It’s been one of the most memorable years in Australian sporting history.
From individual triumphs to an entire nation coming together as one, 2022 has without a doubt brought out some incredible sporting highs.
To cap off the year we’ve listed five of the best that will undoubtedly live on in many Aussie’s memories for years to come.
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Ash Barty claims the Australian Open and retires
Perhaps the greatest individual achievement from any Australian sporting figure in the year 2022.
Tennis legend Ash Barty became the first Aussie to claim the Australian Open women’s singles championship in 44 years and the first woman to claim a title since 1978.
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She had already cemented her position as the nation’s best and most popular sporting figure when she claimed a Wimbledon title in 2021.
But she doubled down on that success on home soil in a fantastic run over two weeks in January at Rod Laver arena.
Defeating Danielle Collins in the final, Barty won the tournament without dropping a single set.
Remarkable.
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She then followed that up by shocking the sporting world by retiring from the sport in March at the age of 25 and still ranked at top spot in the world.
Legend status.
Buddy Franklin scores 1000th goal
Only five players have kicked 1000 goals in AFL/VFL history, and Buddy Franklin became one of them in 2022.
A truly iconic achievement in the modern era of the game, the scenes of Buddy slotting his 1000th through the sticks against Geelong will truly live on forever.
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Fans at the SCG screamed onto the pitch in numbers to celebrate Franklin’s outstanding achievement.
The moment showcased what the game of AFL and Buddy Franklin himself meant to fans of the sport.
It will probably never be replicated again, so let the moment sink in.
Cam Smith takes home the British Open
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Just like Ash Barty in tennis, Cameron Smith wrote his name into Australian sporting folklore at the 150th British Open.
It has been 29 years since an Aussie claimed The Open with Greg Norman claiming the Claret Jug in 1993.
It was a spectacular comeback from the mullet-wearing Aussie who closed with a record eight-under-par 64 to capture his maiden trophy.
He became just Australia’s fifth winner of the championship, etching his name in history.
And just a few months later he made headlines again by defecting to LIV Golf in a huge capture for the defective league.
Nick Kyrgios goes on an electric run to Wimbledon final
He is one of Australia’s most polarising athletes, but there’s no doubt he earned the respect of many a sporting fan with his Wimbledon final run.
While he certainly had the majority of the media scrutiny throughout his run, Kyrgios showcased just how truly gifted a sportsman he is.
Proving he was one of the best servers in the game, fans truly got behind the Australian.
He went up against Novak Djokovic in the final, becoming the first male Aussie since Mark Philippoussis in 2003 to make the ultimate game.
He was unsuccessful against the Serbian but proved he deserved to be considered one of the best in the sport.
The Socceroos unite a nation with World Cup run
No moment quite united Australia like the Socceroos’ World Cup run in Qatar.
Andrew Redmayne’s heroics in the penalty shootout against Peru to actually qualify for the 2022 edition could be a moment within itself.
And while Graham Arnold’s men certainly had their doubters coming into the tournament they blew expectations out of the water.
Securing Australia’s first win at a World Cup since 2010 with a win over Tunisia sparked celebrations across the country.
And then following it up with a win over Denmark to secure their progression to the round of 16 for the first time since 2006 saw the country get behind the team like nothing else.
Fans flocked to watch parties and stadiums across the country to watch the team take on Lionel Messi and Argentina in scenes that no other sporting moment could match.
And although the team were ultimately successful against Argentina, fans couldn’t help but applaud and praise their heroes.
Featured Image Credit: Frank Molter / Alamy. Xinhua / Alamy.Topics: Australia, Football, Tennis, Golf, Australia Afl, Aussie Rules Football, Nick Kyrgios
