F1 arrives in Mexico and the WTA finals are set to begin

Mexico GP

Despite the F1 season being wrapped up in a bow for Max Verstappen and Red Bull, having already claimed the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, there is still plenty of action set to unfold this weekend as the racers head to Mexico City to battle it out on the track. Based on history and current form it seems like there will be no stopping Max Verstappen in Mexico who, alongside Jim Clark, is the joint-most successful driver on this course, including claiming victory here last year in 2021. With 7 wins out of his last 8 races, Verstappen is really showing himself as head and shoulders ahead of the competition this year. However, F1 can be an unpredictable sport and the support in the stadium will be for Verstappen’s fellow Red Bull driver, Sergio Pérez, who will be eager for a win in front of his home crowd. Perez was the last driver to finish top of the podium apart from Verstappen this season after delivering a flawless drive at the Singapore GP where Verstappen only finished 7th. Verstappen is only human after all! If Perez was going to repeat this result again then back on home soil would be a great place to do it.

Meanwhile, Mercedes has found themselves constantly playing catch up after a disappointing start to the season. Despite making steady progress to improve their car’s issues, Hamilton is yet to claim a full victory this year. After coming second in the United States GP just a few days ago, Hamilton will be hoping his time is finally around the corner. No one would have expected Hamilton to fail to win a single race before the start of this season. Surely a legend like Hamilton must claim a win at some point?

2022 WTA Finals

After nearly 10 months of tournaments around the globe, the eight singles players who will compete in this year’s Women’s Tennis Association Finals have been decided. From 31st October to 7th November the highest ranked singles players and doubles teams from the WTA tour will compete in this season-ending event to claim the Champions title in Fort Worth, Texas.

The singles and doubles tournaments take place in a round robin format. The eight players/teams are split into two groups of four with the top two of each group then advancing to the knockout semi-finals and so on.

It is no surprise to see Iga Świątek competing in these finals. At the mere age of 21, she has burst onto the scene and just had one of the most incredible seasons in history. After winning her second Roland Garros title, her first US Open title and going through a 37-match winning streak this season, she is firmly in place as the world No.1 ranking. She is in fact the first player to finish the regular season with more than 10,000 ranking points since Serena Williams in 2015. Świątek is a strong favourite in this competition.

The World No.2 this season is Ons Jabeur who you may recognise from reaching the Wimbledon final this year. She comes from the small North African country of Tunisia, a place that has never produced a Top 50 player on the WTA tour before. Ons Jabeaur is a trailblazer who has changed this narrative.

A third player to look out for at this year's WTA finals is Coco Gauff. Iga Świątek is not the only youngster on the scene. At age 18, Coco Gauff from the United States is the youngest WTA Finals qualifier since 2005. She reached her first Grand Slam singles final at the most recent French Open, leading her to break into the Top 10 for the first time this year. Coco Gauff will also compete in the double’s competition with her fellow American partner Jessica Pegula. Jessica Pegulas is another competitor in the singles competition, making them both the first Americans to play at the WTA Finals in singles and doubles since Serena and Venus Williams in 2009.

Make sure to tune in next week to see who will be crowned the season Champion!