2024 was a year of big news and plenty of success for England on the WTT circuit. In the first in a series reviewing the past 12 months, we look back at the players and stories making the headlines.

Pictured above from left: Dimitar Dimitrov, Abraham Sellado, Max Radiven and Pablo Ramirez-Rioja.

The year started well for Dimitar Dimitrov who, after a couple of near misses in 2023, won his first WTT title in the Under-11 Boys’ Singles at the WTT Youth Contender in Antalya, Turkey.

One swiftly became two as Dimitrov added the gold medal in Vila Real, Portugal, the following month.

February was also the month all eyes turned to Manchester as the city hosted England’s first ever WTT event – a Feeder competition at the National Cycling Centre.

With hundreds of fans creating a special atmosphere on all four days, it was a chance for England’s finest to compete against star names from around the world.

Two rising talents grasped their opportunity – Connor Green beating the highest-ranked player in the qualifying rounds and Sophie Earley stunningly knocking out the fourth seed. They were performances which earned both players big moves up the world rankings after the tournament.

There was success for GB players in the doubles competitions too, with Tin-Tin Ho & Wales’ Anna Hursey reaching the Women’s Doubles final and David McBeath & Tom Jarvis getting to the final of the Men’s Doubles – though neither pair was able to take the title.

In the singles events, Lily Zhang of the USA and South Korea’s Cho Daeseong etched their names in history as they won the respective women’s and men’s titles.

There was so much action, we had to split our Rewind coverage on YouTube into two parts! Click here to find out how to watch Rewind or enjoy full matches on TTE.TV.

There was more history made in March as Will Bayley and Bly Twomey competed in the WTT’s inaugural Para Showcase competition held as part of the Singapore Smash – Bayley was beaten finalist and Twomey reached the semi-finals.

There was also a superb silver medal in the under-13s for Pablo Ramirez-Rioja at the WTT Youth Contender Panagyurishte in Bulgaria.

Sinan Surensoy was the next English youngster to add his name to the roster of WTT medal winners as he picked up under-13 silver at the WTT Youth Contender Berlin in May.

Hot on his heels, Ramirez-Rioja won another under-13 silver at WTT Youth Contender Havirov in Czechia in June.

The same month, our Ping Hub legacy project from the WTT Feeder Manchester was proving so successful in engaging the local population that it was extended.

After a summer dominated by Paris 2024 there was more success for Dimitar Dimitrov as the new season got under way.

Having won the under-11 title at WTT Youth Contender Podgorica in Montenegro in September, he backed that up by striking gold again at the very next event in Sarajevo.

Not to be outdone, Max Radiven won his first WTT title at the Youth Contender in Batumi, Georgia, beating the top two seeds on his way to victory in the Under-15 Boys’ Singles. Abraham Sellado was also on the podium, having been defeated in the semi-finals.

There was more good news off the table as it was announced the WTT Feeder Series would be returning to Manchester in 2025.

Radiven added to his trophy collection at the WTT Youth Contender Prishtina in Kosovo in October, where he won both the Under-15 Boys’ Singles and the Mixed Doubles, the latter alongside Khulan Khurelotgon of Mongolia.

In November, Dimitrov took his total of under-11 titles for the calendar year to no fewer than six, first taking gold at the WTT Youth Contender Senec in Slovakia and then topping the podium at WTT Youth Contender Szombathely in Hungary.

There was also an accolade for the Ping Hub in Manchester. Set up to deliver a lasting social impact legacy from the inaugural WTT Feeder, the hub won the Our Manchester Award – given to an organisation or individual that has strengthened communities in Manchester – at the Manchester Sport Awards 2024.

And what a headline to crown a stellar year as it was announced that London was confirmed as a host venue on the WTT Star Contender circuit for 2025, when the iconic Copper Box venue will be rocking again as some of the world’s best players compete next October.

Keep an eye on our website over the days ahead as we continue to review 2024 across the sport.