This analysis covers the period from December 25, 2023, to November 11, 2024, and aims to provide insight into the factors that may have contributed to their struggles, whether it be injuries, inconsistent form, or mental hurdles. While the season has been full of standout performances, these players’ rankings and results have left many wondering what went wrong. Stay tuned as we delve into the disappointments of 2024 and reflect on how these players can rebound moving forward.
Cameron Norrie: 18 → 50
To begin the underachievers, we have Cam Norrie, who had a torrid year, marked by missed chances and injury setbacks. Despite reaching his first ATP final in 19 months at the Moselle Open, the British No. 2 lost in straight sets, falling short of securing his first title since 2023. Injuries, including a forearm issue that sidelined him for much of the summer, severely disrupted his year, forcing him to miss key events like the US Open and Davis Cup. Norrie’s struggles with consistency and fitness have left him outside the top 40, and he’ll be hoping to set the ship straight in 2025.
Borna Coric: 37 → 97
Next is Borna Ćorić's, whose season was disappointing, with the Croatian dropping from No. 37 to No. 97. Despite feeling his game was in good shape early on hard courts, Ćorić struggled to convert strong performances into wins. His clay-court season, usually a strength, saw him post a poor 2-5 record, further hindering his progress. The former top-20 player admitted that it has been a tough year, as he couldn't find the form needed to compete at a higher level. Some Injuries but mostly inconsistent results derailed his season, leading to a sharp decline in his ranking.
Max Purcell: 45 → 103
Purcell's season was a challenging one, as the Australian dropped from No. 45 to No. 103 in the rankings. While he dealt with some minor nagging injuries throughout the year, the primary issue was his inability to defend his points and convert key opportunities. Purcell lost several matches he should have won, which hindered his progress and prevented him from building on his solid 2023 campaign. Despite flashes of his potential, inconsistency plagued his performances, and he struggled to maintain the level needed to stay competitive. The season marked a significant setback for Purcell, as he failed to meet expectations and saw his ranking take a significant hit.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina: 26 → 62
Fokina’s season was hindered by a series of injuries and illnesses, causing a significant drop in his ranking from No. 26 to No. 62. His year began with illness in April, leading to withdrawals from Estoril and Barcelona. In June, a back injury forced him to miss Eastbourne and Wimbledon, keeping him off the grass courts. He returned in July at Atlanta but faced more setbacks, including an illness-related withdrawal from Montreal in August and a lower back injury that led to a retirement at the Paris Masters. While his season lacked consistency, missing grass events wasn’t as detrimental due to his struggles on the surface. Health will be key for his future success.
Mackenzie McDonald: 41 → 132
Mackie’s season was largely defined by injury setbacks, causing his ranking to plummet from No. 41 to No. 132. After suffering a right foot issue at the Australian Open, the American was sidelined for several months, only returning to competition in May. Upon his comeback, he struggled to string together wins, with most of his tournaments ending in early losses. A left knee injury, sustained during the Cincinnati doubles final, forced him to withdraw from Winston-Salem, and he later withdrew from the doubles event in Hangzhou and the Shanghai Masters due to a right shoulder issue. McDonald's decline was primarily due to his persistent injury troubles, which kept him from competing consistently rather than a loss of form.
Christopher Eubanks: 34 → 109
After his breakout 2023 Season, Eubanks was expected to keep his fine form, but ended up majorly regressing, as he dropped from No. 34 to No. 109. Despite playing consistent tournaments throughout the year, Eubanks was unable to defend crucial points from 2023 at events like Miami, Mallorca, and Wimbledon, leading to a significant decline. He spent time playing Challenger events to rebuild confidence but struggled to progress far. While he dealt with minor injuries, including right foot complaints and withdrawals from Los Cabos and Tiburon Challenger, the main issue was his overall drop in level, which hindered his ability to compete.
Laslo Djere: 33 → 116
Laslo Đere's season has been a significant setback, with the Serbian dropping 83 places from No. 33 to No. 116. Persistent injuries plagued his year, starting with a Davis Cup retirement in February due to a leg issue. Although he returned to action in Buenos Aires, he was forced to withdraw from major tournaments like Indian Wells and Acapulco. Đere also battled a right arm injury, which led to elbow surgery in April. After more than six weeks off, he made a brief comeback at the French Open, but struggled to find his rhythm, ultimately derailing his season.
JJ Wolf: 53 → 258
J.J. Wolf's season was a harsh disappointment, as he plummeted from No. 53 to No. 258 in the rankings, which can (and should) be viewed as the largest underachievement on this list. The American's year began with a withdrawal from the Australian Open in January due to a hip issue, keeping him off court for February. Upon his return in Miami, Wolf appeared sluggish and struggled to regain his form. The remainder of the season was marked by inconsistency, with Wolf dropping to Challenger events and still failing to find his rhythm. Despite receiving wildcards into ATP tournaments, he was often outplayed, leading to a dramatic decline in his ranking.
As we conclude our countdown of the Top 8 Underachievers of the ATP 2024 season, it’s evident that this year has been a challenging one for many players who failed to meet expectations. Despite their immense talent, injuries and inconsistent form hindered their performances. While the setbacks have been disappointing, these players still have the ability to rebound and return to their best. The 2024 season has shown that success on the ATP Tour is never guaranteed, but it also offers opportunities for growth and redemption. As we look ahead, we’ll be watching closely to see how these players respond and if they can turn their fortunes around in the coming seasons.
