By Tony Fairbairn
- Britwatch assesses the 2023 season of the top ten ATP Brits as Liam Broady and Jack Draper made landmark achievements as Cameron Norrie experienced disappointment this season.
LONDON, ENGLAND – The 2023 season has come to a close and it’s now time to assess which Brits reached their targets and which Brits had a disappointing season.
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The 2023 season has been largely disappointing for Brits although Jack Draper’s continued rise up the rankings earned the Brit a first ATP final. There was also another positive as Liam Broady earned a place into the world’s top 100 for the first time in his career, producing a season-best career. However for the most part there are lots of lessons for the ATP Brits to learn heading into 2024, so it’s now to assess who rose to the challenge and who faltered under pressure.
1) Cameron Norrie
Start of season ranking: 14
End of season ranking: 18
Cameron Norrie started the season consistently well as he reached three ATP finals in the first two months of the season including winning his first ATP 500 event, defeating Carlos Alcaraz on clay. However after that the Brit’s form declined with more and more of his opponents predicting Norrie’s patterns of play which resulted in more defeats for the Brit. It will be interesting to see if Norrie adapts his game in the off-season because if he fails to do so then his decline will get worse and his ranking will plummet to a new low next season.
Season highlights:
- Auckland: Final
- Buenos Aires: Final
- Rio De Janeiro: Champion
- Indian Wells: Quarter-Final
- Lyon: Semi-Final
- Queen’s Club: Quarter-Final
- Zhuhai: Quarter-Final
2) Dan Evans
Start of season ranking: 27
End of season ranking: 38
Despite a rejuvenated second half of the season, Dan Evans’ season was very poor with the Brit producing bad results at big events. The biggest bonus for Evans was a first ATP 500 title in Washington, which came out of nowhere leading to a more consistent second half of the season. Now Evans will look to recover from a hamstring injury in the off-season and produce more consistency in 2024 as he will look to produce much better results next season especially at Wimbledon.
Season highlights:
- Marrakech: Semi-Finals
- Barcelona: Semi-Finals
- Washington D.C.: Champion
3) Andy Murray
Start of season ranking: 49
End of season ranking: 42
In general, it was an improved season for Andy Murray with the Brit winning three Challenger titles including one on clay with his ranking improving heading into the 2024 season. However once again Murray’s failure to be efficient at Grand Slams cost him this season as he will wonder whether the performances being produced is satisfactory enough for him to continue playing at this level. As the Olympics approach, 2024 will certainly be a big year for Murray in terms of finding out how much longer he will want to play Tennis. One thing’s for certain the Brit won’t do things the easy way and will take the long route if necessary in order to return to where he belongs.
Season highlights:
- Doha: Final
- Aix-en-Provence Challenger: Champion
- Surbiton Challenger: Champion
- Nottingham Challenger: Champion
4) Jack Draper
Start of season ranking: 42
End of season ranking: 61
Jack Draper once again struggled with staying physically fit as he suffered two major injuries that derailed his progress in the first half of the season. However in the second half of the season, Draper showed why he is the most in-form player on the ATP tour as he reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career at the US Open. That was followed by the Brit reaching his first ATP tour final as he looks for consistency in fitness and form next year in order to make a massive breakthrough at the big events.
Season highlights:
- Adelaide 2: Semi-Final
- Lyon: Quarter-Final
- Winnipeg Challenger: Quarter-Final
- US Open: Fourth Round
- Orleans Challenger: Final
- Mouilleron le Captif Challenger: Quarter-Final
- Bergamo Challenger: Champion
- Sofia: Final
5) Liam Broady
Start of season ranking: 163
End of season ranking: 108
A career best season for Liam Broady in 2023 as he became a top 100 player for the first time in his career. This was a result of his improved consistency on the Challenger tour as well as securing his first top ten victory after beating Casper Ruud at Wimbledon. Now Broady will hope to be a regular on the ATP tour next season as he looks to continue to elevate his ranking to new heights in 2024.
Season highlights:
- Canberra Challenger: Qualified/Quarter-Final
- Vilnius Challenger: Champion
- Lugano Challenger: Quarter-Final
- Biel Challenger: Final
- Wimbledon: Third Round
- Winnipeg Challenger: Semi-Final
- Cassis Challenger: Semi-Final
- Saint-Tropez Challenger: Final
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6) Jan Choinski
Start of season ranking: 249
End of season ranking: 160
An incredible season for Jan Choinski saw the Brit achieve consistent results at ITF and Challenger level as well as winning his first main draw match at Wimbledon. Choinski also qualified for his first ATP 500 event in Hamburg but given his results on the Challenger circuit, the Brit would have been disappointed not to qualify for Roland Garros. Now Choinski looks to be a regular feature at Grand Slam qualifying as he looks to continue his rise and will see no reason why he can’t be a top 100 player next season.
Season highlights:
- ITF Nussloch: Semi-Final
- Cherbourg Challenger: Semi-Final
- ITF Mosquera: Quarter-Final
- Mexico City Challenger: Semi-Final
- San Luis Potosi Challenger: Semi-Final
- Wimbledon: Second Round
- Braunschweig Challenger: Quarter-Final
- Hamburg: Qualified/First Round
- Meerbusch Challenger: Champion
- Bad Waltersdorf Challenger: Quarter-Final
- Buenos Aires Challenger: Quarter-Final
7) Ryan Peniston
Start of season ranking: 167
End of season ranking: 180
Ryan Peniston started the season well but suffered a big dip in form during the season as he struggled to back up his stellar Grass court season in 2022. However after a moment to remember on Centre Court against Andy Murray, Peniston’s game elevated to new heights as he won the Challenger title in Canada. A late surge in momentum means Peniston heads into 2024 in healthy condition and will look to capitalise on his recent consistency.
Season highlights:
- Noumea Challenger: Semi-Final
- Tenerife 3 Challenger: Semi-Final
- Cary 1 Challenger: Quarter-Final
- Winnipeg Challenger: Champion
- Columbus 2 Challenger: Semi-Final
- Charleston Challenger: Semi-Final
- Drummondville Challenger: Quarter-Final
8) Billy Harris
Start of season ranking: 355
End of season ranking: 201
Billy Harris has had a sensational season which saw him rise 154 places in the rankings as he showed incredible consistency on both ITF and Challenger tour. The incredible season was completed as he qualified for the ATP event in Sofia, winning his first ATP main draw match. Now Harris looks to continue his surge up the ATP rankings in 2024 as he looks to earn more experience on the main tour.
Season highlights:
- ITF Vila Real De Santo Antonio: Quarter-Final
- Les Franqueses del Valles Challenger: Qualified/Final
- ITF Nottingham: Final
- ITF Roehampton: Quarter-Final
- Winnipeg Challenger: Quarter-Final
- Cassis Challenger: Quarter-Final
- Alicante Challenger: Qualified/Quarter-Final
- Malaga Challenger: Qualified/Quarter-Final
- Hamburg Challenger: Semi-Final
- Ortisei Challenger: Semi-Final
- Bergamo Challenger: Qualified/Quarter-Final
- Sofia: Qualified/Second Round
9) Arthur Fery
Start of season ranking: 473
End of season ranking: 271
A breakthrough season for Arthur Fery, who climbed 202 places after claiming two ITF titles as well as deep Challenger runs in France. Furthermore Fery got a glimpse of the spotlight on the big stage as he tested Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon. Now the Brit will explore the possibilities of turning professional next season as he looks to claim a place inside the world’s top 200.
Season highlights:
- ITF Malibu: Champion
- ITF Aldershot: Champion
- ITF Idanha-a-Nova: Quarter-Final
- ITF Pozzuoli: Final
- Orleans Challenger: Qualified/Quarter-Final
- Mouilleron le Captif Challenger: Qualified/Final
- Brest Challenger: Qualified/Quarter-Final
10) Charles Broom
Start of season ranking: 378
End of season ranking: 328
A consistent season on the ITF tour for Charles Broom means he finishes the season inside the top ten British players in the world. Broom will hope to win more titles next season as he looks to gain more experience and hopefully play some consistent challenger events ahead of Wimbledon next year.
Season highlights:
- ITF Sheffield: Final
- ITF Torello: Quarter-Final
- ITF Trento: Quarter-Final
- Ilkley Challenger: Qualified/Quarter-Final
- ITF Nottingham: Semi-Final
- ITF Roehampton: Semi-Final
- ITF Saint-Augustin: Champion
- ITF Edmonton: Semi-Final
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