The first Grand Slam tournament of the year, the Australian Open, kicks off on Monday, January 16. Polish fans have high hopes for the performance of the leader of the WTA ranking, Iga Świątek, who is one of the favorites of the competition. Unfortunately, optimism may be cooled by the number of Polish tennis players in the main ladder. In total, our country will be represented by only three players, which can be perceived as a huge disappointment. In addition to Świątek, only Magda Linette (46th WTA) and Hubert Hurkacz (11th ATP) will appear on the courts in Melbourne.
Doping and injuries on the path of Polish tennis players. Iga Świątek and Hubert Hurkacz are the only hopes for the Australian Open
Although the position occupied in the ATP ranking at the end of the year (77th place) also gave Kamil Majchrzak (96th ATP) the right to start, the Piotrków native will not compete. All thanks to the doping that was detected in his body. The first negative signals appeared in December last year. The result of sample A was unfortunately confirmed by the analyzes of sample B.
Magdalena Fręch (103rd WTA) also fought for a pass to the main ladder. However, the Polish player was eliminated in the 2nd qualifying round, losing to the much lower ranked American Sachia Vickery (204th WTA) 4:6, 5:7.
The number of our representatives in the qualifiers is also alarming. Looking at the rankings, Maja Chwalińska (159th WTA) should also fight for a place in the main tournament. The young and talented player, who returned to the game last season after serious personal problems, poured great hopes into the hearts of fans. She advanced to the Wimbledon main draw for the first time in her career, advancing to the 2nd round on her debut. In September, however, she underwent knee surgery, from which she is still recovering. – I do not feel 100% ready to compete in tournaments yet. As a result, I have decided not to take part in the Australian Open in January.
From heaven to hell. Back to the dark times of Polish tennis
Referring to last year’s Wimbledon, this tournament equaled the best result in the history of Polish starts in Grand Slams. For the first time since Wimbledon 2014, seven Poles took part in the Grand Slam main draw. This could be a very optimistic prognosis for the coming years. Unfortunately, the reality has painfully verified the fans’ expectations, the best example of which is this year’s Australian Open.
Last year we had at least five tennis players in the main bracket each time. This was a reference to the great year 2014, when at least four tennis players from Poland played in each tournament. In previous seasons, it was very difficult to achieve such results and the first Grand Slam tournament of the season is a return to this disgraceful history.
Number of Poles in Grand Slam tournaments in recent years:
- 2022: Australian Open – 5th, French Open – 5th, Wimbledon – 7th, US Open – 5th
- 2021: AO – 3, FO – 4, W – 3, US – 4
- 2020: AO – 3, FO – 4, W (not held), US – 5
- 2019: AO – 4, FO – 3, W – 4, US – 5
- 2018: AO – 3, FO – 3, W – 3, US – 3
- 2017: AO – 3, FO – 3, W – 3, US – 2
- 2016: AO – 4, FO – 2, W – 3, US – 3
- 2015: AO – 3, FO – 4, W – 4, US – 4
- 2014: AO – 5th, FO – 6th, W – 7th, US – 4th
- 2013: AO – 4, FO – 5, W – 5, US – 5
The Poles have already met their rivals in the first round of the competition. Świątek will start with Jule Niemeier (68th WTA), which was one of the toughest obstacles on the way to the title at last year’s US Open. Linette will face Mayara Sherif (52nd WTA), and Hurkacz will play with Spaniard Pedro Martinez (58th ATP)
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
