Cam Norrie, Harriet Dart, Joe Salisbury and Alfie Hewett headline 2023 LTA Player of the Year Awards winners

The four elite players won their respective category following a vote by tennis fans (LTA Advantage members), Colour Holders and Coaches based on their performances in the 2022 calendar year.

Women's Player of the Year - Harriet Dart

Dart was one of the standout stars for Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Glasgow, helping the Brits to a first semi-final since 1981.

She fought her way to victory over Spain to progress to the semi-finals, defeating the world No.13, and Indian Wells’ 2021 champion, Paula Badosa. In the semi-finals, Dart put in another dominant performance to stun Australia's Ajla Tomljanović adding a vital point on the board for her nation.

During the year she broke in to the top 100 for the very first time and clawed her way up the rankings to a new career high of 84.

Other Highlights:

• Came through qualifying to reach the fourth round of a WTA 1000 for the first time at Indian Wells
• Made her first two WTA quarter-finals at Rothesay Open Nottingham and Rothesay International Eastbourne
• Knocked out 10th seed Daria Kasatkina in US Open first round

Women’s Singles Player of the Year, Dart, said: “Last year was a huge milestone for me, breaking the top 100. Notably, representing Great Britain is always a big part of my year and being able to deliver some wins for our team meant so much.

“I want to thank the fans for their ongoing support, I hope to come back stronger for the remainder of 2023.”

Men's Player of the Year - Cam Norrie

Norrie reached a career-high ranking of world No.8 in September – one of four British players to reach the top 10 in the Open Era.

The summer saw a major breakthrough with Norrie reaching his first grand slam semi-final at Wimbledon. Tennis fans gave the British No.1 a standing ovation as he left Centre Court after his defeat by eventual champion Novak Djokovic. In a fabulous run he posted wins against the likes of Pablo Andujar, Tommy Paul and Steve Johnson and even forced his way back from 2-1 to win a five set thriller against David Goffin in the quarter-finals.

His Wimbledon success came on the back of winning the title at the Delray Beach Open. Norrie defeated three home favourites on route to the title, including Sebastian Korda, Tommy Paul and the second seed Reilly Opelka victory in the final to clinch his first of two ATP trophies in 2022.

Other Highlights:

• Won ATP 250 singles title in Lyon
• Finished runner-up in Los Cabos and Acapulco
• Represented Great Britain at the Davis Cup Finals group stages in Glasgow
• Competed at the Laver Cup in September

Norrie, Men’s Singles Player of the Year, said: “The last year was quite the run for me, getting into the semi-final at Wimbledon - after winning Delray Beach and Lyon – was a big achievement in my career and I’m looking forward to building on those performances as I continue into this year and beyond.

“Thanks to all the fans for their support.’’

Doubles Player of the Year - Joe Salisbury

Salisbury was a history maker in 2022 and enjoyed a number of firsts.

In April he rose to World No.1 – becoming only the third Britain to do so in the Open Era.

Along with his partner Rajeev Ram, they also became just the second team in the Open Era to successfully defend their US Open doubles title.

He capped the amazing year off by lifting the trophy in Turin becoming the first British doubles champion at the Nitto ATP Finals.

Other Highlights:

• Won two ATP Masters titles in Cincinnati and Monte Carlo
• Semi-finalist at the Australian Open and Wimbledon
• ITF 2022 World Champions men’s doubles team of the year
• Represented Great Britain at the Davis Cup Finals group stages in Glasgow

Doubles Player of the Year, Salisbury, said: “To be recognised by the British fans is a great feeling.

“Becoming World No.1, it’s surreal when you say it out loud. To have that No.1 next to your name in the rankings will be pretty crazy and it’s different compared to winning a Slam.

“Winning the Nitto ATP Finals and defending the US Open doubles title with Rajeev was all part of an amazing year. I will continue to work hard and push for more success in 2023.”

Wheelchair Player of the Year - Alfie Hewett

Hewett, and his partner Gordon Reid, continued to add their names to the chapters of the history books, winning their tenth consecutive major and third Australian Open and French Open doubles title together. Their victory in Paris saw them become the most successful men’s wheelchair doubles partnership in Roland Garros history.

Hewett also enjoyed a fabulous run at his home major as he reached his first Wimbledon men’s singles final.

In September he went on to win his third US Open singles title and 21st Grand Slam title overall, while also finishing runner-up in the men's doubles alongside Reid.

Other Highlights:

• Spent 21 weeks as world No.1 in the men’s singles rankings after two periods at the top of the rankings during the 2022 season.
• Partnered Reid to win the Australian Open and French Open men’s doubles titles as they extended their record of successive Grand Slam doubles titles to 10, beating the previous record of eight owned by Pam Shriver & Martina Navratilova
• Reached all four Grand Slam men’s doubles finals partnering Reid
• Won a total of five singles titles and four doubles titles during 2022

Hewett, Wheelchair Player of the Year, said: “This is an award that I am, of course, extremely grateful and honoured to receive. It’s a symbol of good work and making a difference, not only with the success on the court but also in trying to increase the audience for wheelchair tennis and making it more visible.

“Over last summer, with some of the tournament successes and working with the LTA we managed to do that as well. We need to keep that ball rolling and keep pushing, but it feels great to be recognised for good work and for hard work, as well, so I look forward to collecting the award.”

Alongside the four elite winners, three of Britain’s up and coming players were also recognised in the list and were picked by the LTA’s Performance Team.

Junior Girl's Player of the Year - Ella McDonald

McDonald picked up a number of titles around the globe. The teenager enjoyed a great year and climbed up the rankings. She finished 2022 as No.9 in ITF Juniors world rankings and had a rapid rise having started year ranked No.177.

Other Highlights

• Won three ITF Juniors singles titles (Glasgow J3, Santo Domingo J2, Durban J1)
• Won four ITF Juniors doubles titles (Florence J2 w/Evialina Laskevich, Durban J1 w/Anna Paradisi, Merida JA w/Mingge Xu, Bradenton J1 w/Isabelle Lacy)

Junior Boy's Player of the Year - Oliver Bonding

In 2022, Bonding won four singles tiles picking up trophies in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Aldershot and Oslo.

The 15-year-old also enjoyed success on the doubles circuit too and lifted hard court titles in Pretoria and Johannesburg as well.

Other Highlights:

• Won four ITF Junior titles, including J3 Pretoria, J3 Johannesburg, J4 Aldershot and J5 Oslo
• Lifted two ITF Junior doubles trophies, including J3 Pretoria (w/ Leo Matthysen) and J3 Johannesburg (w/ Gur Trakhtenberg)
• Came through qualifying to reach the quarter finals of the 16U National Championships, where he was defeated by eventual champion Henry Searle

Junior Wheelchair Player of the Year - Ben Bartram

Bartram was named Junior Player of the Year in last year’s LTA Tennis Awards and continued to prove himself to be a rising star in international wheelchair tennis throughout 2022, winning singles and doubles titles at both of the sport’s two premier junior events – the Cruyff Foundation Junior Masters in Tarbes, France and the inaugural US Open Junior Wheelchair Tennis Championships – the first junior wheelchair tennis event to be staged at a Grand Slam.

After reaching a career-best world No.1 junior ranking in January 2021, from April 2021 Bartram maintained his position at world No.2 for the rest of that season and throughout 2022.

After starting 2022 world ranked No.61 in men’s singles Bartram also improved his senior world ranking to a best of No.16, achieved in August 2022, an improvement that was primarily down to winning six successive senior international singles titles over the summer months, prior to his US Open junior titles.

A two-time World Team Cup silver medallist in junior competition, in 2022 he took promotion to the Great Britain men’s team in his stride when asked to strengthen the senior team, winning one of his two singles matches and two of his three doubles matches.

Alongside a busy training and competition schedule and his academic studies at Easton College in Norwich, Bartram is a tremendous ambassador for wheelchair tennis. He ended 2022 having qualified to make his debut at the ITF Wheelchair Doubles Masters, where he reached the men’s doubles semi-finals at the year-end championships.

Other Highlights: 

• Won his first senior men’s main draw singles title in Sardinia and went on to win six successive men’s singles titles over the summer, including his first at ITF 3 Series
• Named ITF Junior Wheelchair Tennis Player of the Year and ended 2022 having been awarded a wild card for the Australian Open, his first senior Grand Slam

The list for 2023, also includes awards for two senior players – both have shown a lifelong dedication and passion for the sport. Their awards were decided by Seniors Tennis GB.

Senior Male Player of the Year - Sebastian Jackson

Jackson has been involved with tennis semi-professionally for more than 20 years. He’s played with, and against, incredible champions such as Martina Hingis, Richard Krajicek, Fabrice Santoro and Britain’s Jeremy Bates. 

He’s also coached a number of our rising stars, including Liam Broady.

At 51, he became the oldest winner at the Cheshire Men’s County Championships 2022 winning the men’s doubles with Pedro Ocana in September. He topped a remarkable week as a runner-up in the singles.

Recently, he has battled illness, recovering from Hodgkin Lymphoma. He lives in Cheshire with his two children Toby and Holly and as well as playing tennis, he practices law and has also found time to qualify as a psychotherapist.

Other Highlights:

• Elite tennis player since the age of eight
• Trained and coached several world class players
• Gold Medallist at the World Mixed Doubles Championships, Bronze Singles medallist in the World 50s and a Singles title holder of three Nationals back home - indoors, clay and Wimbledon grass
• Clinched national doubles win at Aorangi Paul Salter

Senior Female Player of the Year - Michelle Oldham

Oldham's passion for tennis has been evident throughout her life. She competed in the US Open in 1993 in the doubles and has gone on to win multiple singles and doubles national titles in 35’s, 40’s, 45’s and now 50’s.

As well as playing she also coaches part-time at St George's Hill Lawn Tennis Club in Weybridge.

In addition to her enthusiasm and love for tennis, Michelle is a keen runner and a member of Guildford and Godalming Athletics Club. She has competed in five London marathons – with a personal best time of just 3 hours 16 minutes. 

Other Highlights:

• Played throughout juniors and was National Doubles Champion on several occasions
• Went to college in the US - attending University of Arizona (Tucson)
• Won the NCAA Doubles title in 1993
• Won the World 40’s Team Championships in 2014
• Won multiple singles & doubles national titles in 35’s, 40’s, 45’s and now 50’s
• Won the 50's World Championships in singles and also the mixed doubles (in partnership with Seb Jackson)

Finally, two padel players were also recognised for their achievements in 2022.

Padel Female Player of the Year - Tia Norton

Norton started playing padel in Birmingham back in 2015 at the age of just 12. Having played tennis throughout her childhood, she picked up the game quickly.

She was selected to play for the Great Britain junior team at World Championships in Mexico - where she reached the quarter-finals. It was then she decided to pursue padel as her primary sport.

It’s started an amazing journey that has taken her to British No.1. In 2021 she made her debut on the World Padel Tour and has since become the first British woman to win a match on the tour.

In 2022, Norton went on to win the first FIP Rise tournament in Great Britian, sealing her home title at the London Padel Open with Carla Fito Fernandez.

Other Highlights:

• As well as the FIP Rise London Open, Norton won the British National Tour event in Stratford with partner Carla Fito Fernández (world number 106)
• Norton competed across both the FIP Tour and the World Padel Tour (WPT), reaching the Previa rounds stage of WPT Challenger events in Mallorca (with Carla Fito Fernández) and Valencia (with world number 84, Monica Gomez Rivas) 
• Norton currently sits at 119 in the world
• Favourite tournament: World Padel Championships
• Biggest title career: FIP RISE London 2022

Padel Male Player of the Year - Christian Medina Murphy

Murphy enjoyed another brilliant season in 2022 having joined forces with fellow compatriot, Sam Jones, to become the first British pair to win a match at the FIP 525,000 Euro Italy Major.

As British No.1, he was also instrumental in helping the Brits qualify for the World Championships in Dubai, where they finished 14th in the final standings.

Christian was born in Kingston-upon-Thames, lives in Murcia and trains in Alicante. He is also a keen triathlete and has found time to also complete a degree in Sports Science.

Other Highlights:

• Reached the semi-finals of the FIP Rise London Open with partner Javier Navarro Perez
• Part of the British team that placed 14^thin the 2022 World Padel Championships in Dubai, which included a notable 6-1 6-1 victory with partner Sam Jones over Valentin Piastri and Juan Ignacio Artia in their group tie with 2021 quarter finalists Uruguay