An eventful year in tennis will be remembered for red tape and change. Legendary figures took a final bow – while the youngsters made a successful power-grab.
Nadal’s Extraordinary Comeback
Rafael Nadal is famed for his powers of recovery, but even he was taken aback by his resurgence at the Australian Open. The Spaniard spent the closing months of 2021 fearing for his career due to a longstanding foot problem, the outlook appeared bleak, yet he remained the last man standing in Melbourne.
A weary Nadal teetered on the brink on more than one occasion during a pulsating final. He looked destined to submit to the assured Daniil Medvedev, however he rallied from two sets down and bludgeoned his beleaguered opponent into submission.
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It was an unprecedented 21st major title for Nadal, and his annual pilgrimage to Paris in the springtime ended with a 14th Roland Garros triumph.
Swiatek Dominates
In recent years, the WTA appeared stuck in a long-lasting transitional phase. The absence of Serena Williams left a vacancy at the top of the sport, and numerous players tried and failed to usher in a new era.
Attempting to predict contenders for major prizes proved difficult; chaos ensued at Grand Slams. Garbine Muguruza, Naomi Osaka and Ashleigh Barty all enjoyed productive spells, but consistency, for various reasons, evaded all three.
Iga Świątek has filled the steadiness void. The engaging 21-year-old collected eight titles this year - including Roland Garros and the US Open - to establish an enormous points advantage at the top of the rankings. The athletic Pole has been dismantling opponents, and she looked destined to prevail in New York even before the first coin toss.
Świątek’s Big Apple success was her first hard court major - an ominous sign for the rest of the field.
Iga Swiatek was on 🔥 throughout 2022. Here are her top 5 shots of the season 👏
@iga_swiatek
Alcaraz Arrives
With the ‘big three’ era splintering after almost two decades of domination, the door was ajar for a disrupter to emerge. Carlos Alcaraz, the effervescent youngster, galloped through the rankings to stake his claim as the next heir to the throne - and the future became the present in New York.
The gifted Spaniard enthralled the Big Apple with his variety and spellbinding speed, and his five-hour quarter-final victory over a fellow young gun, Jannik Sinner, offered a tantalising glimpse of what is to come.
Alcaraz became the first teenager to finish world No.1 in 50 editions of the year-end rankings. He is the brightest prospect to emerge since Juan Martin Del Potro, and his Grand Slam count has only just begun.
Jabeur Makes History
Tennis is a global game - and history was unlocked during the summer. Ons Jabeur, from Tunisia, became the first Arab player to reach a Grand Slam final - and the first African woman to make the championship match at Wimbledon.
Her stylish performances enthralled a continent, and defeat in the final to Elena Rybakina did not diminish her achievement. She handled a painful loss with typically good grace and backed up her SW19 run at the US Open.
Swiatek edged the world No.2 in the final at Flushing Meadows, but the 28-year-old remains on the rise.
A Legend Departs
Despite a retirement announcement pending for some time, confirmation of Roger Federer's departure still felt abrupt and jarring for his legions of supporters. He had succumbed to injury, and the sport’s most graceful performer waved his Wilson wand for the final time at the Laver Cup in September.
1526 matches over 24 golden years yielded 20 Grand Slam titles - 103 trophies overall - giving him 310 weeks as the world's best player. His swashbuckling playing style earned him adoration and admiration, and he enriched and enhanced the sport he cherished like few before him.
Another legendary performer, Serena Williams, stated her intention to walk away from the sport at the US Open. Her recent comments suggest a comeback could be on the cards, and a definite answer will become apparent in 2023.
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