It’s now 2024, of course, and we’ve got a brand new tennis majors guide for the year ahead:
The tennis majors for 2023 been run and won, but of course there’s still plenty of the season to keep us interested. Here’s everything coming up, plus the LATEST RESULTS.
After Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic dominated down under, the world’s best have been touring the world, as always.
Novak Djokovic has now also ticked off an unimaginable feat, taking charge of the tennis majors race.
Here are the unmissable tennis tournaments of 2023 — both what’s happened and what’s to come.
Tennis majors and big tournaments, 2023
DONE | The Australian Open, January 16-29
Tennis for 2023 started in historic fashion, with Novak Djokovic drawing level with Rafael Nadal for most ever Grand Slam singles titles (22). He overcame a hamstring injury as he progressed through the tournament.
The women’s final was also a masterpiece, with Aryna Sabalenka and Elana Rybakina – two sluggers in the women’s division – going toe-to-toe with eye-opening power. Sabalenka overcame a one set deficit to close out her first major.
2023 RESULTS:
Men’s singles final: Novak Djokovic (4) def. Stefanos Tsitsipas (3) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5)
Women’s singles final: Aryna Sabalenka (5) def. Elana Rybakina (22) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
DONE | Indian Wells Masters, March 8-19
While not one of the tennis majors on tour, Indian Wells in sunny California is one of the most popular events in world tennis. Not to be missed, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have both won Indian Wells five times each on the men’s tour.
Unfortunately, Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios – both currently in the top 25 – withdrew; the pair were battling injuries. Djokovic was also unavailable due to the US’ ongoing vaccination laws.
American and 5th in the world Taylor Fritz was the defending champ, defeating Nadal in straight sets in 2022. World number one Iga Swiatek went on an absolute tear last year after hoisting the Indian Wells event, taking down Maria Sakkari.
2023 RESULTS:
Men’s singles final: Carlos Alcaraz (1) def. Daniil Medvedev (5) 6-3, 6-2
Women’s singles final: Elana Rybakina (10) def. Aryna Sabalenka (2) 7-6 (13-11), 6-4
DONE | Miami Open Masters, March 22-April 2
Staying within the United States for a second straight tournament, the tour rolls on to the Miami Open – another event that always brings out the big guns. 19-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz won in 2022, helping set up a maiden Grand Slam victory at the US Open in September.
So it’s fair to say this event could be an indicator for who’s the clubhouse leader when Flushing Meadows rolls around. On the women’s side last year, Swiatek claimed back-to-back titles in the US, Indian Wells and then Miami, beating Naomi Osaka in straight sets.
2023 RESULTS:
Men’s singles final: Daniil Medvedev (4) def. Jannik Sinner (10) 7-5, 6-3
Women’s singles final: Petra Kvitova (15) def. Elana Rybakina (10) 7-6 (16-14), 6-2
DONE | Monte-Carlo Masters, April 9-16
One of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world is back again in 2023 with the Monte-Carlo Masters starting in early April; an event just on the men’s tour.
It’s been running since 1897, with Stefanos Tsitsipas securing the title last year.
Through the 2000s, though, they may as well have changed the name of the tournament to the Nadal Masters, with the Spaniard winning it 11 out of 14 years between 2005 and 2018.
Men’s final: Holger Rune (6) def. Jannik Sinner (5) 1-6, 7-5, 7-5
DONE | Madrid Open, April 26-May 7
Contrary to the historic Monte-Carlo Masters, the Madrid Open has only been going since 2002. But it certainly still showcases tennis’ best and is now a crucial aspect of the build-up to Roland Garros.
Spaniards have dominated on the men’s side; Nadal has claimed honours a record five times.
‘New Nadal’ Carlos Alcaraz is the current champion there and will be a red-hot contender to win it again in 2023.
Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur won the women’s singles crown last year, beating Jessica Pegula in a three-set final.
Men’s singles final: Carlos Alcaraz (1) def. Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
Women’s singles final: Aryna Sabalenka (2) def. Iga Swiatek (1) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
DONE | GRAND SLAM: Roland Garros, May 28-June 11
Iga Swiatek has capped off another superb French Open campaign, successfully defending her crown in a thrilling and gripping three-setter against Karolina Muchova. It’s her third championship at Roland Garros in four years, showing Nadal-like dominance on clay, and now a fourth Grand Slam title, after winning the 2022 US Open.
This was the first major final where the Polish world number one has been pushed to a deciding set; so it’s also new ground for Swiatek. She dominated Coco Gauff in 2022, which was around the time she took over as world number one from Ash Barty, plus somewhat recently reached the 60-week milestone on top. In WTA ranking history, she joins elite company; literally only Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis have held the #1 ranking for 60+ weeks. She will, of course, retain world number one status after her successful title defence.
Unfortunately on the men’s side, Rafael Nadal withdrew before it all began, due to his lingering hip injury. It’s the first time in 19 years he missed Roland Garros. It is well document how dominant Nadal is on the clay surface at Roland Garros, winning 14 of his 22 Grand Slams in Paris.
And Nadal’s left the door open for Novak Djokovic to chase mind-boggling history. The Serb had only won the event twice in his illustrious career, but he did what he went to Paris to do, and in unfathomable fashion. Djokovic became the first player ever to have won all four Grand Slams at least three times.
Men’s singles final: Novak Djokovic (3) defeated Casper Ruud (3) 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 7-5
Women’s singles final: Iga Swiatek (1) defeated Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
DONE | GRAND SLAM: Wimbledon, July 3-16
Wimbledon’s the promised land in world tennis.
Tunisian fan favourite Ons Jabeur again fell short just one win shy of a maiden major tennis title, after losing to Kazakhstan young gun Elena Rybakina in the final in 2022. This time it was Czech 24-year-old Markéta Vondroušová.
And the incredible rise of Carlos Alcaraz continued, as he claimed his second grand slam singles title; his first Wimbledon crown. Novak Djokovic’s 34-match streak at the London tournament finally ended.
Men’s singles final: Carlos Alcaraz (1) defeated Novak Djokovic (2) 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
Women’s singles final: Markéta Vondroušová defeated Ons Jabeur (6) 6-4, 6-4
DONE | Canadian Open, August 7-13
Initially a competition between Canadian and American tennis players, the Canadian Open is now one of two Masters tournaments in North America that lead into the US Open.
Pablo Carreno Busta and Simona Halep won the 2022 iterations of the event. And the big three – Nadal, Federer and Djokovic – have had great success in this event too; collectively winning 11 of the past 17 men’s singles.
Men’s singles final: Jannik Sinner defeated Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-1
Women’s singles final: Jessica Pegula defeated Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-0
DONE | Cincinnati Masters, August 13-20
This year it will be hard to back up from the Canadian Open into the Cincinnati Masters, especially if you have a deep run through the finals; the final day in Canada is the opening day south in Ohio.
Croatian Borna Coric took out the men’s singles in 2022; Caroline Garcia defeated Petra Kvitová in the women’s final.
In the past its has been a stomping ground for Roger Federer, who has won the tournament a record seven times.
Men’s singles final: Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6, 7-6
Women’s singles final: Coco Gauff defeated Karolína Muchová 6-3, 6-4
DONE | GRAND SLAM: US Open, August 28-September 10
Like any Grand Slam event, the US Open gets ‘major’ coverage around the world and is up there as one of the most watched events in the States. Last year tournament was incredible, with Iga Swiatek continuing her brilliant run through 2022 and collecting more silverware, whilst Carlos Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title.
Neither were able to defend their titles, though, with Novak Djokovic putting an exclamation mark on an insane 2023, winning his 24th Grand Slam singles title, while Coco Gauff broke through for her first major on home soil.
Men’s singles final: Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
Women’s singles final: Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
Shanghai Masters, October 4-15
Rounding out our list of major tournaments to watch throughout 2023 is the Shanghai Masters, which is one of the youngest big events on the world tennis circuit.
Starting in 2009, the event has been a feeding frenzy for Djokovic and British tennis star Andy Murray, who have won four and three times respectively.
The event hasn’t run since October of 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but has a whopping prize winnings of over $10 million USD. So the big names will be back there for that for sure.
Other Only Sports guides worth checking out
We’re not just all over the tennis; the gold majors circuit is always gripping as well. And that’s not all.
Check them all out here or below.
