Looking back at the thrilling 2022 tennis season, it's wild to remember how the WTA Awards shortlists dropped, spotlighting six incredible women vying for Player of the Year. That year was pure fire, with Iga Świątek dominating like no other, but the competition was fierce—Ons Jabeur making history, Coco Gauff rising fast, Jessica Pegula breaking through, Caroline Garcia staging a comeback, and Elena Rybakina shocking everyone at Wimbledon. Can you believe it's been three years since then? 🎾 The drama unfolded with epic matches and record-breaking streaks, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Who could forget Świątek's insane winning run or Jabeur's trailblazing moments? But hey, was anyone really surprised by the nominations? Let's dive into each star's journey and relive the magic.

Iga Świątek: The Unstoppable Force

Talk about a dominant year! Świątek wasn't just playing tennis; she was rewriting the history books. As world number one, she bagged eight titles, including the French Open and US Open—making her only the fourth woman ever to snag the Sunshine Double. 🤯 Her 37-match winning streak smashed Venus Williams' record for the longest unbeaten run in the 21st century. Ending the year with a massive 6,000-point lead in the rankings? Pure insanity. But how did she keep this up? Maybe it was her relentless focus or those clutch performances under pressure. Here's a snapshot of her key stats:

Ons Jabeur: The Trailblazer

Jabeur's 2022 season was all about breaking barriers. Rising to world number two, she became the highest-ranked African and Arab player in tennis history—ever! 🏆 Not bad for a year where she won two WTA titles and reached two Grand Slam finals. At Wimbledon, she was the first Arab or North African woman to make a major semi-final, then pushed to the final only to lose to Rybakina. Then came the US Open final, where Świątek denied her again. Ouch, right? But her victory in Madrid was iconic, proving she's a force on any surface. Why isn't she a household name yet? Her resilience shone through every setback.

Coco Gauff: The Rising Star

At just 18, Gauff was already shaking up the tour. By June 2022, she hit world number four in singles and topped the doubles rankings—talk about a double threat! 💥 Her first Grand Slam final came at Roland-Garros, though Świątek proved too strong. But in doubles? She and Jessica Pegula were unstoppable, winning the Qatar Open, National Bank Open, and San Diego Open. Imagine the pressure on her young shoulders; yet, she handled it with flair. Is she the future of American tennis? Her reactions in matches, like that intense face-off in San Jose, said it all.

Jessica Pegula: The Breakthrough Queen

Pegula's journey to world number three was a slow burn that exploded in 2022. While she killed it in doubles with Gauff—reaching the French Open final—her singles breakthrough came late. Winning her first title at the Guadalajara Open by beating top players like Rybakina and Sakkari? That's clutch. 🎯 Her pose with the trophy screamed triumph after years of grinding. What took her so long to shine? Maybe it was finding her rhythm, but once she did, she owned it.

Caroline Garcia: The Comeback Kid

Garcia's story was pure inspiration—bouncing back from outside the top 70 in 2021 to world number four. She won three titles, including the Western and Southern Open, and capped it off by stunning everyone at the WTA Finals in Fort Worth. Plus, she grabbed the French Open doubles crown as a wildcard. 🤩 Her celebration with the Billie Jean King Trophy showed pure joy. How did she turn it around so fast? Grit and maybe a bit of that French flair.

Elena Rybakina: The Wimbledon Surprise

Rybakina's 2022 highlight? Becoming the first Kazakhstani to win a major at Wimbledon. 🏆 At 23, she bulldozed through the draw, dropping just two sets and beating Jabeur in the final to become the youngest champ since 2011. Her calm under pressure was unreal—did anyone see that coming? Her trophy lift at the All England Club was iconic, cementing her as a dark horse.

Reflecting on all this, the 2022 season was a rollercoaster of talent and drama. Świątek took the crown, but each nominee brought something unique—Jabeur's historic strides, Gauff's youth energy, Pegula's persistence, Garcia's resilience, and Rybakina's shock win. Fast forward to 2025, and we're still buzzing about it. But here's a thought: If you could rewind time, who would you argue deserved the Player of the Year title the most, and why?