Comments on: OFF: Who is Likely to Emerge as the WTA Tour’s Next Dominant Player? http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/ Women's Professional Tennis News, Results, and Commentary Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:49:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: TLT http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27036 TLT Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:30:33 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27036 Would have to say Safina, Ivanovic or Sharapova. My money is on Dinara, she just needs to get her head screwed on properly. Would have to say Safina, Ivanovic or Sharapova.
My money is on Dinara, she just needs to get her head screwed on properly.

]]> By: Diane http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27024 Diane Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:10:34 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27024 William, I did not use sarcasm with you and I never would. It is one of my personal rules to never use sarcasm with anyone. Whatever seemed like sarcasm to you, I assure you was not. I am not interested in hurting or cutting people. My complain was not that you disagreed with me--people disagree with me all the time--but that your rhetorical rules kept changing. William, I did not use sarcasm with you and I never would. It is one of my personal rules to never use sarcasm with anyone. Whatever seemed like sarcasm to you, I assure you was not. I am not interested in hurting or cutting people.

My complain was not that you disagreed with me–people disagree with me all the time–but that your rhetorical rules kept changing.

]]> By: Steve Pouliot http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27015 Steve Pouliot Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:47:21 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27015 Women's tennis has never been more entertainng than now. I LOVE todays game. Knowing that the winner of the open will be a Serbian, a William's sister, A Russian or one of the other very exciting and talented women is awesome. You use to look at the field and limit down to a few people with a chance - andnot waste your time watching the 1st week. I am so looking forward to the first couple rounds knowing there will be excellent tennis with a couple upsets. Women’s tennis has never been more entertainng than now. I LOVE todays game. Knowing that the winner of the open will be a Serbian, a William’s sister, A Russian or one of the other very exciting and talented women is awesome. You use to look at the field and limit down to a few people with a chance - andnot waste your time watching the 1st week. I am so looking forward to the first couple rounds knowing there will be excellent tennis with a couple upsets.

]]> By: Aaress Lawless http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27004 Aaress Lawless Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:13:33 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27004 Hi Will.I.AM, I'm sorry to see you go and wish that you would reconsider. No one was attempting to "villanize" or gang up on you. Actually, if you look back at the comments, you were the first person to turn this personal by calling Diane's opinion "bogus." You do bring a lot to the table with your opinion, but like I said, this is an online discussion, so disagreement and differing opinions is just a natural part of the territory. Thanks for your support of On the Baseline! I do disagree with the thought that tennis is stagnant and overall that this has been a disappointing and bad year. True, we might not have a dominant player, but in a way, that is what makes it so exciting. Justine Henin was dominant, but honestly, she didn't really force a change in the women's game, not like the power-hitters of the last decade. Dominance will come in its own good time, but in the meanwhile, I've enjoyed watching the next generation rise to the occasion. The status quo has been shaken up--and out of all the top players, the only one that I believe has performed even close to mediocre this season is Jankovic. Take a look at these stats: Ana Ivanovic - French Open / No. 1 ranking Serena Williams - 2 Tier I titles / Wimbledon Final / Olympic Doubles Gold / Back to No. 3 in the world Svetlana Kuznetsova - 3 Finals / Steady member of the Top 5 Maria Sharapova - Australian Open / No. 1 ranking Dinara Safina - French Open Final / 5 singles and doubles titles Elena Dementieva - Olympic Gold medal / Dubai Title Venus Williams - Wimbledon / Olympic Doubles Gold Medal These results are amazing and not even close to being mediocre. How are you looking at the glass? Is it half empty or half full? Hi Will.I.AM,

I’m sorry to see you go and wish that you would reconsider. No one was attempting to “villanize” or gang up on you. Actually, if you look back at the comments, you were the first person to turn this personal by calling Diane’s opinion “bogus.”

You do bring a lot to the table with your opinion, but like I said, this is an online discussion, so disagreement and differing opinions is just a natural part of the territory. Thanks for your support of On the Baseline!

I do disagree with the thought that tennis is stagnant and overall that this has been a disappointing and bad year. True, we might not have a dominant player, but in a way, that is what makes it so exciting.

Justine Henin was dominant, but honestly, she didn’t really force a change in the women’s game, not like the power-hitters of the last decade.

Dominance will come in its own good time, but in the meanwhile, I’ve enjoyed watching the next generation rise to the occasion. The status quo has been shaken up–and out of all the top players, the only one that I believe has performed even close to mediocre this season is Jankovic.

Take a look at these stats:

Ana Ivanovic - French Open / No. 1 ranking
Serena Williams - 2 Tier I titles / Wimbledon Final / Olympic Doubles Gold / Back to No. 3 in the world
Svetlana Kuznetsova - 3 Finals / Steady member of the Top 5
Maria Sharapova - Australian Open / No. 1 ranking
Dinara Safina - French Open Final / 5 singles and doubles titles
Elena Dementieva - Olympic Gold medal / Dubai Title
Venus Williams - Wimbledon / Olympic Doubles Gold Medal

These results are amazing and not even close to being mediocre. How are you looking at the glass? Is it half empty or half full?

]]> By: Will.I.AM http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27003 Will.I.AM Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:48:36 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27003 In my opinion, having a dominant player on tour really challenges the rest of the field to play at a higher level. The long run effect of having a dominant player on tour is that it changes the game for up and coming players. Evert lead the way for Seles with the two-handed backhand, Seles lead the way for the Williams sisters with her power, and the Williams sisters lead the way for the current field when it comes to athleticism. Without someone to challenge the field, the game becomes stagnant; much like it is now. That being said, this will more than likely be my last post for the year, if not forever. This site is the one place I come for an escape from the rest of my hectic life, and I refuse to be villanized or ganged up on. No hard feelings are garnered for either of you Richard and Diane. Aaress, keep up all the good work and I will continue to visit the blog daily. Also, I received my onthebaseline.com shirt the other day. Thanks a lot and I've worn it already. Peace. In my opinion, having a dominant player on tour really challenges the rest of the field to play at a higher level. The long run effect of having a dominant player on tour is that it changes the game for up and coming players. Evert lead the way for Seles with the two-handed backhand, Seles lead the way for the Williams sisters with her power, and the Williams sisters lead the way for the current field when it comes to athleticism. Without someone to challenge the field, the game becomes stagnant; much like it is now.

That being said, this will more than likely be my last post for the year, if not forever.

This site is the one place I come for an escape from the rest of my hectic life, and I refuse to be villanized or ganged up on.

No hard feelings are garnered for either of you Richard and Diane.

Aaress, keep up all the good work and I will continue to visit the blog daily. Also, I received my onthebaseline.com shirt the other day. Thanks a lot and I’ve worn it already. Peace.

]]> By: Aaress Lawless http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27002 Aaress Lawless Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:15:26 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27002 Also, to further clarify this situation, remember to respect the individual as a person. We can dissect a person's viewpoint and opinion, while still showing respect for the person who took time to share their viewpoint. On the Baseline is a place where I hope everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions, but be aware again that you may be asked to defend or further clarify that opinion. Also, to further clarify this situation, remember to respect the individual as a person.

We can dissect a person’s viewpoint and opinion, while still showing respect for the person who took time to share their viewpoint.

On the Baseline is a place where I hope everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions, but be aware again that you may be asked to defend or further clarify that opinion.

]]> By: Aaress Lawless http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27000 Aaress Lawless Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:05:53 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-27000 Hey Everyone, I was certain that this topic would invoke a fascinating discussion with a wide variety of opinions. Like most online forums, we do have rules and regulations, which you can see above at the "Comment Policy and Help"' link. Richard, Will.I.AM and everyone else who wants to comment is allowed to state his/her opinion AS long as it does not violate the policy. Thus far, this conversation has not stepped over that line, hence the reason why I'm allowing it to continue. Now just a reminder to all, this is a subject that is bound to garner differing opinions. This is an online forum, so if you state something in a comment, you need to prepared to defend your opinion (with intellect not emotion) against someone who might find a loophole or inconsistency. We're not all going to agree with you, so in other words, if you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. With that being said, feel free to carry on. Would someone care to comment about the pro's and con's of having a dominant player and why it helps/hurts the Tour in the long-run? Hey Everyone,

I was certain that this topic would invoke a fascinating discussion with a wide variety of opinions. Like most online forums, we do have rules and regulations, which you can see above at the “Comment Policy and Help”‘ link.

Richard, Will.I.AM and everyone else who wants to comment is allowed to state his/her opinion AS long as it does not violate the policy. Thus far, this conversation has not stepped over that line, hence the reason why I’m allowing it to continue.

Now just a reminder to all, this is a subject that is bound to garner differing opinions. This is an online forum, so if you state something in a comment, you need to prepared to defend your opinion (with intellect not emotion) against someone who might find a loophole or inconsistency. We’re not all going to agree with you, so in other words, if you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

With that being said, feel free to carry on. Would someone care to comment about the pro’s and con’s of having a dominant player and why it helps/hurts the Tour in the long-run?

]]> By: Richard http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-26999 Richard Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:53:02 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-26999 William, your posts are just ridiculous. Diane is trying to have a healthy debate with you, yet apparently you decided you ran out of points and went with the "okay I'm done with you" approach so you can have the last word. It's quite evident you are speaking from two points that shows glaring contrasts, some people just want to point that out. Women's tennis does not need a dominant player. Henin's domination last year did not sell tickets or draw TV ratings, nobody outside of fans of women's tennis cared for her. She didn't make the tour better because she played well, nor did she hurt the tour. It really depends on the overall condition of the tour, which will change thanks to the new roadmap in 2009. You don't have to hold back on what you have to say, because you're just a bunch of fluff. And if I was the site moderator, you would be gone from the blog forever, as your posts are just plain annoying to read. William, your posts are just ridiculous. Diane is trying to have a healthy debate with you, yet apparently you decided you ran out of points and went with the “okay I’m done with you” approach so you can have the last word. It’s quite evident you are speaking from two points that shows glaring contrasts, some people just want to point that out.

Women’s tennis does not need a dominant player. Henin’s domination last year did not sell tickets or draw TV ratings, nobody outside of fans of women’s tennis cared for her. She didn’t make the tour better because she played well, nor did she hurt the tour. It really depends on the overall condition of the tour, which will change thanks to the new roadmap in 2009.

You don’t have to hold back on what you have to say, because you’re just a bunch of fluff. And if I was the site moderator, you would be gone from the blog forever, as your posts are just plain annoying to read.

]]> By: Will.I.AM http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-26986 Will.I.AM Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:17:50 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-26986 Don't ask me to drop the sarcasm. Your posts have been just as scathing. And you're lucky this is a new me, because I am really holding back what I would like to say. But now I believe in good healthy debate, and since you choose to take it to a dark place, I choose to end this on a good note. Enjoy the US Open!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t ask me to drop the sarcasm. Your posts have been just as scathing. And you’re lucky this is a new me, because I am really holding back what I would like to say.

But now I believe in good healthy debate, and since you choose to take it to a dark place, I choose to end this on a good note.

Enjoy the US Open!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Diane http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-26969 Diane Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:43:25 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/08/22/off-who-is-likely-to-emerge-as-the-wta-tours-next-dominant-player/#comment-26969 Now you have switched your thesis, I see, William. Your thesis WAS that players who are struggling do better if there is a dominant player. Now that that thesis has been demonstrated as being incorrect, you have, without warning, changed to a new one. Okay--so on to your pasted-on second thesis--that having one good player is better than having a bunch of bad players. I don't know if that is true. It doesn't matter to me because I do not believe we have a tour filled with bad players. There are several players who play well enough to please me--Safina, Cornet, Serena, Jankovic, Wozniacki, Radanska, etc. Could they play better? Of course they could. And I hope they do. And you could drop the sarcasm. Now you have switched your thesis, I see, William. Your thesis WAS that players who are struggling do better if there is a dominant player. Now that that thesis has been demonstrated as being incorrect, you have, without warning, changed to a new one.

Okay–so on to your pasted-on second thesis–that having one good player is better than having a bunch of bad players. I don’t know if that is true. It doesn’t matter to me because I do not believe we have a tour filled with bad players. There are several players who play well enough to please me–Safina, Cornet, Serena, Jankovic, Wozniacki, Radanska, etc. Could they play better? Of course they could. And I hope they do.

And you could drop the sarcasm.

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