by Randy Walker
The 2022 tennis season was historic and strange.
Rafael Nadal won the first 21 matches of the year and only lost one match at a major tournament.
Novak Djokovic also only lost one match at a major during the year, but, of course, only played in two due to not gaining admission to Australia and the United States due to not being vaccinated for COVID.
But it was Carlos Alcaraz who finished the year as the ATP No. 1, the youngest ever to earn the distinction at the age of 19 years, 214 days on 5 December 2022.
Here’s how the record of the three elite players compared during the year. What is your vote for the “Player of the Year” for this year?
Carlos Alcaraz
Year-End Ranking: No. 1
57–13 Record
5 titles (including the U.S. Open)
$7,627,613 Prize Money
Rafael Nadal
Year-End Ranking: No. 2
39–8 Record
xx Titles (including the Australian Open, Roland Garros)
$7,440,806
Novak Djokovic
Year End Ranking: No. 5
42–7 Record
5 Titles (including Wimbledon)
$9,934,582
