2020 has been an interesting year at the best of times. Players from around the world have just started to re-join their tours after months on the sidelines. In a short 3 months there have been two Grand Slams played and two of those titles have been taken out by a player for the maiden Slam.
The Australian contingent at these events and tournaments surrounding them have seen lower numbers participate due to the risk of COVID-19 and lack of preparation also being a factor. Those who played showed promise at the hard-court events. However, did not impress as much on clay.
Looking toward a full season of competition, which Australians will make a move up the ranks and who will fall?
Ash Barty (Current No.1)
Unable to defend her French Open crown this year, the world number one will want to be dominating in 2021 and have another successful Australian Open campaign to set her season up.
However, there will be challenges next year as the rising success of a US star. Sofia Kenin looks like snatching the world number one ranking after an impressive 2020.
Barty also has a lot of points to defend making it difficult for her to hold them. This could see a decline in her ranking. Barty will get back to her 2019 form. However, we could see her fall to just outside the top 6.
Astra Sharma (Current No. 127)
Sharma has hovered around the top 100 for the last few seasons. The quiet achiever, Sharma has consistently improved as the years have gone on. The goal for Sharma would be to consistently remain in the top 100. Something that is very achievable for season 2021.
Sharma is a clean hitter of the ball who chases down everything and is always in for the fight. She has had some tough losses in 2020 with many sets being decided by tie breakers.
Daria Gavrilova (Current No. 445)
After an injury riddled 2019 and start to 2020. Dasha Gavrilova has finally been able to jump on court and she impressed. After a convincing win against the 24th seeded Yastremska, she fell to Canadian Eugenie Bouchard in the second round at Roland Garros, Gavrilovia showed fight and signs of her form that saw her rise to a career high 20 in the world at the end of 2017.
In 2021, Dasha will be back to her best and crack inside the top 50 by seasons end. This will start with a great run at her home event in Melbourne.
Alex De Minaur (Current No. 29)
De Minaur will be Australia’s number one male for many, many years to come. At 21, De Minuar has already shown glimpses of poise like a veteran. De Minaur’s ability to be relatively consistent on all surfaces allows him to take on the challenge of breaking into the top 10 in 2021.
Although a disappointing performance at the French Open, De Minaur was fantastic at the US reaching his first quarter final at a major, losing to eventual champion Dominic Thiem. De Minaur has a long career ahead of him, and 2021 will be the year he will make his biggest jump so far. Look for him to finish inside the top 10 at the end of 2021.
Nick Kyrgios (Current No. 43)
What will 2021 look like for Kyrgios? Who knows?
However, the 2020 refresh will do Kyrgios well leading into the Australian summer in 2021. Another deep run at the Australian Open followed by a consistent season will see Nick back where he belongs inside the top 20 by the end of 2021.
A dark horse at any event he plays in, especially the Grand Slams, the 25-year-old, will continue to show the world the talent he is.
He has the ability to match it with anyone in the world. The only thing Kyrgios needs to do is string seven matches together in a row to lift a Grand Slam trophy.
Alexei Popyrin (Current No. 109)
Another one of the young Aussies who like Sharma has been hovering around the top 100. For Popyrin, 2021 will be a building year. The 21-year-old will look to take advantage of the probable wildcards he will receive for the Australian summer, followed by an array of challenger tournaments which should provide enough ranking points to get him in the main draw of all the Slams next year.
Look for the Sydneysider to finish inside the top 60 with some good results at the Slams and a maiden Challenger trophy to his name.