As someone who knows what it takes to reach the top of the game, Queensland tennis legend Patrick Rafter is in no doubt about the level WTA World No. 1 Iga Swiatek will bring to Brisbane for the inaugural United Cup.

“Swiatek is a great player,” said Rafter of the three-time Grand Slam champion and Team Poland star on Sunday during a visit to Pat Rafter Arena, the venue which bears his name and is set to host group-stage action at the new mixed teams event. “I saw [her play] a lot because I watched a lot of Ash [Barty] playing. So whenever I watched Ash as well, they were coming up against each other, and she’s had a really great year.

“She’s got a lot of smarts about her, she’s one of those girls that I thought had that sort of X element part of the game and by all accounts is a really lovely girl as well. I know Ash is a really big fan of hers, so she’ll be great to have here.”

World No. 12 Belinda Bencic and No. 15 Beatriz Haddad Maia are among the other WTA stars representing their countries from 29 December to 4 January in Brisbane, where they will be joined by some heavy-hitters from the ATP Tour. ATP World No. 3 Casper Ruud, No. 10 Hubert Hurkacz, No. 16 Matteo Berrettini and 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka will all hope to help their respective nations qualify for the United Cup Final Four, to be held in Sydney from 6-8 January.

“Ruud [is here], Hurkacz is here, Berrettini, you’ve got some really strong players here,” said Rafter. “But you’re also going to see some fresh faces and names that you might not know who are actually very, very good players too, and probably the next up-and-comers. So this will be a pretty exciting tournament.”

The United Cup is set to kick off the 2023 season on both the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour, with 18 nations competing in six groups across Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. Each tie will comprise of two ATP and two WTA singles matches, and one mixed doubles match, and the round-robin format of the group stage guarantees some early-season clashes between some of the world’s biggest stars.

“You’re going to see some of the great players playing multiple matches,” said Rafter. “A lot of the times if a player does come down here and they lose first round you don’t get to see them again. You will be guaranteed those matches.

“The concept of team sports has been working really well. I think we saw it here with the ATP Cup. We saw how engaged they all were with their team and their boxes and things like that. The United Cup is going to have the same type of feel. Like the old Davis Cup, Blllie Jean King Cup, those type of events… I think [the idea] has some legs and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.”

During his stellar career on the ATP Tour, Rafter lifted 11 tour-level titles including back-to-back victories at the US Open in 1998 and 1999, and reached No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in 1999. He believes the United Cup offers something unique for present-day players on both Tours and is positive about the impact it can have on the future of the game.

“It’s a great concept,” said Rafter. “Let’s see how it goes. Tennis Australia are really good, they like to try new initiatives. They’re having a crack at the men and women playing together. I’m really interested to see how it plays out. Hopefully all of Brisbane and all this area, the surrounding areas, will come down and have a look at it.

“When I played, you rarely saw the men and women come together, [but] they are starting to join. I think it’s important, it’s just extra content, it’s just an extra dynamic with the players and the people in the stands can watch. It’s a good idea… It’s a really interesting concept, this particular one.”

Roger Federer retired earlier this year following the Laver Cup. But the Swiss legend is still giving back to the fans.

Federer loaned his kit and shoes from the final match of his career to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, where fans can see it. The outfit and an autographed copy of his retirement letter are on display in the museum.

“This addition to the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to the final chapter in a defining career,” said International Tennis Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin. “We are tremendously grateful to Roger for this generous loan, and for valuing our mission to preserve tennis history as it happens. The ITHF congratulates Roger on all his achievements, the example he has set for everyone in the sport, and for his dedication to the sport’s history. We know this exhibit will inspire countless fans and visitors.”

There are several items relating to Federer in the museum, one of which is a hologram experience that bears his likeness.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame is home to the Infosys Hall of Fame Open, an ATP 250 event that in 2023 will be played from 17-23 July.

ATPTour.com’s annual season-in-review series looks back at 2022’s best matches, biggest upsets, most dramatic comebacks and more. Today, we feature the first-time ATP Tour title winners of the season.

Securing a match win on the ATP Tour is hard enough, but stringing together a series of back-to-back victories across a single week to lift a trophy requires even greater technical consistency, physical discipline and mental focus.

This year, 12 players managed that feat for the first time, hitting a milestone that will forever stand out in the context of their careers. As part of our annual season-in-review series, ATPTour.com reflects on the lineup of stars who clinched their maiden ATP Tour title in 2022.

Thanasi Kokkinakis, Adelaide
Kokkinakis clinched an emotional victory in his hometown at the Adelaide International 2 in January, a reward for the Australian’s commitment and hard work after a series of devastating injuries. His run at the ATP 250 event included hard-fought three-set wins against three of the biggest servers on Tour in John Isner, Marin Cilic and Arthur Rinderknech.

“I wouldn’t want to win my first title anywhere else,” said Kokkinakis after edging Rinderknech 6-7(6), 7-6(5) 6-3 in the final. “To my family, friends and coaches, what a ride it’s been. You have seen me at my lowest lows and now the highest high. It’s been a serious journey. For now, I am so happy.”

_{^{Kokkinakis kisses the court in Adelaide. Photo Credit: David Mariuz/Tennis Australia}}

Alexander Bublik, Montpellier
Bublik capped a rock-solid week at the Open Sud de France – Montpellier by claiming the biggest win of his career to seal his maiden tour-level crown. The Kazakh deployed his trademark combination of big-hitting and deft touches to stun World No. 3 Alexander Zverev in straight sets in the championship match at the ATP 250 event. It was Bublik’s first victory in five championship match appearances.

“I played four finals before and [in] the fifth final I have won against a great player [in] Sascha,” said Bublik after his 6-4, 6-3 victory. “It is great. All my game together. I was serving well and returned well and kept my nerve. I was lucky [at some] moments, and when I had my chances, I used them.” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

^{_{Bublik holds his trophy in Montpellier. Photo Credit: JB Autissier/Panoramic.}}

Felix Auger-Aliassime, Rotterdam
After his eight previous tour-level finals all ended in disappointment, Auger-Aliassime could have been forgiven for showing nerves in February when he took on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam. Yet the Canadian barely looked back as he charged past the World No. 4 Greek 6-4, 6-2 to break his trophy duck at the ATP 500 event.

“It is definitely a dream come true,” Auger-Aliassime, who went on to lift three further titles in a standout 2022 season, told ATPTour.com after his triumph in The Netherlands. “It is something I have been working for and suffering for at times because we all know my story, having lost finals before, so this one is even more special for me.” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

Pedro Martinez, Santiago
A gruelling week on the Santiago clay ended with a maiden ATP Tour title for Martinez, who came through three-set battles against top-quality clay-courters Jaume Munar, Alejandro Tabilo and Sebastian Baez to claim victory at the Chile Dove Men+Care Open. The 24-year-old’s 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 championship match triumph against Baez made him the fifth Spanish tour-level titlist of a 2022 season that was barely two months old.

“We have a really good culture of tennis in Spain, so that’s what gives you confidence to reach new things,” Martinez later told ATPTour.com. “I hope I can go higher in the rankings and keep playing like this.” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

_{^{Martinez triumphs in Santiago. Photo Credit: Matias Donoso|@chile_open/@chileopentenis}}

Holger Rune, Munich
“If I look through the week, what a week,” said Rune after charging to his maiden tour-level crown without dropping a set at April’s BMW Open by American Express. “I played some unbelievable tennis, really fighting my way through it. To be playing here in Munich and winning my first ATP title in front of such a brilliant crowd, I couldn’t really ask for more.”

Rune’s run included his maiden Top 10 victory against home favourite Alexander Zverev in the second round before Botic van de Zandschulp’s retirement at 4-3 in the first set of the final saw the 19-year-old lift the trophy. It was only a sign of things to come for Rune, who later put together a stunning late-season charge to win 19 of his final 21 matches of the year, lift further trophies in Stockholm and Paris, and break into the Top 10 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time. Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

_{^{Rune lifts the trophy in Munich. Photo Credit: Christof Stache/Getty Images.}}

Sebastian Baez, Estoril
Baez drew inspiration from an unlikely source en route to his maiden ATP Tour title at the Millennium Estoril Open — his championship match opponent Frances Tiafoe. The Argentine had noticed the words “Why not me?” on Tiafoe’s bracelet early in the week and wrote them on the camera lens after each of his victories in Portugal.

When the pair eventually met in the final, it was Baez who charged to a 6-3, 6-2 triumph at the ATP 250 event. After receiving the trophy, Baez said to Tiafoe: “Why not me? And why not you, man?” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

Tim van Rijthoven, ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Van Rijthoven was still searching for his maiden main-draw win on the ATP Tour prior to arriving in ‘s-Hertogenbosch for the Libema Open in June. By the end of the week, the No. 205-ranked home wild card had five, after a stunning streak of clean-hitting grass-court tennis moved him past Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev to become the lowest-ranked tour-level titlist of 2022.

“I never thought I would win the tournament,” said Van Rijthoven, who raced past Medvedev 6-4, 6-1 to become the first Dutchman to win the ATP 250 event since 2003. “I wanted to maybe upset one player. But to upset a couple of players and win the title is just incredible.” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

^{_{Van Rijthoven celebrates in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Photo Credit: Libema Open.}}

Maxime Cressy, Newport
With Alexander Bublik leading 6-2, 3-0 in the Infosys Hall of Fame Open championship match in Newport, Cressy’s hopes of clinching his maiden ATP Tour title in his third final were on the ropes. Yet the American’s unwavering commitment to his serve-and-volley tactics engineered one of the comebacks of the 2022 season, as the 25-year-old rallied to a dramatic 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) victory at the grass-court ATP 250 event.

“My dream is to really make serve and volley great again and inspire many people to start playing that game style,” Cressy later told ATPTour.com. “I’ve seen other players do it a lot more, like Rafa [Nadal]. If I can impact the tennis world and make serve and volley a game style that people enjoy and want to play, it’s going to be big.” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

^{_{Cressy comes forward in Newport. Photo Credit: Ben Solomon/International Tennis Hall of Fame.}}

Francisco Cerundolo, Bastad
Cerundolo’s charge to his maiden tour-level crown at the Nordea Open simultaneously banished some disappointing memories of his first ATP Tour final, a heavy loss to countryman Diego Schwartzman in Buenos Aires in 2021. The 23-year-old Cerundolo kept cool throughout his run in Bastad, where his powerful baseline hitting took out Casper Ruud and Pablo Carreno Busta before his 7-6(4), 6-2 championship match triumph against Sebastian Baez.

“Since you are a child you imagine yourself playing in these events and finals,” said Cerundolo at the trophy ceremony. “When I lost in Buenos Aires, I was sad, because I was at home and I lost badly, but I learned a lot from that. I used it today, and I think I played a great match, a great week.” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

_{^{Cerundolo takes the trophy in Bastad. Photo Credit: Nordea Open/Johan Lilja.}}

Lorenzo Musetti, Hamburg
After letting slip five championship points against Carlos Alcaraz in the second set of the Hamburg European Open final, Musetti’s mental fortitude was put to the ultimate test at the ATP 500 event. The 20-year-old Italian passed with flying colours, eventually edging the top seed 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4 after two hours, 47 minutes to prevail in one of the best ATP Tour matches of 2022.

“It was a roller-coaster until the end,” Musetti, who later backed up his Hamburg triumph with a title run in Naples in October, reflected after the match. “I had so many match points… But I think the key to the match was to keep calm and [have] all the patience [with] myself because it was really not easy. Carlos was putting so much effort in the match points when he was down, so it was not easy to find the energy to come back.” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

Brandon Nakashima, San Diego
The pressure of playing at home is not always easy to handle, but Nakashima made it look that way by surging to his first ATP Tour crown for the loss of just one set all week at the San Diego Open. Later describing the run as “Like a dream”, the American acknowledged the experience of winning his maiden Tour title was made even sweeter by the fact he had accomplished the feat in the city where he grew up.

“Of course being in my hometown, I get to go home tonight, celebrate with the team,” said the 21-year-old after beating Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-4 in the final. “I don’t have to fly back [like] if we were somewhere else. I’m sure we’re going to celebrate with all my family down here, all my coaches… Just enjoy this moment as much as possible.” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

^{_{Nakashima wins in San Diego. Photo Credit: Will LeFevre.}}

Marc-Andrea Huesler, Sofia
The only left-handed first-time winner of the 2022 season, Huesler’s big-serving and precise volleying took him past a host of top-quality opponents, including Pablo Carreno Busta, Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune, to a surprise maiden title at the Sofia Open. The 26-year-old, who saved two match points against Kamil Majchrzak in the quarter-finals, was the first Swiss player to win an ATP Tour title since Roger Federer in 2019.

“This whole week has been a complete fairy tale for me,” said a delighted Huesler at the trophy ceremony after downing Rune 6-4, 7-6(8). “I would have been happy to pass a couple of rounds and I’m holding the trophy here.” Read First-Time Winner Spotlight.

_{^{Huesler in action in Sofia. Photo Credit: Vladimir Stoyanov/LAP.bg.}}

Read more from our Best Of 2022 Series

The United Cup, a magnificent new hallmarked sterling silver and 24-carat gold-plated trophy, was today unveiled at Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Western Australia.

Grand Slam mixed doubles champion and Perth-born Casey Dellacqua, Western Australian Minister for Sport, the Hon. David Templeman MLA, United Cup Tournament Director Stephen Farrow, and United Cup Perth General Manager Brett Patten revealed the new silverware, 10 days out from the inaugural event.

The United Cup will showcase equality at the highest level of the sport when the world’s best players unite and compete side by side across Brisbane, Perth and Sydney from Thursday 29 December to Sunday 8 January 2023.

Standing at 50cm tall, the hand-crafted United Cup features 36 sweeping rods to represent the 18-country mixed doubles partnerships, each shaped by hand.

“We wanted a trophy that was instantly iconic, that was very special and unique for the United Cup. And we wanted something that really symbolises bringing together the male and female players,” Farrow said.

The path the rods take from the plinth to the rim of the bowl suggests the movement of a tennis ball and how a ball can change speed and direction.

The reflective surfaces of the trophy capture the energy and liveliness of the sport.

“The bowl is symbolic of a prize made for sharing and bringing people together because ultimately this event is about bringing together the best male and the best female players to play for their country,” Farrow continued.

The United Cup has been crafted by Thomas Lyte, a Royal Warrant holder as silversmiths and goldsmiths to Her Late Majesty The Queen and former Head of the Commonwealth.

VIEW THE MAKING OF THE UNITED CUP

They are best known as world class designers, makers, and restorers of many of the world’s most iconic trophies including the Laver Cup, trophies for the ATP Finals, the FA Cup, the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations Championship.

The design of the United Cup was led by Thomas Lyte’s Head Silverware Designer, Trevor Brown, an Australian based in East Gippsland in regional Victoria, before a team of ten master silversmiths and goldsmiths handcrafted the trophy in their fine silver workshops in London. More than 400 craft-hours were needed to create this masterpiece.

“Our craftspeople, and designers are so proud of this piece. It is one of our favourite commissions,” Thomas Lyte’s Director and former English cricketer Neil MacLaurin said.

“Due to the interplay of the gold and silver, and the complex reflections from every angle, we believe that as well as having the potential to become a revered, iconic sporting trophy, the United Cup is truly a work of art.”

Adding to the trophy’s extraordinary story, the United Cup’s hallmark also carries the Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Mark. This is a special commemorative mark, only available to commissions hallmarked in London in 2022, designed to celebrate the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, RAC Arena in Perth and Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney will host the United Cup group stage from Thursday 29 December to Wednesday 4 January 2023.

Each host city will feature two groups of three countries, competing in a round-robin format.

Group winners in each city will play off for one of three semi-final spots.

Three City Champions will advance to the United Cup Final Four in Sydney from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 January. The next best performing team from the group stage will complete the quartet.

The United Cup trophy will visit each host city before the first winner is crowned.

For further information on the United Cup please visit www.UnitedCup.com and follow @UnitedCupTennis on social media.

The margins are razor thin between the ATP Challenger Tour and Tour-level players.

While every tennis player dreams of competing under the bright lights and on big stages, they must first pave their pathway on the Challenger Tour. Tennis legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic all started on the Challenger circuit before embarking on illustrious careers.

This season, players such as Holger Rune, Wu Yibing, and Jack Draper enjoyed great success at not only Challenger Tour events, but also at the season’s four Grand Slams.

ATPTour.com reviews five players who went from Challengers to enjoying a breakthrough moment at a major in 2022.

Holger Rune
Coming into the season, the Danish teen was outside the Top 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and was still seeking his first Grand Slam main draw victory. It didn’t take Rune long to rise to a career-high 10 in November following a standout year.

Rune was one of just nine teenagers to collect a Challenger title this year. In April, the-then 18-year-old triumphed at the Sanremo Challenger, where he dropped just one set en route to the title and defeated Italian youngster Francesco Passaro in the final.

Passaro (left) and Rune at the 2022 Sanremo Challenger trophy presentation. Credit: Sanremo Challenger

Only one man has earned more Challenger titles than Rune before his 19th birthday: Richard Gasquet (7). Rune, who is a five-time Challenger champion, was one of six men to claim a Challenger and Tour-level title in 2022.

A month after winning the Challenger 80 event in Italy, Rune collected his first Tour-level crown (Munich) and was a quarter-finalist at Roland Garros, where he upset fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Wu Yibing
After being sidelined for three years due to injuries and the pandemic, the 23-year-old enjoyed a career-best season that earned him a nomination for the ATP Comeback Player Of The Year.

Wu went on a 15 match-winning streak at the Challenger-level and collected three consecutive titles: Orlando, Rome, Indianapolis. The Chinese star carried his momentum into his Grand Slam debut at Flushing Meadows, where he and countryman Zhang Zhizhen battled through qualifying to become the first Chinese men to compete in the US Open main draw in the Open Era.

Wu Yibing is crowned champion at the 2022 Orlando Challenger. Credit: Orlando Open

The Hangzhou native reached the third round, where he faced defending champion Daniil Medvedev under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Medvedev went on to win in straight sets but Wu’s run at the US Open will be remembered as a major milestone in Chinese tennis.

“It’s been a tough few years for me,” Wu told ATPTour.com in August. “I really suffered from injuries and Covid in China. It seems like I can still play a little bit of tennis. I’m happy about what I did [at the US Open]. I love the people here, the crowd. Many Chinese people came to support, I love it.”

Jack Draper
Nobody finished the year with a better winning percentage on the Challenger Tour than Draper. The 20-year-old boasted a 24-4 Challenger match-winning record and collected a season-leading four Challenger titles (tied w/ Pedro Cachin): Forli-2, Forli-4, Forli-5, and Saint-Brieuc. The lefty cracked the Top 100 for the first time this summer amidst a quick rise on the ATP Tour.

Jack Draper triumphs at the Saint-Brieuc Challenger. Credit: Philippe Kermoal

Shortly after earning his maiden Grand Slam main-draw victory at his home tournament, Wimbledon, Draper found success on the North American hard courts, including at the US Open, where he stunned sixth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.

Tim Van Rijthoven
In February, the Dutchman advanced through qualifying en route to a runner-up finish at the Forli-4 Challenger (l. Draper). A few months later, Van Rijthoven won the ATP 250 event in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, where he upset the Top-3 seeded players: Taylor Fritz, Auger-Aliassime, and Medvedev. Van Rijthoven became one of six men since 2007 to win an ATP Tour title before being crowned champion at the Challenger level.

The 25-year-old’s grass court success continued at the All England Club. Van Rijthoven reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and pushed eventual champion Novak Djokovic to four sets.

Tim van Rijthoven in action at Wimbledon. Credit: Adrian Dennis/Getty Images

At the season’s final Slam, Van Rijthoven won a dramatic opening round five-setter. The Dutchman rallied from two sets to love down and saved seven match points to defeat Zhang. Van Rijthoven lost in the next round to eventual finalist Casper Ruud.

Carlos Alcaraz
Although the Spaniard didn’t compete at the Challenger level in 2022, his rapid rise from the Challenger Tour to Grand Slam champion won’t soon be forgotten.

Alcaraz, who is the youngest year-end No. 1 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, found early success on the Challenger Tour. A four-time Challenger titlist, Alcaraz cracked the Top 100 for the first time following his title at the Oeiras Challenger in May 2021. The 19-year-old also collected the title at the 2020 Alicante, Barcelona, and Trieste Challengers.

“There are a lot of points at stake at the Challenger level,” Alcaraz told ATPTour.com after winning the Trieste Challenger. “To play at such a high level against really good players… It’s good preparation for when I compete at the biggest tournaments.”

Even the highest-ranked player in the sport began his professional journey on the ATP Challenger Tour.

Carlos Alcaraz lifts his maiden Grand Slam trophy in New York City. Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal announced Monday that Gustavo Marcaccio has joined his coaching team ahead of the 2023 ATP Tour season.

In an Instagram post sharing the news, Nadal said that Argentina’s Marcaccio has worked at his academy since April 2021, calling him “a good addition to the team”. “It will surely help us a lot to continue on the path,” Nadal posted in Spanish, looking forward to the new year.

Marcaccio previously coached countryman Guido Pella from 2016-18 and has been the sub-captain for the Argentina Davis Cup team since 2018. He has also worked with Argentines Juan Monaco and Maximo Gonzalez, as well as Ecuador’s Giovanni Lapentti in the past. On the Hologic WTA Tour, Marcaccio has coached Svetlana Kuznetsova and Paula Ormaechea.

A former college player at Arizona State University, he reached a career-high of No. 284 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in 2004.

Nadal’s announcement comes three days after the Spaniard shared that longtime coach Francisco Roig was leaving his team to “start a new personal project as a coach”. 

It was a historic season for Carlos Alcaraz, whose accomplishments in 2022 include winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title, his maiden Grand Slam championship and climbing to World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

To wrap his year, ATPTour.com asked the Spaniard for the best, biggest, coolest and craziest things to happen to him this season.

Carlos’ Biggest Thing: Ending The Year As World No. 1
Alcaraz at the Nitto ATP Finals was recognised as the youngest year-end No. 1 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings (since 1973). The 19-year-old became the first teen to accomplish the feat.

“It means a lot to me,” Alcaraz said. “To get this trophy, the World No. 1, to be part of tennis history along with a lot of legends, for me is an amazing feeling.”

^{Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour}
Carlos’ Best Thing: Winning The US Open & Reaching World No. 1
Fans and analysts alike had Alcaraz on their radar well before the start of the 2022 season, but few could have predicted how quickly he soared. By defeating Casper Ruud in the US Open final, he claimed his maiden major crown and with it, the No. 1 Pepperstone ATP Ranking.

“It’s crazy for me. I’ve never thought that I was going to achieve something like that at 19 years old. So everything [has] come so fast,” Alcaraz said. “For me it’s unbelievable. It’s something I dreamed since I was a kid, since I started playing tennis. Of course, lifting this trophy today is amazing for me.”

^{Photo Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images}
Carlos’ Coolest Thing: Winning The Mutua Madrid Open In Front Of Family & Friends
Alcaraz claimed five of his six tour-level titles this season. The one that hit closest to home — literally — was his victory at the Mutua Madrid Open. The Spaniard defeated three of the top four players in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings — Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev — en route to the trophy in front of his family and friends.

“I am a very familial kid. I have been a kid that whenever I can, I’d rather be at home than somewhere else,” Alcaraz said after his win. “For me to celebrate this title, which is very special, with my family, with my cousins, uncles, grandparents, all my family in general, it’s very, very special.”

Carlos’ Craziest Thing: A Coach’s Surprise
When Alcaraz advanced to the Miami Open presented by Itau final, it was a special moment. In 2021 on his Miami debut, the Spaniard lost in the first round. One year later he was into his first ATP Masters 1000 championship match.

The only missing piece was his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who was home mourning the loss of his father. Throughout the tournament, Alcaraz paid homage to Ferrero and his family. The teen was pushing through for him.

“After this happened, it was tough for me, it was tough for him,” Ferrero said of not being in Miami. “And even like this he could stay at the same level and trying… to stay even more focussed.”

^{Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images}
The night before the final, Alcaraz received a shock when he turned around in the hotel lobby to see his coach standing there. The pair shared an emotional embrace, just as they did the following day after Alcaraz clinched the title.

“Juan Carlos [is a] very important person for me. On [the] professional side, on the personal side, he helps me a lot on both sides,” Alcaraz said after his victory. “When we are together, we will talk about everything in life, everything in our sport, about football, as well. I mean Juan Carlos, I consider him a coach and a friend as well. So I can talk to him about everything.”

It all starts and ends with the return landing back in the court.

An Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis of return points won by the year-end Top 10 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings when the return was successfully put back in play highlights a key strategic advantage that Novak Djokovic enjoyed over his closest rivals.

Djokovic was the peak performer at winning both first and second serve points when his return was put back in play. The data set comes from the ATP Serve & Return Tracker and includes 13,215 first and second serve returns from the 2022 season.

First Serve Return Points Won When Return In Play (Top 10 Average = 45.9%)

Imagine an opponent making a powerful first serve and Djokovic successfully blocking it back in play. Who is now favoured to win the point?

Incredibly, Djokovic is.

Djokovic (50.3 per cent) was the only Top 10 player to break through the 50 per cent threshold and win more points than he lost when returning first serves back in play. This statistic helps explain what makes him one of the greatest returners in the history of our sport.