While most people are indulging in food and drinks on New Year’s Eve and then spending January 1 relaxing at home, WTA players are pushing themselves and using the last moments of the off-season to raise their level and get ready to make 2022 the best year of their careers.
Our photographer Jimmie48 is also already as busy as ever, shooting the preparation for the January 3-9 Adelaide International. Let’s see who was spotted on tennis courts on Friday and Saturday in Australia.
Daria Gavrilova enters 2022 as Daria Saville.
Daria’s practice partner on Friday was Britain’s Heather Watson.
Paula Badosa prepares for 2022 on the wings of her breakthrough 2021 season that took her to a career-high ranking of No.8.
Last year’s Adelaide champion Iga Swiatek practiced with last year’s US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez on Friday.
On Saturday, Swiatek was on the court with world No.1 Ashleigh Barty.
Ahead of her Saturday afternoon practice, Barty played Australian football with her team.
Elina Svitolina was happy to work on New Year’s Eve, with her new coach Andis Juska.
Ajla Tomljanovic enters the new year promoting her new apparel sponsor, Original Penguin.
The Australian shared the court with Maria Sakkari of Greece.
World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka was especially happy to pose for photographer Jimmie48.
Sofia Kenin is back working with her father.
Victoria Azarenka had her first practice of 2022 on January 1 in Adelaide.
Coco Gauff has also made it to Australia to kick off her 2022 season. The American was spotted practicing with Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
The 2022 WTA calendar opens with the Adelaide International 1, as well as two more tournaments going on at the same time, Melbourne Summer Set 1 and Melbourne Summer Set 2. Afterwards, we’re having the Adelaide International 2 and the Sydney Tennis Classic.
I am all excited for 2022. Can’t wait to get started.
So I see that Coco Gauff is the face of the new Head Boom Racket is it?
Ian, you’re right, she’s using that racket. I haven’t seen any official promotions, though, but I guess we can say that she’s the face of the racket.
I wonder if Leylah is in between sponsors. Between media day and practice I’m not seeing a logo.
Andy, you are right. She used to wear Asics, but now her clothes have no logo. Since she’s a US Open runner-up, I expect her to reveal a good new deal in no time.