Three different women–Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, and Venus Williams–have won the first three Grand Slams of the season. But who do you think is the best player so far of the year?
Tell us your opinion in today’s edition of Open Forum Friday!
I borrowed the idea for this week’s discussion from an ongoing debate of Ana Ivanovic’s achievements here. While Ivanovic is the No. 1 in the world and French Open champion, does that place her ahead of Maria or Venus? Or do you think another player worthy of the claim?
Feel free to share your opinion in the comments below. Everyone, have a great weekend!
Kim Clister as far as the one that are active none.
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Of the top 10 players listed Sharapova(2W, 0F, 2SF, 1GS)and Serena Williams(2W, 1F, 0SF, 0GS) have the best W/L record. Next best W/L belongs to Ivanovic(1W, 1F, 1SF, 1GS). Venus Williams(0W, 0F, 0SF, 1GS)really trails in W/L
If one wants to know how certain player performed during current year, the best indication is ATP or WTA race points aquired to date.
Nadal and Ana are leaders.
Numbers dont lie!
Numbers don’t tell the truth either. The point is which stats and criteria one chooses to use as an indicator of “best player.” You choose race points. I choose a combination of W/L ratio and results from GS and Tier I Using those Nadal – yes Ivanovic – no (BTW the fact that you state Nadal yet use “Ana” is interesting)
I took a look at the race numbers.
1 IVANOVIC, ANA SRB 2761.00 10
2 JANKOVIC, JELENA SRB 2645.00 12
3 WILLIAMS, SERENA USA 2465.00 8
4 SHARAPOVA, MARIA RUS 2455.00 8
5 DEMENTIEVA, ELENA RUS 2051.00 11
Calculating the average points per tournament played gives:
S. Williams 308
Sharapova 307
Ivanovic 276
Jankovic 220
Dementieva 186
so thanks for pointing me to even more stats to support my analysis.
I find it interesting that out of the four on the race standings, Jelena Jankovic comes in at No. 3, with a good lead over Maria Sharapova even though Maria won the Australian Open.
Sharapova has 3 titles, including Melbourne, while Jankovic just has one win at Miami.
What’s better – quantity or quality?
So Pov, if we mix your criteria for choosing the best player WITH performance in grandslams and ranking points , then Serena would be the best player of 2008?
I kinda agree with this. Apart from the French, Serena has been fairly consistent. Three tournament wins (two on clay), Quarters AO, 3rd round French, Finals Wimbledon.
All the top players have had their tough rounds at the grandslams, but Serena has been the most consistent and done the best outside of the big tournaments.
I still think that #1 spot holds weight for Ivanovic because it’s not easy to attain. But if you break the numbers down, she really isn’t the best.
Nice pov! =)
Will,
While I won’t argue with your take on the stats, I look at Serena Williams and Sharapova as being neck-and-neck. Sharapova took the first quarter, Serena Williams took the second quarter. As someone said in the other thread, it’s a little strange to be electing “best player of 2008″, with half the year remaining.
I also think that since Henin, #1 in the rankings has been easier to achieve. Maintaining that ranking is a completely different thing.
Anybady can mix stats and criterias as they
find relevant, but WTA rankings is something
official.Yes, Maria and Serena played two
tournaments less, but thats their choice!
\
One cannot be *1 by not playing.
Six weeks period from July 28-Aug.8 will
decide(Montreal-Olympics-US Open).Top four
ranked players are scheduled to compete.
Serena will play LA instead of Montreal.
It is going to be tough yourney with
exhausting intercontinental flights and
time changes.
Ana decided not to defend 2007 LA title
(275 points),but to play Montreal instead.
Jelena is defending LA semi and Toronto
final.
Maria cannot defend San Diego title(430 pts)
After US Open we may have a better picture.
MAY THE BEST LADY WIN!
Hopefully those TV Tyrants will allow us to
enjoy watching many hours of beautifull game
of tennis?
Hey everyone. I was just about to say Maria Sharapova, but just that quick, I forgot Ana Ivanovic made the finals of the Australian.
Won Major win and another final tops anything anyone else has done out there.
Maria Sharapova has been the best, so far.
Ivanovic is number one because Henin is gone. Jelena is number 2 in the world because she played so many tournaments.
Jankovic won Rome, lost Miami final to Serena.
Ivanovic , based on GS results (AO-F, FO-W, and
WIMB-2ND RD) is my #1…so far!
ana ivanovic. simple
For a number ofreasons, assessing any player solely on their GS results is tweaked.
Considering that 3 different women have won a the Grand Slams that have been played thus far, this is a tough question. I agree that assessing a player based on the GS rasults isnt the most ideal, but it is supposed to be when a player is at her best. You can’t be the “best” player and not win a GS.
Based on Ivanovic’s performances in Grand Slams this year (besides Wimbledon), I believe she has the potential to be considered the best player in the end of the year.
Sharapova — AO Winner, Doha (Tier I), Amelia Island (Tier II), one round of Fed Cup, lost at Wimbly and FO early
Serena — No GS, Final of Wimbly, Miami (Tier 1), Charleston (Tier 1), Bangalore (Tier II), no Fed Cup, lost before the semis at both AO and FO
Ivanovic — FO Champion, AO Finalist, Indian Wells (Tier 1), two rounds of Fed Cup, lost early at Wimbly.
I think people are correct that Pova takes the first quarter of the year and Serena takes the second quarter. But the most consistent performer over both quarters has to be Ivanovic.
But as much as I want to give it to Ana, I think the top performer has to be Serena for the YTD just based on quality of play. Ana hasn’t beaten Serena this year (though they haven’t played yet this year), lost to Maria in the AO final, and lost to Justine in Sydney. She’s won her titles by basically owning JJ and Kuznetsova. Her only marquee win this year was over Venus in straights at the AO, but she didn’t really play that well.
As for Maria, her domination of the first quarter was amazing. But ever since that loss to Kuznetsova at Indian Wells, she hasn’t been the same. And her drop off since then has been even more amazing.
So I give it to Serena. She’s had her blips, but overall, she’s been dominant when she decides to play. But she destroyed Justine in Miami, Maria in Charleston, and beat Venus in Bangalore. So she’s beaten the big dogs. She’s rightfully the mid-year #1.
Ok, the more I think about it the more I have to change my mind and go with AI. I agree with Cristina — Slams are where it’s at and if you can’t perform well at the Slams, how can you possibly be considered #1?
Good discussion here. To those who go with GS as the sole determinant – how do you see t that consistency = GS? And, would you support ranking points being given only at GS? And, does that mean you think that Venus Williams (QF, 3R, W) has played better overall throughout the year so far than Serena Williams(QF, 3R, F)?
I don’t believe GS should be the sole determinant, but it is a HUGE part of who could be considered the best. Every player’s dream is to win grand slams and be number 1 – they go hand in hand. To answer your pov’s question, since Venus won her 5th Wimbledon title, yes, that makes her a better player overall this year over Serena.
I see what you’re saying Pov. My stance is that GS performance isn’t determinative but it should be weighed heavier than other factors. No, points shouldn’t only be awarded for GS but they should weigh heavier (which they are).
Venus has performed slightly better than Serena in Slams, but her performance in non-Slams can’t even compare to Serena’s, so you have to give the nod to Serena.
My point was simply that if you compare Maria, AI, and Serena, I think it comes down to AI and Serena. Maria has had such a drop off in quality since the first quarter. And between AI and Serena, I think you have to give it to AI because of her Slam performance.
Outside of the Slams I think Serena gets the nod. AI won Indian Wells but it was a weak field (no Williamses and no Henin). And of course Serena also has Bangalore (Tier II but still a win over her sister) and Charleston (beating Maria on the way).
Don’t get me wrong, I think its a really close call. But I just don’t think you can argue against someone who has been the most consistent at the Grand Slams. If Serena had won Wimbledon, I think she would have been the undisputed #1.
i hav no idea on all these statistics and everything but when i hear best player so far, i immediately think of ivanovic. i didnbt think about statistics ivanovic jst jumped out if you know wat i mean
C Note,
Although we have different conclusions I like the way you approached the topic and the stats. You made it for me, and hopefully others, a good discussion. The only other thing I’ll say is that it seems like Ivanovic, more than any other player, certainly benefited by Henin’s retirement. Henin vs Ivanovic (4-0 including this year)
Hey guys, I had a look at the YTD performance of the three ‘nominees’ against other players who I think are heavyweights. I also added other interesting stats. You might wanna assess using the presented info.
__________
SERENA WILLIAMS
Won against:
Venus Williams, 6-3 3-6 7-6 (Bangalore SF)
Justine Henin, 6-2, 6-0 (Miami QF)
Svetlana Kuznetsova, 3-6 7-5 6-3 (Miami SF)
Jelena Jankovic, 6-1 5-7 6-3 (Miami F)
Maria Sharapova, 7-5 4-6 6-1 (Charleston QF)
Amelie Mauresmo, 7-6 6-1 (Wimbledon 3rd Round)
Lost to:
Jelena Jankovic, 3-6 4-6 (Aussie Open QF)
Venus Williams, 5-7 4-6 (Wimbledon F)
Titles: 3 ~ Tier I (2), Tier II (1)
Other notable performance: Wimbledon RUP
Longest winning streak: 17 matches
Win/Loss record: 31-4
Tournament record: Won 3 out of 8
__________
MARIA SHARAPOVA
Won against:
Lindsay Davenport, 6-1 6-3 (Aussie Open 2nd Round)
Elena Dementieva, 6-2 6-0 (Aussie Open 4th Round)
Justine Henin, 6-4 6-0 (Aussie Open QF)
Jelena Jankovic, 6-3 6-1 (Aussie Open SF)
Ana Ivanovic, 7-5 6-3 (Aussie Open F)
Lost to:
Svetlana Kuznetsova, 3-6 7-5 2-6 (Indian Wells SF)
Serena Williams, 5-7 6-4 1-6 (Charleston QF)
Titles: 3 ~ Grand Slam (1), Tier I (1), Tier II (1)
Longest winning streak: 18 matches
Win/Loss record: 31-4
Tournament record: Won 3 out of 8
__________
ANA IVANOVIC
Won against:
Venus Williams, 7-6 6-4 (Aussie Open QF)
Jelena Jankovic, 7-6 6-3 (Indian Wells SF)
Jelena Jankovic, 6-4 3-6 6-4 (French Open SF)
Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-4 6-3 (Indian Wells F)
Lost to:
Justine Henin, 2-6, 6-2 4-6 (Sydney SF)
Maria Sharapova, 5-7 3-6 (Aussie Open F)
Elena Dementieva, 7-5 3-6 3-6 (Dubai QF)
Lindsay Davenport, 4-6 2-6 (Miami 3rd Round)
Elena Dementieva, 2-6 5-7 (Berlin SF)
Titles: 2 ~ Grand Slam (1), Tier I (1)
Other notable performance: Aussie Open RUP
Longest winning streak: 9 matches
Losing streak: 2 matches
Win/Loss record: 29-7
Tournament record: Won 2 out of 10
__________
Web sources:
Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
Yahoo! Sports
Tennis Week
__________
In my opinion, similar to what pov said, Maria took the first few months then Serena for the next few months.
Now, it’s up to you people to decide…
Hey Pov,
I appreciated too the fact this discussion didn’t dissolve into a “you’re wrong, i’m right, shut up, etc.” discourse a la WTAworld.
I think that both AI and JJ benefited the most from Henin’s retirement, though AI has done better at taking advantage of it. But as a big AI fan, I’m really sad that she won’t be able to play Henin again (unless Justine realizes she was an idiot and comes back). She did take a set off her in Sydney, and with her improved movement and better understanding of how to use her power (instead of just bashing it wherever) it would have been interesting. Then again, I don’t think AI has reached the peak of her game yet. She’s got two or three more years to go.
Until Wimbly Ana was the best player no doubt about that. Even at this moment I consider her the best so far this year. But I don’t believe she will hold the No1 spot for much longer. Don’t think she can handle the pressure and expectations that brings this spot, and experience players like Serena will take full advantage off that.
Gave,
Thanks for those H2H stats.
You’re welcome, pov!