Elise Mertens (Wimbledon finalists) took the honors in the women’s doubles.

ITF World Champions – who won the award over time

• Man

1978 Björn Borg

1979 Bjorn Borg (2)

1980 Bjorn Borg (3)

1981 John McEnroe

1982 Jimmy Connors

1983 John McEnroe (2)

1984 John McEnroe (3)

1985 Ivan Lendl

1986 Ivan Lendl (2)

1987 Ivan Lendl (3)

1988 Mats Wilander

1989 Boris Becker

1990 Ivan Lendl (4)

1991 Stefan Edberg

1992 Jim Courier

1993 Pete Sampras

1994 Pete Sampras (2)

1995 Pete Sampras (3)

1996 Pete Sampras (4)

1997 Pete Sampras (5)

1998 Pete Sampras (6)

1999 Andre Agassi

2000 Gustavo Kuerten

2001 Lleyton Hewitt

2002 Lleyton Hewitt (2)

2003 Andy Roddick

2004 Roger Federer

2005 Roger Federer (2)

2006 Roger Federer (3)

2007 Roger Federer (4)

2008 Rafael Nadal

2009 Roger Federer (5)

2010 Rafael Nadal (2)

2011 Novak Djokovic

2012 Novak Djokovic (2)

2013 Novak Djokovic (3)

2014 Novak Djokovic (4)

2015 Novak Djokovic (5)

2016 Andy Murray

2017 Rafael Nadal (3)

2018 Novak Djokovic (6)

2019 Rafael Nadal (4)

2020 No award due to the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Novak Djokovic (7)

2022 Rafael Nadal (5)

2023 Novak Djokovic (8)

• Woman

1978 Chris Evert

1979 Martina Navratilova

1980 Chris Evert (2)

1981 Chris Evert (3)

1982 Martina Navratilova (2)

1983 Martina Navratilova (3)

1984 Martina Navratilova (4)

1985 Martina Navratilova (5)

1986 Martina Navratilova (6)

1987 Steffi Graf

1988 Steffi Graf (2)

1989 Steffi Graf (3)

1990 Steffi Graf (4)

1991 Monica Seles

1992 Monica Seles (2)

1993 Steffi Graf (5)

1994 Aranta Sanchez Vicario

1995 Steffi Graf (6)

1996 Steffi Graf (7)

1997 Martina Hingis

1998 Lindsay Davenport

1999 Martina Hingis (2)

2000 Martina Hingis (3)

2001 Jennifer Capriati

2002 Serena Williams

2003 Justine Henin

2004 Anastasia Myskina

2005 Kim Clijsters

2006 Justine Henin (2)

2007 Justine Henin (3)

2008 Yelena Yankovich

2009 Serena Williams (2)

2010 Caroline Wozniacki

2011 Petra Kvitova

2012 Serena Williams (3)

2013 Serena Williams (4)

2014 Serena Williams (5)

2015 Serena Williams (6)

2016 Angelique Kerber

2017 Garbiñe Muguruza

2018 Simona Halep

2019 Ashley Barty

2020 No award due to the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Ashley Barty (2)

2022 Iga Svyontek

2023 Aryna Sabalenko.