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Apart from Serena Williams, the WTA Tour hasn't had consistent Grand Slam winners over the past two decades. Even though the likes of Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep have had impressive runs, they haven't been able to dominate the sport like the 'Big 3' in the men's game have.
It is for this reason that the WTA Tour sees a new champion at almost every Slam. In 2021 four different players won each of the four Slams. So it is reasonable to expect new winners in the years to come.
Here is a list of female players who can win a Slam in 2022.
5. Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old in 2018, beating Venus Williams on her Grand Slam debut. She finished the 2021 season as World No. 22, winning the 2021 Emilia-Romagna Open.
The 17-year-old impressed everyone with her performances on clay, reaching the quarterfinals at the 2021 French Open and the semifinals of the Italian Open. Gauff certainly has the potential to win a Major next year.
4. Leylah Fernandez
Leylah Fernandez is another rising star. The Canadian youngster won the hearts of fans with her incredible performances at the 2021 US Open. Although she finished runner-up to Emma Raducanu, Fernandez ousted three out of the top five seeds in New York.
Her exceptional form this year has helped her climb to 24th in the WTA rankings. She will hope to go one better next year and win a maiden Slam.
3. Ons Jabeur
Ons Jabeur wrote her name in the history books in this year when she became the first Arab woman to enter the top 10 in the WTA rankings. The Tunisian star reached the pre-quarters at Roland Garros and was one of the quarterfinalists at Wimbledon as well.
Unfortunately, Jabeur injured herself at the 2021 Kremlin Cup and couldn't feature at the WTA Finals. However, she managed to finish the year as the World No. 10 and even bagged a WTA title in Birmingham. Having one of the highest win percentages in 2021, she is undoubtedly one of the contenders to win a Slam this year.
2. Maria Sakkari
Another player who has had a phenomenal rise is Greece's Maria Sakkari. Reaching the semifinals at both the French Open and the US Open, she earned her place at the year-end WTA Finals in Guadalajara.
Sakkari's powerful and precise forehand provides her with an edge over her opponents. Besides this, her ability to cover the court quickly gives her a good chance of winning a Major next year.
1. Aryna Sabalenka
The winner of the 2021 Mutua Madrid Open, Aryna Sabalenka is a force to be reckoned with on the WTA tour. Currently the World No. 2, the Belarusian was a semi-finalist at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2021.
Keeping in mind the unpredictable nature of women's tennis, these five players have an excellent chance of lifting a Major in 2022. However, it won't be an easy task as the likes of Elina Svitolina, Paula Badosa and Anett Kontaveit will challenge them all the way.
