The five newcomers of 2020
There weren't too many playing opportunities this year, especially at the WTA level, to get off to a flying start - but who made the most of the few opportunities? This is our choice.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Dec 07, 2020, 02:56 pm
# 5: Nadia Podoroska - from 255 to 47th place
A year starting in Malibu can't be bad. Best example in 2020: Nadia Podoroska. The Argentine only entered the Baywatch Territory as world number 255, where she took the win, followed by another in Guadeloupe - with 14 successful matches in the end, the top 200 were made. At the WTA tournament in Newport Beach, Podoroska then went to the semi-finals, and after the Corona break, she continued with a semi-final in Prague. Podoroska then put the big exclamation mark in Roland Garros, where she reached the semi-finals from qualifying - among other things after a win against Elina Svitolina, before the eventual winner Iga Swiaek was over.
# 4: Ons Jabeur - from 81st to 31st
Fans of Caroline Wozniacki are probably not good at talking about the Tunisian, after all, Jabeur ended the career of the former number 1 in the world with her third round victory. But they were probably warned: Jabeur had previously made Johanna Konta and Caroline Garcia desperate with their variable game and ultimately made it to the quarter-finals in Melbourne. The round of the last eight, it was the topic for Jabeur: It also went this far in Doha, Lexington, Cincinnati and Ostrava, but no further. Otherwise even more would have been possible for the 26-year-old.
# 3: Jennifer Brady - from number 53 to 24
Another with a strong start to the season - and a finish! Brady surprised in Brisbane with victories over Maria Sharapova and the world number one Ashleigh Barty. And turned it up even more after the Corona break: Tournament victory in Lexington and a semi-finals at the US Open, where she also knocked out fellow favorite Angelique Kerber with her heavy spin in the round of 16. The eventual winner Naomi Osaka prevented the entry into the final in three contested sets. If Brady continues like this, it should soon be in the top 20.
# 2: Elena Rybakina - from 36th to 19th place
Rybakina continued in 2020 where she left off in 2019 - and also got off to a strong start in 2020. Final in Shenzhen, victory in Hobart, final in St. Petersburg and Dubai, later another final in Strasbourg. The 21-year-old is also the new "Ace Queen" of the tour: She achieved 193 aces in 39 matches. A candidate for the top 10? Should be soon.
# 1: Iga Swiatek - from 59th to 17th place
She has long been considered a great talent, Roland Garros suddenly changes everything for her. Until then: 2020 ran rather mixed. After supposedly strong preparation, Swiatek had traveled to the USA with great expectations, but had put too much pressure on himself there. In Paris, the package then fit, also because she now followed her instinct with more stringent tactics . Brutal: Swiatek only gave up 28 games in seven matches, leaving the big favorite Simona Halep 6: 1, 6: 2 no chance in the round of 16. And also in the final against Sofia Kenin did not show any nerves before her greatest success.