Since the retirement of Ashleigh Barty, 2022 has seen the rise and fall of many players on the Hologic WTA Tour. Here are 5 players that are sure to make an impact in 2023!
5. Elena Rybakina
Not many could have predicted the immense success of Elena Rybakina, who won the 2022 Wimbledon Championships by defeating Simona Halep and Ons Jabeur in the semis and finals respectively. In truth, Rybakina began the 2022 season by reaching the finals of the Adelaide International tournament in Australia, where she went down to the former world No.1 and now-retired Ash Barty. The 23-year-old also managed to reach the quarterfinals of Indian Wells and Cincinnati this year and is finishing off the year strong with a runner-up at the Slovenia Open and a semifinal run at the Ostrava Open.
4. Coco Gauff
The first thing to note about Coco Gauff is that she is 18 years old and currently ranked number fifth in the doubles rankings (formerly number one). Once that sinks in, you’ll be even more impressed to know she cracked into the WTA Top 10 for singles in September this year. If all that wasn’t enough, the American teen sensation was just one match away from winning the 2022 French Open, halted only by the world number one Iga Swiatek to get her first Grand Slam runner-up. Coco Gauff ended the season of majors by reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open for the first time, capping off an incredible year of tennis and looking to be a formidable opponent in 2023.
3. Jessica Pegula
2022 has no doubt been a breakthrough year for Jessica Pegula in terms of WTA rankings and Grand Slam performances. Reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No.5 in September this year, the 28-year-old American is having a late bloom in her career that could see immense success for her in 2023. This year, Pegula reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the second consecutive year and also reached the quarters of the French and US Opens as well as the third round of Wimbledon, all first-time achievements! To top it off, Jessica Pegula won all four of her career doubles titles this year and propelled her doubles ranking to world No.6.
2. Ons Jabeur
World No.2 and Arab world No.1 Ons Jabeur has had the best year of her career in 2022 with Grand Slam finals appearances at both Wimbledon and the US Open. The Tunisian also won the Madrid and Berlin Opens this year and finished as runner-up at the Italian Open in Rome. Her drop shot and slice game have proven viable at the highest level as she continues to hold a solid head-to-head record against the WTA’s Top 10 players. Skyrocketing the rankings, winning career titles, and breaking personal records at Grand Slams this year could see the 28-year-old Jabeur’s career finally start to peak in 2023 (hopefully) with a maiden Grand Slam title!
1. Iga Swiatek
It goes without saying that Iga Swiatek will continue to be the player to beat in 2023. Her huge advantage in ranking points after one of the most successful years of tennis we’ve seen in the WTA for a long time means she is likely to remain at the number one spot for the foreseeable future. At just 21 years of age, the Pole Swiatek has won a total of three Grand Slams and 10 WTA titles, most of which were won this year along with her 37-match win-streak. With still so much left to give to the sport, Iga Swiatek is likely to extend her career records in 2023 as she continues to show early signs of a tennis legend.
Not taking much of a risk here are you……..