Ash Barty cannot be denied a fifth straight Newcombe Medal on Monday night time.
The solely query is: Will the retired famous person should share the honours for a 3rd time?
One gloriously triumphant month in January was sufficient to safe Barty one other “Newk” regardless of the three-time grand slam champion strolling away from the sport simply six weeks later.
Breaking the Australian Open’s 44-year native title drought, after reigning in Adelaide to finish an undefeated summer time, might be sufficient for Barty to be topped Australian tennis’s participant of 2022.
But the judges could also be tempted to hail Nick Kyrgios as a joint winner after the mercurial expertise’s most interesting season but.
After tumbling to No.137th in rankings in February, Kyrgios soared again in to the world’s prime 20 following a stellar yr that includes not solely a run to the Wimbledon closing but additionally a career-best quarter-final exhibiting on the US Open, a seventh ATP title and vastly spectacular six top-10 scalps.
While there was no grand slam crown – in contrast to Barty’s – to indicate for his efforts, it took the nice Novak Djokovic in 4 splendid units on the All England Club to disclaim Kyrgios tennis’s most sought-after prize.
“It’s great to be nominated for the Newcombe Medal,” Kyrgios mentioned after being shortlisted for the primary time since 2017.
In some other yr, although, he’d win the medal. Hands down.
Adding additional lustre to his golden season, Kyrgios additionally received the Australian Open doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis, made the ATP Finals in doubles and completed because the nation’s top-ranked singles and doubles participant.
“Wimbledon was a highlight this year. There were some really memorable matches,” he mentioned.
“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.”
Most years, his former flame Ajla Tomljanovic would even be celebrated because the Newcombe Medallist after additionally reaching two grand slam quarter-finals in a single season – like Kyrgios, in London and New York.
Tomljanovic, although, has rightfully been recognised as a nominee however will not be rewarded with the gong.
Up towards the strongest area but, nor will equally worthy nominees Alex de Minaur, Wimbledon doubles champions Matt Ebden and Max Purcell and Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup standout Storm Hunter (nee Sanders).
Barty’s victory over American Danielle Collins within the Melbourne Park closing to finish a uncommon seven-match grand slam marketing campaign with out dropping a set put paid to that.
The former world No.1 has already received the Newcombe Medal 4 instances – in 2017, 2018, 2019 and final yr after COVID-19 worn out Australian tennis’s night time of nights in 2020.
But she needed to share the the award with wheelchair wizard Dylan Alcott final yr and with de Minaur in 2018.
Fans will study on Monday night time if Barty once more has to share the highlight when the Newcombe Medal is introduced at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.
NEWCOMBE MEDALLISTS
2021: Ash Barty and Dylan Alcott
2020: No award
2019: Ash Barty
2018 Ash Barty and Alex de Minaur
2017: Ash Barty
2016: Dylan Alcott
2015: Sam Groth
2014: Nick Kyrgios
2013: Lleyton Hewitt
2012: Sam Stosur
2011: Sam Stosur
2010: Sam Stosur
