- The 2021 season was revolutionary in tennis as it introduced new faces to the game
- Most of these players played their first major tournament in 2021
- Some won, while others came pretty close to winning
The 2021 season was revolutionary in tennis; it introduced new faces to the game, and 2022 will be exciting as we keep track of these players.
It was such a great season as the world picked up the pieces after the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc.
The pandemic did not spare tennis players either. Novak Djokovic and 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal beat the deadly virus in 2021.
However, even as all this happened, the ‘newcomers’ on the court shocked the world which is why in 2022 all eyes are on them.
Here they are.
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ
Leylah Fernandes of Canada. Photo/WTA
The Canadian tennis star started the 2021season on a high note by winning Monterrey Open. Somehow, she knew 2021 would be the year to star at the US Open for the first time.
Surprisingly, the 18-year-old teen edged out big shots in the game – including beating Naomi Osaka to book a slot in the finals. She faced off with British teen, Emma Raducanu who won her first Grand Slam.
Hitherto, Fernandez finds it hard to accept that she lost the match to Raducanu who was also starring at the US Open for the first time.
“I still can’t accept that (US Open) defeat, but I learned what I can teach the world and that I can play against the greats,” Tennis365 reports.
The Canadian is now ready to give her all in the next season nevertheless.
She adds that she has had to improve her whole game since the US Open finals at Flushing Meadows.
But, 2022 is promising enough as she defended her Monterrey Open title gracefully. More action awaits in the three major Grand Slams of the year.
EMMA RADUCANU
Emma Raducanu. Photo/Sky Sports
The 19-year-old tennis player broke all barriers when she became the first-ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam.
Just like Fernandez – who she thrashed in the US Open finals –, Raducanu had never played in a major Grand Slam before.
But, she captured the hearts of tennis fans in a big way since then. She was awarded the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Award in 2021.
Although she hasn’t won another major tournament since then, she continues to elicit a lot of interest from tennis fans.
CAMERON NORRIE
Cameron Norrie. Photo/TennisSection
The British No.1 had an interesting 2021 season. He rose to fame by becoming the first British tennis player to win at the Indian Wells.
The 26-year-old describes this as the biggest match of his career. Although it is not a major tournament, it is the biggest outside the four major Grand Slams.
Winning the Indian Wells 2021 earned him an £880,000 cash prize that came with more fame.
But, this is just a drop in the ocean about the British No.1. His tennis life story is nothing short of an epic puzzle.
All eyes are on him in 2022 as he seeks to defend his title at Indian Wells.
MARIA SAKKARI
Sakkari is built a name for herself on the women’s tour in 2021.
She became the first Greek woman to ever reach a Grand Slam semi-final at Roland Garros in 2021.
Three months later, she made it to the US Open’s last four.
At the WTA Finals in Guadalajara, the 26-year-old advanced to the semi-finals for the second time in her career after breaking into the top 10.
There is little doubt that Sakkari will reach the final of a major tournament in 2022 with her powerful serve.
JENSON BROOKSBY
In the course of a year that saw him make it all the way to the fourth round of the US Open, Brooksby went from outside the top 300 at the start of 2021 to a career-high No. 56 by November 2021.
After winning the ATP Newcomer of the Year award, he could break into the top 10 in 2022.
Tennis fans love his unconventional style of play, and he was even praised by Andy Murray earlier this year.
Brooksby is exactly the type of player people enjoy watching on television, Andy Murray attests to this.
The former British No.1 says he enjoys watching Brooksby play because of his great defence.
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