WTA Tour 2023: Five women to watch in the year ahead

There still appears to be something of a power vacuum at the top of the women’s game following the retirement of Ash Barty however, new stars are waiting to make their mark on the WTA Tour.
Here we look at five women who could be the top players of 2023.
Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek is the runaway leader of the WTA Rankings but she will still need to back up the incredible season she had in 2022.
Swiatek showed that she is a threat on any hard court or clay and her game on grass is improving.
She should start as favourite in three of the four Grand Slams in 2023.
With three Grand Slams already in the bank, you wouldn’t bet against Swiatek adding to her tally.
Ons Jabeur
Ons Jabeur couldn’t win a Grand Slam in 2022 but she came oh so close in what was a watershed term for the Tunisian star.
Jabeur won her first WTA 1000 event in 2022 and keeps making history.
She has shown that she has the game for all surfaces and she will be disappointed if she cannot win her first Grand Slam in 2023.
Jabeur is one of the most well-liked players on tour but the Minister of Happiness might just trade that for a big title.
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff is another player who will be out to claim a maiden Grand Slam title after reaching her first Major final in 2022.
Gauff has the defence to take on players who have more baseline power and a bigger serve.
She is set to make a push to being consistently in the top five and higher.
Gauff is a player who could inspire a generation and despite still being young could be a massive player in 2023.
Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula had a 2022 that featured numerous instances of her losing to a player who would go on to either reach the final or win the tournament.
Pegula was among the most consistent players across the 2022 campaign and she should keep that roll going if she can stay injury free throughout the year.
She looks set to challenge for Grand Slams especially the hard court events in Australia and the US Open.
Caroline Garcia
Caroline Garcia’s second coming as a top player has seen her convince herself and others that she belongs among the game’s best.
Garcia came good in the second half of the year and a WTA 1000 title was her reward.
She will be a tough player to beat at every Grand Slam and will have huge motivation to do well at the French Open.
READ MORE: What to expect from the 2023 Australian Open season
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