The opening week of the new season was full of excitement! Poland finally clinched the United Cup, and both Sabalenka and Medvedev shared their 22nd titles!

New champions have emerged once again! After a week of intense competition, champions in five events have all been decided, bringing joy to some and disappointment to others!

On the women's side, Sabalenka’s claim to her 22nd individual title was never in doubt, while our player Wang Xinyu, although runner-up again, has made significant progress compared to her six consecutive losses at the end of last season—a truly commendable achievement.

On the men's side, Medvedev also gave his all, securing his own 22nd title in Brisbane. Interestingly, this was also his first victory at this particular tournament.

Why was his performance lackluster last season? Because Medvedev missed the entire preseason training to accompany his wife who was about to give birth. Last year, Medvedev welcomed a baby girl, and in his post-match speech, he dedicated this championship to her as a New Year gift.

This shows that once things start clicking, titles may come one after another. Medvedev ended his title drought by winning in Almaty at the end of last season. Unexpectedly, going from 21 to 22 titles happened so quickly. Winning in the first week of the new season and soon turning 30 next month, with three Australian Open runner-up finishes under his belt, can he now prove himself again as a contender in Grand Slams?

Another player who has found his rhythm is Bublik. Last season he claimed four titles, and in the first week of this season, he added another trophy. With this win, he will break into the top ten in the world rankings for the first time in the coming week. For the “madman” who was once disinterested in tennis just a few years ago, this current success is truly unimaginable!

While some are on a roll, others struggle. Compared to Bublik’s five consecutive final wins, Musetti has suffered seven straight final defeats. Early in his career, he smoothly won two tour finals in Hamburg and Naples, even defeating strong opponent Alcaraz in a final.

However, in recent years, especially in finals held in China, his winning rate has been dismal. Including the past two years’ Chengdu tournaments, he has finished runner-up in three consecutive Chinese events. Although he recently cracked the world top five, it was a bittersweet feeling similar to last season’s Athens event, where he only got a lucky spot in the year-end finals due to Djokovic’s withdrawal. When will his title drought finally end?

The team event finale was fought until the very last moment. After losing in the finals twice before, Poland finally broke the curse this time, largely thanks to their doubles strength, overcoming the setbacks caused by Swiatek’s consecutive semifinal and final losses. Although Switzerland was defeated, Bencic repeatedly delivered winning performances, and Wawrinka showed enduring strength, deserving much more respect.

With such an exciting first week of the new season, we have every reason to expect even more dazzling chapters ahead!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Luo Cheng Qiye)