From achieving No.1 rankings, to lifting the first titles of the year and career-high rankings, many of our Brits had a successful start to the year – so let’s take a closer look at who found themselves climbing up the rankings in January.

Hewett and Skupski return to world No.1

January was a month to remember for Britain’s Alfie Hewett. After former wheelchair world No.1 Shingo Kunieda announced his retirement from tennis towards the end of the month, Hewett stepped up to clinch the top spot in the rankings with three titles in Melbourne. With the world No.1 ranking to his name, the 25-year-old lifted the Super Series crown in Melbourne, before going on to have the tournament of his life at the Australian Open, where he picked up the men’s singles title for the first time in his career, and his fourth successive doubles title alongside partner Gordon Reid.

Neal Skupski also enjoyed a return to the joint doubles world No.1 spot in January. The Brit started the month off as joint world No.3 alongside doubles partner Wesley Koolhof, but a run to the semi-final of Adelaide International 2 and the Australian Open men’s doubles quarter-final both contributed to Skupski re-claiming his spot at the top of the rankings.

Career-highs for Draper, Burrage and Miyazaki

Jack Draper’s rise through the rankings has picked up where it left off last year, with the British No.3 reaching a career-high of world No.38 this month. Draper embarked on a run to the semi-final of Adelaide International 2 where he marginally missed out on a spot in the final after losing in three-sets to eventual winner Kwon Soon-woo.

January saw Jodie Burrage enjoy a journey to the final of W60 Canberra, where she was beaten to the title by fellow Brit, Katie Boulter after a close battle. Burrage also made it to the third round of qualifying at the Australia Open before bowing out to France’s Selena Janicijevic. Her accomplishments this month has now seen the Brit equal her all-time best of world No.126, as she looks to build on her form next month.

Lily Miyazaki also reached a career-high ranking of world No.169 after a successful month on the WTA and ITF tours. The Brit fought through qualifying to reach the second round of the W60 Canberra, before coming within touching distance of the Australian Open main draw. Miyazaki went out at the final hurdle with a three-set defeat against American CoCo Vandeweghe in the third round.

Brits on the rise after strong results on ITF Tour

After picking up their first title of 2023 at the W60 Sunderland event Ali Collins and Freya Christie have both achieved new career-high doubles rankings. The all-British pair sailed through to the final of the event, where they beat Magail Kempen and Eden Silva in straight sets to claim the title. Collins now sits at world No.127 in the doubles rankings, while Christie is just behind her ranked at No.135.

Sonay Kartal also reached a career-high ranking this month, after making it to the quarter-final of the W60 Sunderland singles event. The 21-year-old, who also competed at the W60 Canberra event and the first round of Australian Open qualifying, rose 11 places and now sits at world No.195, as she seeks to progress in her professional career on the WTA and ITF tours.

January also proved to be a memorable month for Dan Little and Silva who both broke into the ITF and WTA top 300 in singles, after finding consistency in their games.