The Top 3 Tennis Stories Of 2022
Over the past 12 months, the world of professional tennis has offered us thrilling moments, inspiring stories and interesting perspectives. With so many amazing tales to tell, here are our top 3 favourites that presented a unique glimpse into the year we were all part of.
Novak Djokovic’s Deportation From Australia Due To Vaccination Status In Early 2022
© Getty Images.
Earlier this year, when the season kicked off, many were stumped by the news of Novak Djokovic being detained at the airport, cancellation of his visa and subsequently getting deported from Australia.
He first arrived in Australia on 5th Jan when he believed that he had all the correct documentation and visa to enter the country for the events. However, the Australian government said that he had failed to comply with the rules in which one had to be either vaccinated or have valid medical exemption and show evidence of it.
After days of being held at the detention hotel, the government ultimately decided to uphold the Immigration Minister’s decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa, citing his presence in Australia “may pose a health risk to the Australian community” because it “may foster anti-vaccination sentiment”.
This whole saga caused Djokovic to miss out on the Australian Open and be banned from entering Australia for the next 3 years.
However, just last month the Australian Immigration Minister Andrew Giles chose to overturn the decision to ban Djokovic for 3 years and allowed Djokovic to get the visa to enter Australia again for the 2023 season.
Novak Djokovic is now back in Australia, preparing for the Adelaide International before the Australian Open.
Roger Federer’s Retirement
Antoine Couvercelle/Panoramic/Reuters.
Roger Federer is one of the most decorated tennis players in the last 2 decades. Crowned as one of the Greatest of All Times (GOAT), he has a whopping 20 singles Grand Slam Titles under his belt.
On 15 September, he dropped a bombshell announcement on his social media platforms announcing his retirement after the 5th installment of the Laver Cup in London. We all knew this was coming but just was not expecting it to be so soon!
At the Laver Cup in London this year, Federer played alongside fellow GOATs, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Their practice was one of the final times we got to see these 4 guys together on a court during an ATP tour event.
Roger Federer finished off his final match alongside long-time friend and rival, Rafael Nadal, against Team World’s Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock in a doubles match. Ultimately, Federer and Nadal were unable to clinch the doubles win for their team.
Although Federer did not win his final match, it was a great conclusion to his fairytale 24-year long tennis career! It was truly emotional for all of us as he did his final speech on tour. Even Rafael Nadal could not hold back his tears as Roger Federer bidded farewell to the sport of tennis!
Carlos Alcaraz Becomes The Youngest Year-End No. 1 And Grand Slam Winner
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil / ATP Tour.
2022 was a splendid year for the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. At just 19 years old he accomplished the goals of many tennis players. He clinched his first ever Grand Slam title at the US Open this year and became the youngest to ever do so. With that, he also became the youngest year-end no. 1, as Rafael Nadal was not able to catch up as he lost 2 of the 3 matches at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Carlos Alcaraz started the year ranked 32 and slowly made his way to the top. In 2022, he claimed 5 of his 6 tour level titles which included his maiden masters 1000 title in Madrid where he defeated 3 of the best players - Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev - en-route the title.
Though he had to retire from the quarterfinals match against fellow teen Holger Rune at the Paris masters and was forced to sit out of the Nitto ATP Finals due to an abdominal injury, he was still able to remain on top of the Pepperstone rankings with the points he had stacked from the rest of the events.
He is definitely a player to look out for in the years to come!