Barty Named WTA Player of the Year, Raducanu Wins Newcomer Award

Ashleigh Barty. (Reuters)
Ashleigh Barty. (Reuters)
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Barty Named WTA Player of the Year, Raducanu Wins Newcomer Award

Ashleigh Barty. (Reuters)
Ashleigh Barty. (Reuters)

World number one Ash Barty was named WTA Player of the Year for the second time and US Open champion Emma Raducanu took the Newcomer of the Year title, the governing body of the women's game said on Tuesday.

Australian Barty, who won the title in 2019, won a tour-leading five titles this year including the second Grand Slam trophy of her career at Wimbledon where she beat Czech Karolina Pliskova in the final.

She also defended her title at Miami and triumphed in Melbourne, Stuttgart and Cincinnati to secure her third year-end number one ranking in a row.

Raducanu, 19, entered the US Open as a qualifier ranked 150th in the world and ended it as Britain's first female Grand Slam champion for 44 years.

Czech Barbora Krejcikova took the WTA prize for the Most Improved Player of the Year following a stellar season in which she won the French Open singles crown.

She also excelled in doubles with playing partner Katerina Siniakova, with the pair earning the Doubles Team of the Year award which they also won in 2018.

Carla Suarez Navarro was named the Comeback Player of the Year award.

The 33-year-old announced in September, 2020 that she was being treated for early stage Hodgkin lymphoma and underwent months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy before returning at the French Open in June.



PSG Sign Ukrainian Defender Zabarnyi from Bournemouth on Five-Year Deal 

Illia Zabarnyi #27 of AFC Bournemouth controls the ball against Arsenal FC during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Illia Zabarnyi #27 of AFC Bournemouth controls the ball against Arsenal FC during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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PSG Sign Ukrainian Defender Zabarnyi from Bournemouth on Five-Year Deal 

Illia Zabarnyi #27 of AFC Bournemouth controls the ball against Arsenal FC during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Illia Zabarnyi #27 of AFC Bournemouth controls the ball against Arsenal FC during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Paris St Germain have signed center back Illia Zabarnyi from Premier League club Bournemouth on a five-year contract, the European champions said on Tuesday, with the 22-year-old becoming the French club's first Ukrainian player in history.

Financial details were not disclosed but media reports said the transfer fee was worth around 63 million euros ($73 million).

The Ukraine international was a key part of Bournemouth's defensive line-up last season, making 36 appearances as the club achieved positive goal difference in a Premier League campaign for the first time, finishing ninth.

Zabarnyi is the latest Bournemouth defender to depart this summer after Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid and Milos Kerkez signed for Liverpool.

"I'm very happy to join Paris Saint-Germain, the best club in the world, with the best project. I am here to give everything I have on the pitch and I'm looking forward to making my debut and meeting the fans," Zabarnyi said in a statement.

Zabarnyi made his senior debut at his hometown club Dyanmo Kyiv before joining Bournemouth in January 2023 on a five-and-a-half year contract.

The English club awarded Zabarnyi, known for his aggressive defending and dominance in aerial duels, with a contract extension until 2029 after an impressive 2023-24 campaign.

"We're delighted to continue the strengthening of our squad with the signature of Illia Zabarnyi. Illia is a talented international player and a great professional. He will make a major contribution to everything that we are building long-term at Paris Saint-Germain," PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi said.

Ligue 1 and the Champions League winners PSG face Tottenham Hotspur for the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.