This is the annual post on Moo’s Tennis Blog where I have a go at predicting the season-ending top ten for the upcoming season. 2022 was a strange old season – view last year’s results here and previous years here. Here’s hoping that 2023 is a more standard year in terms of ranking points. Read on for my 2023 predictions…

10. Zheng Qinwen: I knew very little about Zheng Qinwen pre-2022. Now she’s one of the names i’m looking out for in draws. From #126 to 25 in 2022. I think the top ten is calling in 2023.

9. Bianca Andreescu: For much of 2022, I thought Andreescu was on the verge of a big breakthrough. While there was steady progress in the right direction and the body help up for the most part, it didn’t quite happen. I’m still impressed by Andreescu’s attitude and ambition and I tend to think 2023 will be a return towards the heights of 2019.

8. Jessica Pegula: Pegula has such a solid base game and steady mentality that I expect she will maintain her position in the world’s top ten. Can she win a Slam in singles? Hmm I still don’t see Pegula as a title contender at the Slams just yet.

7. Liudmila Samsonova: I’m sold on Samsonova. Huge game matched with an improved mentality. Samsonova began to ignite during the second half of 2022. I don’t think it was a flash in the pan. More, the start of something big. I think Samsonova will reach at least one Slam quarter-final in 2023 and win a WTA 1000 title.

6. Belinda Bencic: The highlight of Bencic’s last two seasons have undoubtedly been playing for her country. There have been two jaunts in the top ten during her career. Both were rather fleeting though. I feel like now is the time for Bencic to take that next step and become a mainstay in the world’s top ten. I’m still convinced she is going to go on a tear at Wimbledon one year. 2023?

5. Ons Jabeur: I missed Ons off my top ten last year. Big mistake! Jabeur built on a superb 2021 season by achieving new feats in 2022 with back-to-back Slam finals. Top five? Yep. Can Ons win a Slam? Hmmm i’m wavering. I would love to see it happen at Wimbledon after coming so close in 2022.

4. Coco Gauff: There is a natural hesitation and wariness with how Gauff ended 2022 and the forehand completely out-of-sorts. I can overlook that at the end of a long and draining season. Superb attitude, constantly learning and evolving, and versatile with a game for all surfaces. Gauff will continue to impress.

3. Amanda Anisimova: Following on from last year’s predictions, i’m going all in on Anisimova. I feel like Anisimova’s 2022 season was better than her season ending ranking of #24 lets on. Consistency will always be a question mark because she’s so aggressive. High-risk brings high-reward. I think Anisimova will win a Slam in 2023.

2. Aryna Sabalenka: It’s rather remarkable that Sabalenka finished 2022 in the top five considering she didn’t have a serve at the start of the season. I would be surprised if she didn’t carry some of that positive momentum from the WTA Finals into 2023. A first Slam final incoming. I’m still on the fence whether Sabalenka can actually win a Slam though.

1. Iga Swiatek: No deliberation for number one. Swiatek won the US Open playing sub-par for much of the tournament and yet she still won the whole caboodle. Still some areas to improve – the second serve and the forehand can go skew-whiff at times. But the overall game is so solid and the mentality is next level. It will take something special to knock Swiatek off the number one perch. I’m going for two more Slams in 2023 including one step closer to the career Slam.

Best of the rest:

Barbora Krejcikova: Ostrava!!! showed that Krejcikova can beat literally anyone on her day. Hopefully a season without any big injuries. Top 15.

Maria Sakkari: I’m not convinced by Sakkari being able to hold her nerve in the big matches. It’s one of those situations where I don’t think I will believe it until I see it. Hope i’m proven wrong. Top 15.

Naomi Osaka: Who knows. After such a tough year with injuries, I think Osaka will be resurgent. Could be #1. It wouldn’t be a surprise. Tentative to predict higher than top 15 as not figured out clay and grass yet which are four months of the season.

Marie Bouzkova: Will win matches through pure grit and determination. Was an absolute wall at Wimbledon. Will need to take a few more chances to make the next step. Top 20.

Caroline Garcia: Was just terrific during the second half of 2022. But having watched Garcia through much of her career I think I will always be wary. Top 20.

Marketa Vondrousova: I think Vondrousova will be one of the biggest risers of the season. WTA Comeback player of the year for 2023? Top 20.

Garbiñe Muguruza: I just have to mention Mugu. She’s always an ever-present in my top ten. It feels inevitable she will bounce back from #55 (!). How far though? I’m not as hopeful as usual. Top 30.

Jule Niemeier: Great game. Performed her best on the big stage in 2022. Top 30.

Linda Noskova: So impressed after watching Noskova live at Rolly G this year. Clean game. Solid mentality. WTA Newcomer of the year for 2023? Top 30.

Clara Tauson: Eek I went big on Tauson in 2022. Really encouraged to see that she seems fit again and has been winning matches in the off-season. If she can stay healthy, then I think she gets back to her peak ranking of #33 at some point in 2023.

Karolina Muchova: I’ll never lose hope 😂. Muchova has the game and mentality for winning Slams. Her body has let her down so often so it’s tough to make predictions.

Slam Predictions:

Australian Open: Swiatek

French Open: Swiatek

Wimbledon: Bencic

US Open: Anisimova