Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Best and Worst of WTA Tour in 2005
The WTA Tour is gearing up for the 2006 season, which will launch with two tournaments in the Australasia zone (yes, there is such a word). But there are still few days left in 2005. Before we focus all our attention toward the new year, Martina Hingis' come-back performance and soon-to-be-played Australian Open, let's take one final look at 2005 season, especially considering the ATP version published on Sports Central last month turned out to be a hit.
Player of the Year: Kim Clijsters
I promise everyone that this is not an emotional pick. Yes, Kim is the nicest character on the tour, and yes, she is very likeable and never obnoxious. I am sure that some fans of other players will immediately resort to the classic, "Oh, he picked her because she is nice" argument. No, folks, Kim Clijsters is the Player of the Year simply because she deserves it.
In a decision that warranted much more scrutiny and analysis than the men's version (in fact, did the men's version need any at all?), one can't help but go with Kim Clijsters over Venus Williams and/or Lindsay Davenport. Kim Clijsters' nine titles and 67 tour wins this year is impressive considering she only began playing in March. She was the only player to win more than half of the tournaments that she has participated. She has numerous wins over top-10 players and won the U.S. Open title.
Davenport was consistent throughout the year, and Venus' comeback win in Wimbledon finals was dramatic. However, Clijsters' 2005 comeback from long-term injuries, coupled with her dominance in nine months of action gives her a slight, yet firm edge.
Best Match of the Year: Serena def. Maria
You could make a good case for the Wimbledon finals played between Lindsay Davenport and Venus Williams. Both matches had amazing turn of events, both matches involved players who were down and out, but found a way to get back into the match, and both matches went into extended third sets.
However, the Serena Williams/Maria Sharapova Australian Open semifinal clash (2-6, 7-5, 8-6) had an extra quality that the Wimbledon final lacked: electricity! You could tell both Sharapova and Serena left everything they have had on the court. Nor did either of them choose to hide exactly how they feel as the match got closer to the climactic finale. They showed their human side with fist pumps, screams of agony, and yells of anger, almost inviting the fans to get involved into the match with all their hearts.
And the fans did! It was a great atmosphere, an unforgettable match!
"Enough, Already!" Award: Criticizing Davenport
Do we have to do this every year that Lindsay Davenport finishes the year ranked number one? Why should Lindsay get slammed every year for being consistent? So what if she did not win a Slam? Also, for those of you who make a habit of bashing the WTA ranking system, she would have finished the year number one even if the system was identical to ATP Entry Ranking or the ATP Champions Race Ranking.
She is successful in every Slam tournament. She won six titles — she wins several titles consistently every year. She was injured less than others, probably because she takes better care of herself, thus behaving in a professional, responsible manner. Here is an idea: how about criticizing others because they can't get their act together as efficiently as Lindsay does?
"Confirmed Fluke" Award: Svetlana Kuznetsova
She made it to the records book by becoming the first defending champion in U.S. Open history to lose in the first round of the tournament, in the following year. But for most tennis followers, it was not that big a surprise. As a matter of fact, it was much less of a surprise for her to lose in the first round this year than it was for her to win the title in 2004. Let's go a step further and call the 2004 title what it is: a fluke.
As much as it was a fluke, Svetlana deserves to cherish that title as long as she lives. Nobody can take that away from her. Nobody, including herself, can bring her another one, either.
"How Did She Do That?" Award: Henin-Hardenne's No. 6 Ranking
Get this: Justine Henin-Hardenne played only nine tournaments in 2005. She was the only player in the top 60 WTA rankings to have played single-digit number of tournaments. She won four titles, including Roland Garros. But she was a no-show at the Australian Open, lost in the first round at Wimbledon, and did not reach the quarters at the U.S. Open.
Serena played only one more tournament than Justine, also won a Slam title, and she still could not crack the top 10. I don't know how she did it, but I want to be like Justine!
"Glad it's Over" Award: Venus' Wimbledon Celebration
Throughout the match, you rooted for Venus because she has been in Serena's shadow for so long, and has not won a Slam since 2001. You were glad that she won at the end. For about 60 seconds following the handshake, you shared her joy and ecstatic reaction as she jumped around. The next three minutes all the jumping up and down along with buckling up and down holding the chest started getting old.
Once the trophy presentation started, and she still kept it up, you have had enough. By that time, it was neither cute, nor necessary. The loser of the match was still standing next to her, and tennis players were still expected to have some class. By the time broadcast ended, you were glad it was over.
Journeywoman of the Year: Jill Craybas, USA
Craybas played in 30 tournaments this year. In other words, she averaged around 1.5 tournaments per every two weeks. In other words, if there was such a disease, she would be borderline obsessive compulsive about playing tennis matches.
What does she have to show for all that? One semifinal, three quarterfinals, and a ton of first- and second-round exits. The upside: she did reach a top-50 ranking. Was it by performance or by default? That is the question!
Rising Star Award of the Year: Ana Ivanovic
Ivanovic turned pro only two years ago, cracked the top 100 only a year ago, and played Slam tournaments for the first time this year. With numerous quality wins that includes victories over Amelie Mauresmo, Nathalie Dechy, and Nadia Petrova, and her first tournament title of her career, 2005 saw this 18-year-old star from Serbia finish the year ranked No. 16 in the world.
In her first Slam experiences, she did not perform too badly, either, reaching the quarters in Paris and never losing first round in any of them.
That's the wrap for 2005. As usual, let me know your thoughts.
Have a great holiday season, everyone, and see you in 2006!