2023 Season Predictions
Here are my predictions for the 2023 season. I have been very so-so in the past when attempting to guess what will happen, but these are a lot of fun.
General
Wimbledon unbans Russian/Belarusian players
Okay, this is not a geopolitical prediction claiming that the Russia/Ukraine conflict will be over by July of 2023. I just find it extremely plausible that Wimbledon will allow top players like Medvedev, Rublev, Sabalenka, and Kasatkina to return to the tournament.
Adidas makes more terrible kits
It’s kind of a given at this point. The infamous shorts from the Australian Open are, in my opinion, a legitimate reason to switch sponsors.
Asics makes better kits
They’re learning. De Minaur’s kit in Paris and Swiatek’s kit in fort worth were both acceptable.
ATP
Djokovic wins the Australian Open and Wimbledon
This one seems pretty clear-cut. The ATP lacks strong grass-court players besides Djokovic, who also happens to be the best best-of-five player in general right now. It may be time to admit that the circuit is in a weak era. The only people who could stop him (Alcaraz, possibly Medvedev) would need to be given easy draws and would need Djokovic to have played multiple five-setters to have a chance.
Nadal wins Roland-Garros
He could probably do it with his foot amputated.
Alcaraz loses a Slam final and the world no. 1 position within four months
He has benefitted from a lot of circumstances in which he had no hand—Djokovic’s entire 2022 season and the whole Wimbledon debacle, for example—and while he’s definitely good, I don’t think he’ll be able to back the ranking for very long.
Rune enters the top 10
All he needs is a good run at the Australian Open for this to happen. Hurkacz will also probably exit the top 10.
Sinner makes two Slam semifinals
The US Open will probably be one. The other is anyone’s guess. I love Sinner and think he had a very underachieving performance in 2022. He just needs a season like Alcaraz had this year where everything “clicks.”
Rublev wins a Masters event
Rublev never struck me as a great best-of-five player; he’s too prone to nerves and his game is not one founded upon consistency. I still find it probable that he makes a great run at a 1000 event.
WTA
Swiatek holds the world #1 ranking for 6 months, minimum
She just has too many titles from 2022 to drop. She could hold it for the entire year.
Swiatek makes the Wimbledon quarterfinals, minimum
Grass is going to be a huge focus for her going forward. It is her only weak surface.
Garcia makes Australian Open and Wimbledon quarterfinals
She has had a great 2022 and has proven to be effective across all surfaces. I also think she will be Swiatek’s biggest rival throughout the year.
Gauff improves her forehand
She has practically no choice—look at how Kasatkina targeted it in the WTA Finals. Every player on tour probably knows it is her biggest weakness at this point. For her 2023 season to be successful, her forehand needs to be a weapon (or non-liability).
Osaka returns to the top 20
2023 will be a good year for the former world no. 1 to start over. Although she lost, she played well against Collins at the US Open. She has shown flashes of greatness throughout the season. More matchplay will make her a more consistent threat.
Zheng makes a deep run at Roland-Garros
She did it last year, and she’s only getting better.
Pegula gets a win over Swiatek
Overall, the trend of how well she does against Swiatek (like Pegula as a player) has been steadily increasing. I predict it will happen in a quarter or semifinal.
Sakkari drops out of the Top 10
Her relative inability to be clutch makes it hard to predict good outcomes for her.
New Wimbledon winner
I do not think Rybakina will pull together another run for the tournament. In line with my previous prediction, I think Sabalenka will probably win it, but one can make a case for Pliskova.
Ostapenko wears more one-of-a-kind kits
Ever since the Latvian star wore her first DK ONE outfit on court, she has had a certain corner of the tennis world in a chokehold.