Former French Open champion Yannick Noah wins Icon Award at Tennis Black List 2024

By Joe Harvey

Former world number three Yannick Noah was among those recognised at the Tennis Black List 2024 on Thursday night at the National Tennis Centre.

The 64-year-old Frenchman, who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005, received the Icon Award, which recognises individuals who have had a profound impact on tennis for an extended period of time.

The National Tennis Centre hosted the Tennis Black List 2024 on Thursday night, celebrating tennis role models from the black and mixed black heritage community.

Founded by Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey-Addo last year, the event on 27 June 2024 marked the second year of the Tennis Black List, supported by the LTA, Barclays and YC Sports.

Taking place in the run up to The Championships at Wimbledon in nearby Roehampton, the awards recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations from grassroots level up to the professional game in Britain and internationally.

The Tennis Black List follows the example set by the successful and respected Football Black List, created by Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds, and Rugby Black List which have demonstrated the power that celebrating black excellence can achieve in sport.

The event was an opportunity to inspire the next generation in the tennis community, with the commitment shown by the winners on and off the court.

Awards were handed out in eight categories across the evening at the ceremony, with several recipients present at the National Tennis Centre.

Tennis Black List organisers Batson and Sackey-Addo said: “This was truly a night of inspiration and celebration of the black and mixed-black heritage communities’ excellence in tennis on and off the court.

“It’s been an honour to recognise a group of remarkable people who are the perfect embodiment of this.

“One of the main aims for the Tennis Black List has always been to build a community to help provide more opportunities and access to our sport.”

Noah’s two decade career saw him win 23 singles titles and 16 doubles titles.

At his peak the Frenchman was world number three in singles and world number one in doubles.

In 1983, he won his only Grand Slam title on the clay courts of Roland Garros and becoming the first Frenchman in 37 years to triumph at the French Open.

Also representing the French Davis Cup team for 11 years, Noah helped his country win their first Davis Cup in 59 years in 1996 and in 1997 guided the team to their inaugural Federation Cup title.

To this day Noah continues to make an impact on French tennis as captain of the French World Ream Cup, the wheelchair equivalent of the Davis and Billie Jean King Cup.

LTA Chief Executive Scott Lloyd said: “It was hugely inspiring to celebrate once again all the amazing successes and achievements of the black and mixed-black heritage communities – the 2024 winners are real role models to everyone.

“Our vision at the LTA is for tennis to be welcoming, enjoyable and inspiring to everyone. We know that seeing and celebrating the success of role models, inspires and encourages more people to get involved – whether as a player, a coach or a volunteer.”

Serving excellence on and off the court: The Tennis Black List #TennisBlackList #2024TennisBlackList #TennisBlackList2024