As we arrive at the beginning of the year, I will once again be giving my WTA predictions for the upcoming 2023 season. In this article, I shall be giving my predictions on what the rankings will look like in 12 months time. So without further ado here are my predictions…
2023 WTA Predictions
10. Jessica Pegula [USA, 2022 Ranking: 3]
The American overachieved in 2022 and has now established herself in her own right, as opposed to being known as the daughter of a billionaire. However, despite all her consistency in 2022, which included three Grand Slam quarterfinals (which unfortunately for her were all against the top seed and eventual champion), she only won one title. After winning the WTA1000 event in Guadalajara, she then lost all of her three matches at the WTA Finals. A string of losses after a title win usually occur when a player has reached the pinnacle of their career, hence why I am predicting a slight fall down the rankings in 2023.
The American reached her first two finals on the WTA Tour in 2022, winning them both. This was part of a 16-match win streak in a year that saw her almost halve her ranking and finish in the Top 45 for the first time in her career. Therefore, in 2023 I predict Pera to have a few surprise big runs and sneak into the Top 10 of the WTA rankings.
8. Barbora Krejcikova [Czech Republic, 2022 Ranking: 22]
Despite a injury-ridden 2022, the Czech player still managed to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final and pick up two titles – WTA250 in Tallinn and WTA500 in Ostrava. To win the title in Ostrava, Krejcikova beat the World No.1 Iga Swiatek in the final, a player who had previously won her last ten finals in straight sets. Krejcikova showed us what she is capable of when fully fit, so assuming she plays a full season in 2023, I predict her to return to the Top 10.
The Russian won two WTA titles in 2022 and finished the season in the Top 20, despite not advancing past the 2nd round at any of the Grand Slams. In addition, she only advanced past the 2nd round at one WTA1000 event (a semifinal in Madrid), which makes this career-best season all the more impressive. Her ranking appears to be on an upward trajectory and with a few big results (which should be made easier with her better ranking), I predict her to end 2023 in the Top 10 of the rankings.
6. Beatriz Haddad Maia [Brazil, 2022 Ranking: 15]
Haddad Maia has a breakthrough season in 2022, finishing the season in the Top 15, having never previously finished a season in the Top 60 of the WTA rankings. Her year included two WTA250 titles (in Nottingham and Birmingham) as part of a 12-match win streak, in addition to a WTA 1000 final appearance in Toronto. However, given she did not advance past the 2nd round at any Grand Slam or the 3rd round at any WTA1000 event (besides Toronto), there is a lot of opportunity to improve in 2023. Given that she is currently the only South American in the Top 75 of the WTA rankings, I believe she will be given a push by the WTA, which will enable her to break into the Top 10 in 2023.
Kasatkina enjoyed a career-best season in 2022, finishing in the Top 8 of the rankings and reaching a Grand Slam semifinal (at the French Open) for the first time in her career. She also won two titles–a WTA500 title in San Jose and a WTA250 title in Granby, as she appears to be playing more freely since coming out publicly about being gay. Outside of semifinals at the French Open and Rome, she didn’t advance past the 3rd round at any other Grand Slam or WTA1000 event, meaning the Russian still has a lot of chances to gain points in 2023. Therefore, I predict another Top 10 finish and a slight rise in the rankings in 2023.
4. Liudmila Samsonova [Russia, 2022 Ranking: 20]
Samsonova won three titles in 2022 and ended the year inside the world’s Top 20 for the first time in her career. Two of her titles came during a 13-match winning streak which shows that the Russian is capable of putting a strong run together. In addition, she is the player who came closest to defeating Iga Swiatek during the World No.1’s 37-match win streak (in the semifinals of Stuttgart). Outside of 4th Round appearances at the US Open and Indian Wells, Samsonova had disappointing results at the other Grand Slams and WTA1000 events meaning that there are many opportunities for her to gain points in 2023. Samsonova has improved her year-end ranking every year since 2016 and I expect next year to be no different–in fact, I believe she will break through into the world’s elite.
Despite missing the Australian Open and not getting any ranking points for reaching the Wimbledon final, Jabeur still finished the year as the World No.2 thanks to many big results including the WTA1000 title in Madrid and runners-up finishes at the US Open and the WTA1000 Rome event. With six tournament finals in 2022 (winning two of them), the Tunisian has demonstrated that she is now one of the most reliable players on tour. It may be difficult for her to be as consistent but I believe she will have enough big results to remain in the Top 3 of the WTA rankings at the end of 2023.
2. Caroline Garcia [France, 2022 Ranking: 4]
In June, Garcia was ranked No.75 in the world but after a stunning few months she managed to finish the year at No.4, equalling her career-high. This exceptional form over the last few months of 2022 saw her reach her first Grand Slam semifinal and win four titles, including the season-ending WTA Finals. A talented player who has been criticized for letting the mental side of her game hold her back, I believe this was a career-defining moment for the Frenchwoman. She clearly has the momentum on her side and with her talent, I predict she will halve her year-end ranking for 2023.
1. Iga Swiatek [Poland, 2022 Ranking: 1]
I think anyone making predictions would have Swiatek as No.1 in their year-end predictions. The Pole was utterly dominant in 2022, winning two Grand Slams (the French Open and US Open)–the first woman to win multiple Grand Slams in the same season since 2016. Swiatek won eight titles in 2022, many of which occurred during an astonishing 37-match win streak–the longest in 21st century WTA. Swiatek has more than double the ranking points of the current No.2 Ons Jabeur and will be a favorite to win at any tournament she enters. Therefore, I predict Swiatek to finish the year as No.1 in 2023.
Main Photo from Getty.
