2022 is fast approaching and another WTA season is on the horizon. What should we expect to see from this sport in the coming year?<\/p>\n
2021 had ups and downs; with the Covid restrictions, moving of tournaments and tweaks to the ranking system.\u00a0This was reflected in unpredictable results. Let\u2019s take a look at who might be the winners in 2022.<\/p>\n
Barty is the clear #1<\/a> for the last two interrupted seasons and proved her ranking by taking the Wimbledon title in July.<\/p>\n Barty won five titles in 2021, including the Miami Open and Cincinnati during the summer, and played in six finals. In the major championships, Barty reached the quarterfinal of the Australian Open and retired in the second round of the French Open. A first round loss at the Olympics in Tokyo then Barty blew a winning position in the fourth round of the US Open. Losing to Shelby Rogers in three sets.<\/p>\n Barty went on to miss the rearranged WTA Championships in Mexico in November.\u00a0 Mainly to avoid the extended travel; Covid uncertainty and prepare for the Australian Open.<\/p>\n Barty received a lot of praise throughout 2021 for playing a game which is a little different from the other players in the top 10. Barty plays with a two hand backhand but uses the slice backhand a lot, giving variety to her game which worked beautifully on grass this year. At 1m 66 (5ft 5 inches) she is relatively short by WTA standards but hit 325 aces throughout the year which is a lot. Barty also won 80% of her service games and 40% of her return games which is extremely impressive. I will like to see Barty improve her two hand backhand stroke further.<\/p>\n In 2022 Barty\u2019s task is to win a hardcourt Slam–an Australian Open title on home soil would do nicely. This will be difficult because an Australian has not won the event since 1978.<\/p>\n Sabalenka cemented her place in the top 5 of the WTA rankings in 2021 and reached a career high of number 2 in August.<\/p>\nAryna Sabalenka<\/strong><\/h4>\n