Carlos Alcaraz, 19 years old, and Rafael Nadal 36, at number one and two in the ATP world ranking for the 2022 season. Historic in Spanish tennis, a feat that can only be achieved by the Americans until Monday, October 3. A reflection of the extraordinary longevity of the manacorí, proof of the wonder -amazing Murcian hatching.
Rafa Nadal has again put together a brilliant result in the bitterness of injuries. A constant in his career, which has not prevented him from falling into the world top-10 since April 25, 2005. On the same day, seventeen years later, Carlos Alcaraz entered the elite, also after winning the Number of Godó Trophy.
The Spaniard was unable to play it, due to a rib injury that ended his best start to the campaign ever: 20 straight victories, which included an epic comeback against the Russian. Daniel Medvedev to win his second Australian Open, breaking the record for Grand Slam titles, breaking the balance at 20 with the Swiss Roger Federer. A chronic ailment in his left foot threatened to cripple him at Roland Garros, to sideline him from the slopes. With the help of anesthesia, he managed to raise his fourteenth Cup of the Musketeers, 22nd ‘big’.
Pulsed radiofrequency reduced the leg pain to tolerable levels, but an abdominal tear kept him out of the Wimbledon semifinals and certainly dashed his hopes of a second half of the campaign, suffering the same US Open disaster. He focused on a new facet, the premiere of paternity. The course ended with the announcement that Francis Roig He left the technical team.
2022 also ended strangely for Carlos Alcaraz. The course of his meteoric rise ended without the ATP Finals and Davis Cup due to an abdominal tear. This did not stop him from lifting the final number one trophy of the year, as he had not taken it out since he took it on September 12, becoming the youngest ever at the age of 19 years and 4 months. the student of Juan Carlos Ferrero He decorated his conquest of the US Open, a Grand Slam that completed the Masters 1000 victories in Miami and Madrid, the 500 in Rio and Barcelona.
Alcaraz dominates the standings, as before Carlos Moyà, his coach Ferrero and, of course, Nadal, who will be together on the ATP Tour with the man from El Palmar. Everyone is brilliant.
The year 2022 has given more. In summary:
1
Federer’s departure, Serena did not know
The simultaneous tears of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal at the Laver Cup, in London, drew one of the unforgettable images of 2022. It was the farewell of a myth of racket, of world sport. The Swiss, at the age of 40, has pulled off a career that has become an icon. A right knee injury led to the withdrawal of the Basel player, who has 20 Grand Slam titles. He said goodbye surrounded by other members of the ‘Big 4’, especially the rival of the great classic Nadal. And Serena Williams and her 23 ‘big’? The word retired never came out of his mouth, although it gave the impression that the US Open was the end point.
2
Novak Djokovic, revenge after deportation
Novak Djokovic, nine-time Australian Open champion, was first detained and later deported for not being vaccinated against covid. An incident that also prevented him from entering the United States, to play in the US Open. He got his revenge by winning Wimbledon and finishing as the ‘master’ of the ATP Finals. In 2023 he wants more, especially to regain his old domains: the Australian Open and the world number one.
3
Iga Swiatek replaces Ash Barty
Polish Iga Swiatek, 21 years old, is the undisputed queen of the WTA Tour. He won eleven titles this season. Roland Garros and the US Open, but also Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart, Rome and San Diego. His best streak was 37 consecutive games won. She replaces Australian Ashleigh Barty, who announced her retirement from world number one after winning the Australian Open. In just 25 years.
4
Badosa went down, Muguruza fell over a cliff
Garbiñe Muguruza closed 2021 by winning the WTA Finals in Guadalajara (Mexico), as the first Spanish champion in the individual ‘teachers’ tournament. Then he experienced an unexpected nightmare. Letting the few games he controlled slip away, he entered a diabolical dynamic of defeats that led him to 55th place in the world ranking.
Paula Badosa, semifinalist of that event, did not repeat her presence in the eight best of the year. He fell out of the top-10, finishing thirteenth in a season that began with a win in Sydney. Like ‘Garbi’, an operation rose in 2023, although in his case from a higher position.
5
At the national team level, Canada and Switzerland
Felix Auger-Aliassime, supported by Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil, led Canada to its first ‘silver bowl’. In the Billie Jean King Cup Switzerland reigned supreme, with Belinda Bencic and Jil Teichmann giving their country its first title. Spain was in the Finals, but didn’t make it past the first round. Captain Sergi Bruguera finished his cycle, succeeded by David Ferrer. Carlos Alcaraz made his debut with the national team, he will miss the quarterfinals against Croatia in Seville. In the women’s category, Anabel Medina can count on Paula Badosa in Glasgow, but the team lived a nightmare against Great Britain as they reached the semifinals.
6
Zverev and Halep, among the worst of the year
The German Alexander Zverev gave the most chilling image of 2022. In the middle of a great match in the Roland Garros semifinals, he suffered a serious ankle injury. He writhed on the ground in pain, leaving the stadium in tears and leaning on crutches.
Romanian Simona Halep has tested positive for doping. Unexpected in the record of the former No. 1 winner of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, who will fight to prove the innocence he proclaimed.
Insults and threats to tennis players on social networks show a problem that has remained in tennis for many years, especially among the most vulnerable layers. The bets.
7
Naomi Osaka left Paris without playing
Japan’s Naomi Osaka has refused to attend a media event exposing the need to take care of her mental health. The regulation indicates that it is mandatory to go to the press, with punishment starting with a fine and ending with expulsion from the tournament. Amid all the controversy, the Japanese chose to withdraw from Roland Garros before facing the second round.
8
Youth, divine wealth
Carlos Alcaraz exploded like a meteorite, joining the party of Danish Holger Rune late in the season. Examples of the new generation who play without complexes, very aggressive tennis and ready to challenge anyone. As a reminder for the future, Martín Landaluce from Madrid won the junior US Open at the age of 16.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
