I couldn’t resist adding to the tradition of writing about my favourite matches of the year. It’s by no means a complete list as I barely watched anything after the US Open. These are the matches that I will remember from 2023. If you fancy a blast from the past then you can read previous countdowns on MTB here.

10. Sofia Kenin d. Coco Gauff, 6-4 4-6 6-2 (Wimbledon, R1)

There were a handful of moments in 2023 where Kenin popped up out of nowhere with a potent reminder that she’s still a dangerous player who can beat anyone on her day. The rallies in this match were fantastic! In hindsight, this tough result for Gauff may have spurred her on for what would be a glorious summer.

9. Linda Noskova d. Victoria Azarenka, 6-4 6-7(3) 7-6(6) (Adelaide, QF)

Noskova’s run to the final in Adelaide as a qualifier in the first week of the season was one of the most impressive of the entire season. The quarter-final against Azarenka was a terrific contest where there was so little to choose between the pair.

8. Aryna Sabalenka d. Iga Swiatek, 6-3 3-6 6-3 (Madrid, Final)

A much hyped clash between #1 vs. #2 that delivered. Both played well at the same time. Sabalenka was too good on this occasion in what was arguably her best performance of the entire season.

7. Clara Tauson d. Leylah Fernandez, 6-3 5-7 6-4 (French Open, R2)

A hidden gem from the early rounds of the French Open on the outside courts. A thoroughly enjoyable match between two players that I always find myself rooting for.

6. Ons Jabeur d. Aryna Sabalenka, 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3 (Wimbledon, SF)

A wonderfully charged and intense semi-final. Not the highest quality but I remember being hooked and on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Jabeur and Svitolina ran the show at this year’s Wimbledon, each taking out four Slam champions, before running into Vondrousova.

5. Iga Swiatek d. Karolina Muchova, 6-2 5-7 6-4 (French Open, Final)

What is it with my favourite players peaking at the French Open?! From looking down and out in the second set, Muchova mounted a stirring comeback and was so close to winning the whole caboodle! Muchova brought the best out of Swiatek who found another gear at the end of the third set. Great final.

4. Emma Raducanu d. Beatriz Haddad Maia, 6-1 2-6 6-4 (Indian Wells, R3)

One of the few matches away from the Slams in 2023 that I was completely invested in. Indian Wells can be a tough watch yet somehow I didn’t notice how slow the courts were as Raducanu and Haddad Maia pummelled tennis balls at each other. The third set was a treat with one memorable rally where Raducanu had to hit overhead after overhead after overhead…

3. Karolina Muchova d. Aryna Sabalenka, 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 7-5 (French Open, SF)

The French Open was my favourite tournament of the year and Muchova-Sabalenka was the peak. A sensational match with a surprising plot twist at the end. I remember heading off to play tennis and following the live scores in the car. I was in utter disbelief when Muchova won the last five games and saved a match point in the process! 😱

2. Elina Svitolina d. Victoria Azarenka, 2-6 6-4 7-6(9) (Wimbledon, R4)

This match just got better and better and better. An absolute classic played out in a pandemonium atmosphere. It was such an unfortunate moment after the match with the crowd booing at the no-handshake because both players deserved a prolonged standing ovation. Svitolina’s comeback in 2023 was one of the brightest stories of the year. She returned almost a different player with an aggressive flair that was on show in this memorable match.

1. Aryna Sabalenka d. Elena Rybakina, 4-6 6-3 6-4 (Australian Open, Final)

When I watched this final back there was no doubt that it was my match of the year as I felt nervous again even though I knew what happened! I think the final stood out even more because the second week of the Australian Open was largely forgettable. For Sabalenka, this was a victory for perseverence. One year prior Sabalenka had a pretty severe case of the serving yips and had repeatably blinked in big matches. Rather fittingly, it was Sabalenka’s serve that held up when trying to serve out the match in a classic nerve-shredding final game. A high-quality final with an exciting finish. You couldn’t ask for more 😊.

Best of the rest:

Caroline Garcia d. Leylah Fernandez, 7-6(5) 7-5 (Australian Open, R2): Low-key one of the best match-ups of the year. Garcia won all three of their clashes but they were all so closely contested.

Caroline Garcia d. Laura Siegemund , 1-6 6-3 6-3 (Australian Open, R3): Another great match with Garcia that the crowd went cuckoo for. I felt like Garcia was onto something with these two wins in Melbs but she would exit the tournament in the next round.

Ons Jabeur d. Olga Danilovic, 4-6 6-4 6-2 (French Open, R3): I don’t understand why Danilovic is not making more noise?! Danilovic played a superb first set but Jabeur found a way. Fun match.

Venus Williams d. Camila Giorgi, 7-6(5) 4-6 7-6(6) (Birmingham, R1): One of the most dramatic matches of the year. In awe of Venus.

Iga Swiatek d. Belinda Bencic, 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-3 (Wimbledon, R4): One of the most memorable days of tennis when Svitolina-Azarenka was happening at the same time. A classic escape from Swiatek.