Comments on: OFF: Should Players Reach No. 1 Without Winning A Grand Slam?

By: pov

pov — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:15:24 +0000

I agree that the ranking system can certainly be improved. At the same time, the lack of a GS doesn’t really bother me and I can’t think of a viable system that would make that a must. What I’d like to see is more weight on the mandatory events and fewer other tournaments allowed.

By: Van

Van — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:35:26 +0000

Hi all! She’s at number 1, and I kind of have mixed feelings about it: On one, she gets out there and is always playing so it can be said that she’s worked hard to reach that spot. On the other, she’s never made a Slam final! And a player shouldn’t get to number 1 without having accomplished that!

Years ago, on the men’s side, Marcelo Rios got to the top spot without having won a Slam, but he did make the finals of the Aussie before that, which pushed him along.

I think the WTA’s ranking system definitely needs an overhaul. It’s weird: Look how well Dinara Safina’s been doing and she can only inch up a couple of spots.

By: Gave

Gave — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:32:29 +0000

Well for me, it isn’t surprising that JJ is the No. 1 in the race list, after all, she’s been playing double the number of tournaments than any other top players - that made her gain so many points in every tournament she participated in. But in my opinion, she wasn’t that impressive.

About Safina, she seems to be having another hot streak again. But still, kudos to Maria for playing the most impressive tennis during the early months of the season, then Serena for these past few months.

And it seems like the final GS of the year will be pretty wide open for everyone considering that Maria can’t play and the Williamses are both injured =(

By: KH

KH — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:38:53 +0000

On one hand, I’m not to worried about JJ becoming no.1. Maybe it’ll motivate the other girls that someone who’s never been to a final of a slam is at the top while there are five girls in the top eight who have won slams and another who’s been to two finals.

Ivanovic can’t seem to put together two good matches since she won the French. Sharapova’s probably out for the rest of the year. Kuznetsova’s streaky. The Williams sisters only play four tournaments a year.

For my money, Safina should be number one. I think she’s more than capable of beating any player at this point. She’s the most consistent as far as results. She has at least been to a final of a slam. She’s playing much better than any of the girls ahead of her. Sad that’s she’s no. 8. So, I’m starting a campaign, SAFINA FOR NUMBER 1!

By: Lana

Lana — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 13:09:23 +0000

I’m glad to hear that! Thanks for the info KC.

By: KC

KC — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:36:39 +0000

Apparently Jankovic will become No. 1 next week …

http://www.tennis.com/news/ticker.aspx

By: KC

KC — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:35:27 +0000

Apprently Jankovic will become number 1 next week …

http://www.tennis.com/news/ticker.aspx

By: Lana

Lana — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:25:50 +0000

But Jelena is first in the Race list, that means something, doesn’t it??
I think that she deserves to be No. 1 and I’m really sorry she lost yesterday. Speaking about Ana, I don’t think winning Grand Slam is enough to be No. 1, it is something great and for respect, but I think all other results and constantly good game should count and not crashing out in second or third round as Ana did in Miami, Rome, Wimbledon and now Montreal! JJ had five semis this year (Australian Open, Dubai, Indian Wells, Roland Garros, Los Angeles). And as I said JJ is first in the Race list…and I checked now, for example, last year in April she was also first in Race list, and was with Henin first to qualify for season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships.
My opinion is that she deserves this top spot and I hope she’ll become No. 1 very soon!

By: Gave

Gave — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:06:31 +0000

I think it isn’t proper for someone who hasn’t won or even reach a GS final yet be heralded as the top-ranked player. Like what you said, this is a case of quantity versus quality. My proposition is, what if the WTA adopts a weighted average style of computing for the points. Say, if a player gained the following points in 4 tourneys she participated in - 110, 430, 60, 25 - that would give a ranking points equal to 156.25 (computed by dividing the total points by the no. of tourneys). In this way, cases like JJ can be avoided.

By: milanolino

milanolino — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:42:32 +0000

Since there is so much weight placed to Gran Slams why play more tournaments if you are top player.

Williamses and Sharapova and others declined to play Rogers in recent years, because of Flashing Medows.

This is all wrong!