Ash Barty might not swing the racquet anymore, however the three-time main singles champion is in line so as to add to her unbelievable checklist of achievements.
The 26-year-old is chasing a fifth-straight Newcombe Medal after she was certainly one of a document seven nominees for probably the most prestigious Australian tennis award.
Fresh from serving to Australia attain the Davis Cup last, Alex de Minaur has additionally been nominated together with Matt Ebden, Storm Hunter, Nick Kyrgios, Max Purcell and Ajla Tomljanovic, who reached the quarters at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Barty, the previous world No.1, shared the award with Dylan Alcott final yr and likewise gained it in 2019, 2018, and 2017, with the awards not held in 2020 as a result of Covid-19 pandemic.
Her shock retirement again in March means she’s solely performed a few occasions in 2022, however they have been all high quality, with Barty successful all 11 of her singles matches within the Australian summer season.
The spotlight was her breakthrough win on the Australian Open the place she grew to become the primary native girl to win the grand slam in 44 years.
“It’s an honour to be nominated for the Newcombe Medal this year,” she mentioned.
“Winning the Australian Open in January is something I’m very proud of and ended up being an incredible way to finish my tennis career.
“Being able to win in front of my family, friends and the Aussie fans is something I will never forget. I’m so grateful for the support I have received throughout my career and hope I can now contribute to the Australian tennis community in other ways.”
Kyrgios, who’s Australia’s top-ranked male at twenty second on the planet, has been nominated for the primary time in 5 years after his unbelievable season. He gained the Australian Open doubles title and attain the Wimbledon last the place he misplaced to Novak Djokovic in 4 units.
“Wimbledon was a highlight this year. There were some really memorable matches,” mentioned Kyrgios, who gained the Newcombe Medal again in 2014.
“I think I learned a lot about myself and really developed as a person. I was playing great tennis but even more than that, I made huge strides mentally.”
De Minaur is barely two spots behind Kyrgios and is trying so as to add to the Newcombe Medal he shared with Barty in 2018 after a career-best yr on tour during which he beat seven top-20 gamers.
“2022 has been a memorable year. A year in which I’ve won the most matches I have on tour. I’ve played a lot of great tennis throughout the whole year and more importantly, I’ve stayed healthy,” he mentioned.
“If I had to choose one moment, I think it would probably have to be either winning my sixth title in Atlanta or making the final at Davis Cup at the end of the year and getting very close to lifting a Davis Cup title.
“It’s been such an amazing year for Australian tennis and I’m just happy to be a small part of it. Ultimately, it’s great to see such a proud and rich in history nation playing some great tennis and pushing the limits on the world tour.”
The 2022 Australian Tennis Awards shall be held in Melbourne on December 12.
