Upon the conclusion of a very eventful 2022 tennis season, here are the rankings: Men – 1. Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) 2. Rafael Nadal (Spain) 3. Casper Ruud (Norway) 4. Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) 5. Novak Djokovic (Serbia). Women – 1. Iga Swiatek (Poland) 2. Ons Jabeur (Tunisia) 3. Jessica Pegula (USA) 4. Caroline Garcia (France) 5. Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus).
The next Grand Slam is the Australian Open in Melbourne in January next year. Eighteen-year-old Carlos Alcaraz and 21-year-old Iga Swiatek will be hoping to keep momentum up after both had an outstanding 2022. Novak Djokovic will be aiming to win an astonishing 10th Australian Open title. Aussie Nick Kyrgios will be hoping to go one better than his loss to Djokovic at last year’s US Open. Compatriots Alex de Minaur and Alja Tomljanovic will also be striving to achieve at a high level.
Ponting to mediate through coach position
Ricky Ponting’s first Test in Perth since Justin Langer’s exit as Australian coach looms as a vital ingredient to ease any lingering tensions between past and present cricketers, as broadcasters, players and staff mix together during the series. From his television commentary post, Ponting saw the writing on the wall for Justin Langer’s tenure in the job mentoring the men’s team well before his close friend and former teammate did.
Summer fitness
In our area we have a wide variety of fitness options. Consider these when out and about: Redfern Park (for walking, jogging or Tai Chi), Moore Park Tennis Centre on Anzac Parade (mature age social round robins Fridays 9.30 – 12.00), Hiscoes Gym on Crown Street Surry Hills (for a workout or a game of squash), Prince Alfred Park Public Swimming Pool on Chalmers Street Surry Hills and Sydney Uni Sports and Fitness at the UTS on Broadway.
