Photographer Jimmie48 is among early birds at the 2022 Australian Open, so we already have plenty of photos of WTA players preparing for the Grand Slam which starts on January 17. Let’s see who was spotted practicing on Saturday.
Two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist Elina Svitolina always has the coolest practice t-shirts. On Saturday, the Ukrainian sported a white tee featuring a koala that wears a Nike headband and hangs onto a tennis racquet.
Amanda Anisimova of the United States started the year by winning a WTA 250 warm-up event in Melbourne, her first title since 2019. The WTA world No.61 is now on a coaching trial with Darren Cahill, the former long-term coach of Simona Halep. We could see them working together on Saturday, although in a recent interview Anisimova questioned whether the coach would have enough time to practice with her due to his TV commentary obligations.
Australia’s Samantha Stosur is preparing for her last tournament as a singles player. The 2011 US Open singles champion could play her final singles match on Tuesday against American wildcard Robin Anderson.
Belinda Bencic, who has recently recovered from COVID-19, played the quarterfinals of the Sydney Tennis Classic this week, where she lost to eventual champion Paula Badosa, and is now awaiting a meeting with Kristina Mladenovic in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday.
Emma Raducanu is making a main-draw debut at the Australian Open and is seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time.
The Brit is one of seven teenagers in the women’s singles draw at the 2022 Australian Open. Can Raducanu repeat her US Open success in Melbourne?
Another teenager and Australian Open main-draw debutante is Denmark’s Clara Tauson. Our guest blogger Yaseen Hijazi recently explained that “Clara Tauson has the whole package to be a Grand Slam winner”. What we can notice is her new apparel sponsor — Adidas believes in her. Last year she was sponsored by Yonex.
Tauson’s practice partner on Saturday was Camila Osorio of Colombia. The 20-year-old is also making her main-draw debut in Melbourne, against none other than defending champion Naomi Osaka.
The 2019 Australian Open runner-up Petra Kvitova is smiling, as always.
Maria Sakkari has risen 15 ranking spots since last year’s Australian Open.
Last but not least, world No.1 Ashleigh Barty was also spotted practicing for the Australian Open. We can see her wearing the red Axilus 2 Energized tennis shoes from Fila’s Foul Line collection.
