Projected Year-End WTA Rankings for 2023

The bow has been tied and positioned atop the WTA season, and it’s time to look forward. I’ve analyzed some stats and checked my instincts to carry you my finest guess for the 2023 WTA Prime 10. I believe the period of quite a few one-and-done Grand Slam champions is beginning to shut, which might be an excellent factor for the WTA. It’s vital for stars to emerge in order that compelling rivalries could be constructed. There’s no higher manner for a participant to change into a family title than to amass a number of Grand Slams.

Relating to the WTA Prime 10 for 2023, very broadly, my philosophy is that this: I understand that tendencies in tennis often start on the boys’s tour. Why is that? It’s a multifaceted and separate dialogue we received’t do right here proper now. Purely from my very own observations, it appears that evidently it takes a 12 months or two earlier than new tendencies begin to seep into the ladies’s recreation.

What I’m seeing within the males’s recreation is a slight uptick in web play. Gamers who’re succesful and competent on the web, reminiscent of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune and Rafael Nadal– usually had good seasons. Volley competency is solely yet another device in a participant’s field. Former world primary Ashleigh Barty proved that, and I consider the pattern towards a extra diverse recreation will proceed to tick up on each excursions.

With that in thoughts, right here is my WTA Prime 10 projection for 2023.

1. Iga Swiatek. Let’s not overthink this. Iga, Iga, Iga till confirmed in any other case. The present world primary and international celebrity has a Grand Slam tally of three. Search for her so as to add to that (extra under) in 2023. Together with her chic forehand and steady disposition, Swiatek is poised to repeat as boss. With 66% of first serve factors one, she will nonetheless enhance, which is frightening for everybody else. Excessive ceiling for Swiatek.

2. Caroline Garcia. Get able to have the now-cringey Andy Murray quote about Garcia being a future primary pulled out a couple of extra instances. At 29 years previous, she’s lastly hitting her stride, and you realize what? That’s regular. Late bloomers could be discovered throughout each sport on the planet. Due to her historical past of doubles, Garcia has strong web abilities, and this 12 months, she determined to begin ripping the ball. Okay then! Her solidified serve has been pivotal to her ascent. Garcia lead the tour with 394 aces, besting Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and different gamers who usually come to thoughts as nice servers. CarGar watch, activated.

3. Barbora Krejikova. Time for a Cheeky-ssance for one among my favourite gamers when it comes to reliability. Krejikova was injured for many of 2022, however she needs to be again to full steam in time for the 2023 Australian Open. She’s clearly an excellent doubles participant, as a former world primary, however her strokes are extraordinarily clear in singles. It is a uncommon case the place I might inform her to restrict her doubles schedule in 2023. She has the sport for singles.

4. Aryna Sabalenka. What an up-and-down 12 months for the Belarussian. The factor I like about Sabalenka is that she’s legitimately attention-grabbing, each as a participant and a persona. The WTA wants that. The serve is gold-plated when the yips are at bay. However at simply 37% of return video games received this 12 months, let’s work on placing extra returns in play. Sabalenka has to know she’s received the sport to rally with any participant on tour. Aryna may leap the Grand Slam hurdle this 12 months. She’s received a beat on Swiatek with a key win within the WTA Finals.

5. Ons Jabeur. Ons got here so near capturing a Grand Slam this 12 months with appearances in two finals. She broke obstacles by turning into the highest-ranked Arab and African girl in WTA historical past. I sense a slight letdown coming this 12 months after her breakout 2022. However Jabeur is an all-court participant, which holds up nicely over time. Among the finest pure athletes on tour when it comes to fingers and hops, I’d wish to see Jabeur run extra patterns and freewheel much less. However she’s assured to make it present.

6. Daria Kasatkina. This resurgent Russian appears to be in an important place mentally proper now, which is why I like her for 2023. As all of us hope and pray for an finish to the Russian assault on Ukraine, such an occasion would unencumber Kasatkina much more. Her tennis is feisty and fearless, beginning with an excellent return recreation. With near 60% 2nd serve return factors received, we’re venturing into Rafa territory in that metric. Maintain attacking these weak 2nd serves, Daria.

7. Coco Gauff. It looks like Coco has been round endlessly, however she’s solely 18 years previous. Her trajectory has been regular and incremental. She broke via the WTA Prime 5 this 12 months and earned spots on the WTA Finals in each singles and doubles. Like Krejikova, I might ease up my doubles schedule in 2023 to forestall burnout. Girls so typically could be folks pleasers (raises hand), and these gamers must fastidiously handle their calendars. The earlier they understand this “simply say no” boss strategy is what Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova did, the faster they may vie for primary.

8. Maria Sakkari. If she’s not already working with a psychological coach like Swiatek is, she may take into account it. The Greek star will look to quiet the thoughts on key factors in 2023. She’s received the forehand and the aggressive recreation. A difficulty is her serve. She’s received the makings of one thing strong, however she’s solely placing 58% of first serves in. That received’t do. Get a set recreation plan on each first and second serve for any given rating and state of affairs, and she or he’ll be on monitor to complete Prime 10 once more.

9. Belinda Bencic. Is there a peskier out on tour? I search for the Swiss to proceed her regular comeback. With pristine strokes and a shot tolerance that received’t stop, I see Bencic re-entering the Prime 10. She’s nonetheless solely 25 years previous, however she’s received loads of expertise. To do listing: Enhance that second serve, and get the second serve factors received again up over 50%. Don’t allow them to assault that.

10. Linda Fruhvirtova. I needed to choose a meteor outlier. I like this 17-year-old from the Czech Republic with a strong serve, a weaponized forehand, and good velocity. If she will keep her steadiness and proceed to develop a diverse recreation fashion, I like her probabilities to construct upon her first WTA title in Chennai.

Outdoors of this 2023 WTA projected Prime 10, I supply a couple of different predictions. Simply to maintain it enjoyable. Kaia Kanepi received’t retire. Simona Halep’s ban will probably be upheld as a result of the check outcomes are unmovable. Swiatek will win a minimal of two Slams. Somebody fully off the radar– a participant we’re not even speaking about– will emerge. And a number of other tennis pundits will say they knew she would all alongside. And they’re comfortable for her. Psychological well being will nonetheless be a scorching matter, and I consider Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu will proceed to work via a few of this, which is why I haven’t projected both of them within the WTA Prime 10 for 2023.

Convey on the offseason prognosticating! Let me hear from you on Tennis Twitter with yours.