Today’s Open Forum Friday discussion is part of the 2008 Players to Watch Series, but in this post, you can also participate by answering the questions!
What improvements would you like to see in 2008?”
Before opening up the discussion in the comments below, I want to pass out my grades for the top 10 players in the world.
1. Justine Henin
Grade: A+
Ending the season as No. 1 after two Grand Slams, the season-ending Championships title, and only four losses more than consolidated Justine’s position at the top of the class.
And not just in women’s tennis. Roger Federer, who is a strong candidate for the GOAT distinction had over twice as many losses as Henin in 2007.
Homework: After 2007, what more can be asked of Henin? Wimbledon.
2. Svetlana Kuznetsova
Grade: B
She posted the best season of her career in 2007, but ended the year remembered more for her 1-5 record in finals, including another Grand Slam blowout to Henin.
She deserves big kudos for helping Russia win the Fed Cup, but the differences between players No. 1 and No. 2 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour could not be more stark.
Homework: Get a grip on your nerves, especially when facing another Russian. Win at least half the finals you reach.
3. Jelena Jankovic
Grade B+
I would have given Jelena an ‘A’ but for two reasons: Justine Henin and self-inflicted exhaustion. Jankovic’s fatalistic view of Henin is one of the reasons why she could not beat her in nine attempts.
Homework: The season ends in November, not September so pace yourself better next year. It is bad news for the season-ending Championships when the No. 3 player in the world bows out without one round robin win, barely able to keep her eyes open.
4. Ana Ivanovic
Grade: A
The heir apparent to Kim Clijsters’ fan popularity lived up to expectations in 2007. She did shake like a leaf at Roland Garros, but the point remains that Ivanovic was first of the rising youngsters to reach a major final.
Homework: A little more aggression, control, and consistency.
5. Maria Sharapova
Grade: B
A very late charge in November redeemed Sharapova’s forgettable season and for about thirty minutes, I thought she would get the better of Justine in the Championships final. Still, it was a remarkable run for a woman who couldn’t even serve straight for most of the year.
Homework: Play every tournament in 2008 as if it were the season-ending Championships.
6. Anna Chakvetadze
Grade: B+
Four new titles made quite a haul for Russia’s No. 3 player in 2007. Of the six Russians in the top 15, with the exception of Sharapova, Chakvetadze has the most potential.
Homework: Time to go for broke at Grand Slams and Tier I tournaments.
7. Serena Williams
Grade: A
For only the third time in her career, Serena Williams contested all four Grand Slams. That alone should prove that Serena is back, and ready to focus on her tennis. Racing across Europe after the US Open also deserves praise for her newfound dedication.
Homework: Don’t change the schedule for 2008. It has been nice to see you more than half-dozen times a year.
8. Venus Williams
Grade: A
Like Serena, Venus impressed me by playing a full schedule in 2007, plus her Wimbledon trophy was the icing on the cake. Fans are accustomed to seeing Serena stage dramatic title wins, but this time, Venus proved that her little sister may not have the final word on the subject.
Homework: Get healthy, win another Grand Slam in 2008, and design more tennis shoes. My Aunt loves the things.
9. Daniela Hantuchova
Grade: B+
It was a miraculous year for Hantuchova as she captured two titles, including the Tier I Pacific Life Open, rebounded into the top 10, and made the cut for Madrid. One of these would have boosted her career; all three bodes well for an exciting 2008.
Homework: Make the most of the American hard court circuit and try to reach the quarterfinals at a major (would be her first in five years).
10. Marion Bartoli
Grade: B+
Bartoli was a surprising, but welcome addition to the top 10 in 2007. Her unorthodox training methods, no nonsense personality, and individualistic attitude brought new life to a Tour that occasionally resembles robots, all quoting the same sound bytes.
Homework: By all means go for the title at Grand Slams if you can, but at least shoot for two more quarterfinal appearances.
That’s all for me, folks, but feel free to grade your favorites in the comments below! Have a blessed weekend and I’ll be back on Monday with the next segment from our Players to Watch series.
[...] Handing out the Grades How well did your favorite star do in 2007? OTB grades the players who aced the season in 2007 – and those who still have some homework to complete before heading to Australia. [...]
I’m tough when grading!
Elena Dementieva – C+
Would have been a D or D- had it not been for Stuttgart and Moscow. Injuries plagued her, she played terrible for much of the year, underperformed in the slams, but still ended up with a Tier I title AND beat Serena in a big big final. An improved serve in the second half of the year was the other highlight to an otherwise pathetic season.
Homework: Keep working on the serve, add some more strategy to your game like you did in your last few events of the year, save your best for the slams, and try to WIN one in 2008. At least secure an Olympic spot at minimum.
Venus Williams – B+
Wimbledon is the tournament to win and Venus did it for the fourth time. Pretty sweet if you ask me. Her excellent W/L from Wimbledon to the Asian circuit (28-4) was almost reminiscent of her at her best. Three freak losses aside, it was a great second half to her best season since 2002.
Homework: Try not to lose to some teenager in the first round of the French or Australian/aim to win one/both of those titles, and try to be fit and healthy for the entire year.
Lindsay Davenport – A+
She just played great tennis after coming back from pregnancy, went 13-1, and scored several good wins over good players. The most talented momma in the world is back!
Homework: Enjoy your time in 2008. Cherish every moment. And get Wimbledon.
I’m a big Bartoli fan.
I’m a big Bartoli fan. I agree with the B+. I was hoping she’d have a career best 2007 season but never thought she’d reach the Wimbledon final. But imagine if she had won it, how huge that would have been. I’d like to see her stay in the top 10, and you’re right, the best way to do that is to go deep in the big tournaments.
I loved seeing Tatiana Golovin challenge Henin at both Stuttgart and Zurich this fall. A- for the quality of her play and fearless approach even when facing the World #1. Homework: Stay healthy, reach the final of at least one major, and make the 2008 year end top 10.
Definitely Davenport A+. Seriously, coming back to play 5 weeks after giving birth? Most women can barely walk after that short amount of time.
Sharapova – B. She’s maintaining a high ranking, but her mental game is WAY off.
I will be watching Lindsay, I think her impressive return to the game after having a baby sends a clear message to women in the sport. A: You don’t have to be 20-25 to be successful on the court, and B: You can have a career and a family and figure out a way to balance it out so that it works for everyone.
As a longtime fan, I will be tuned into women’s tennis much more than I was during the majority of the year in 07 due to her return.
I wish her luck and I would really love to see her make a dent in the slams, even if she doesn not win one, she is such a fixture in the women’s game that is truly an anomalie. She is not coached by a parent, she had a relatively normal childhood by attending public school and then she made her mark on the game. I think that speaks volumes and is largely why she is so likable and “NORMAL” compared to so many other ego maniacs in the women’s game.
Good luck in 08 Lindsay!!
Maria Sharapova: This year was certainly not Sharapova’s best. Reaching big finals at the beginning and end of the year are positives. The good news is that she ended the year strongly and got some much needed confidence. Maybe she’ll carry that to win the 08 Aussie?
Serena Williams: While she didn’t dominate like she did in her heydays, Serena showed a level of commitment that I really admire. She wants to be a champion again. I didn’t expect her to beat Henin at the French, but the other two times they faced, Serena was not at her best- strained calf, thumb, etc. I hope they face off again in 08 and Serena gets her revenge.
Venus Williams: Just like in 05, Serena won the Australian and Venus was then motivated to match her sister and she won Wimbledon. I hope this dizziness isn’t a big issue next year. She seems to be in a really good place heading into the new year. A fifth Wimbledon?
Daniela Hantuchova: This was a good, solid season which led her to return to the top 10 and win two titles. Better results at the Slams will take her higher. Hopefully that can be achieved.
Nicole Vaidisova: She ended the year at 12 in the world, but take a look at her season. She did incredibly well for not having played the European clay season before the French or the North American summer hardcourt season before the U.S. Staying healthy will return her to the top ten. She also needs to win a Tier II or higher title, having never been past the semifinal stage at a Tier II event or better.
Amelie Mauresmo: This year was definitely disappointing. Early losses at three slams, not showing up at the U.S. due to lack of motivation, tough draws leading to early exits in fall events, etc. led to a drop out of the top 15, having before remained in the top 5 for years. Obviously it’d be a dream come true for her to win the French, but I’d settle for health, happiness, and a return to form, and hopefully meeting no more Czechs at the slams…
Lindsay Davenport: The comeback is going full force already. A 13-1 record for the year, after giving birth in June! The marveling won’t stop. I don’t know if she’s got another slam in her or not, but she definitely is a clean ball-striker who can match most anyone and will probably return to the top 10 quickly, depending on how many events she plays and how tough her draws are (facing Henin in the 1st round of the Aussie would be unfortunate).
I’ll mention her as she was one of my favorite players before she retired: Clijsters had a great first two months, then showed up twice more, bowing out quickly. Then she retired, married, and is now expecting. Even in 2008 is not an option for her, I’d love to see Kim back in 2009. She’s still so young, and if she plays sparingly, and has good health, then she can mount a successful comeback. Here’s hoping!
I am in agreement with your grades, except I may not have been as generous with Chakvetadze. Yes, there is a lot of potential there, and she had made some strides mentally. But in the last half of the season–mentally speaking–she took a big step backward.
Hey, how about doubles?
Cara Black and Liezel Huber: A+. What more can you get in a season, especially considering Liezel’s injuries? Shows that dedication to doubles and 1 partner really gets results. Even better since both of them are rather old for tennis pros.
Sugiyama and Srebotnik: A. Dito in age and dedication to a partner! And 3 slam finals? pretty awesome.
Chan and Chuang: A. Great year for the youngsters! They need to keep it up and perform against the top teams.
Nathalie Dechy: A+. Second USO title, great feat for someone without a fix partner. She should perform like that in singles OR find herself a doubles partner and rock.
And a few more in singles:
Szavay: A+. THE newcomer of the year. From 185 to 19… rocks. Sounds a little like Ana Ivanovic 2 years ago…
Bammer: B. Steady, but not sparkling. She needs to get a few more top 10 wins next year.
Bondarenko: dito.
Radwanska: A. Pretty good on track to become a top 10 player in 2 years. And just for beating Shrikie she deserves special recommendation!