Nick Kyrgios ends memorable 2022 as highest ranked Aussie

A resurrected Nick Kyrgios will be Australia’s top-ranked player at the end of the 2022 season. The 27-year-ranking old’s fell to world No.137 in February, his lowest position in eight years, but he recovered to world No.20 in September. Kyrgios finishes the season ranked 22nd in the world. This puts him 80 points ahead of Alex de Minaur, ending his four-year reign as Australia’s No. 1 at the end of the season. This year’s biggest mover in the Australian top 15 was Omar Jasika. The 25-year-old, who was unranked at the start of the season, has risen to world No.253. Jasika compiled a 65-23 record and four ITF titles.

Li Tu has also made significant progress, rising more than 300 places in the last year. The 26-year-old, who was inspired to return from retirement during the COVID pandemic, reached a career-high world ranking of No.190 in October. Chris O’Connell finishes his season at a career high of world No.79, while Thanasi Kokkinakis achieves his highest year-end ranking since 2015. Jason Kubler nearly halved his ranking in the last year as well, helping him achieve his best year-end ranking since 2018.

Nick Kyrgios also finishes the season as Australia’s top-ranked doubles player, at world No.13. The 27-year-old, who won the Australian Open alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis, rose from world No.262 in January to world No.11 earlier this month. Kokkinakis’ rise was even more impressive, as he rose from outside the top 400 to a career-high world No.15.

Wimbledon 2022 champions Matt Ebden and Max Purcell both finished the year with their best-ever year-end results. These efforts bring an end to John Peers’ seven-year reign as Australia’s year-end No.1. Peers, 34, fell to world No.37, his lowest year-end ranking since 2014. Li Tu was the year’s biggest mover, climbing 777 places to enter the world’s top 200. During the season, the 26-year-old won two ITF titles.