Once a month, we answer some of the many questions and search inquiries we receive at On the Baseline. If you would like to participate, simply send your tennis-related question to info@onthebaseline.com. Your question may be edited for content or grammar before it is published.
Is there an age bar to play professional tennis?
Yes. The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour does have an age eligibility rule. Any players under the age of fourteen are prohibited from participating in any professional tournament on the WTA Tour, ITF Women’s Circuit, or Fed Cup. A player’s competition schedule is limited from the ages of fourteen to seventeen. For more information on age eligibility, read the official Sony Ericsson WTA Tour rules.
How long has Liezel Huber been playing tennis?
Huber has been playing tennis since the age of five.
How to keep score in tennis?
On the Baseline has published a handy guide to the tennis scoring system. You can view it here.
In what year did Ana Ivanovic win the French Open for the first time?
2008. Ivanvoic defeated Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-3 in the women’s final.
Who will win the Australian Open 2009?
Good question! Early contenders: Anyone in the Top 10.
What is the French Open’s prize money?
The French Tennis Federation has not yet announced the prize money for 2009. However, the prize money for 2008 was €15,575,960.
How many medals did Justine Henin win?
One. Henin won the 2004 Olympic gold medal at the Athens Games.
Who won the 2008 Toray Pan Pacific Open?
Dinara Safina beat her countrywoman Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 6-3 for the title.
Why was Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario famous?
Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario is a now-retired former world number one player from Spain. She won fourteen Grand Slam titles, including four singles trophies.
How long has Jelena Jankovic been number one?
Jankovic is currently spending her second, non-consecutive week as No. 1.
Is Henin making a comeback?
As of October 6, the retired Belgian star has no plans to return to professional tennis.
Did Maria Sharapova come from a poor family?
Yes. Sharapova was born in western Siberia and emigrated with her father to the United States when she was only six years old. Yuri Sharapov, Maria’s father, had only $700.00 of borrowed money in his pocket.
Can you buy tickets for Wimbledon at the door or do you need to book them in advance?
For more information on buying tickets for the Wimbledon Championships, please visit www.wimbledon.org.
What is the only Grand Slam that Lindsay Davenport has not won?
Roland Garros. Davenport’s best results in Paris came in 1998 when she reached the semifinals.
Will Martina Hingis be back on the tennis courts in 2008?
Not a professional tennis court. Hingis is currently serving a two-year suspension for cocaine use.
Who just won the 2008 US Open tennis competition?
Serena Williams. She beat Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 7-5.
Has Ana Ivanovic changed her racket?
Yes. Ivanovic is currently using the Yonex RQiS 1Tour XL.
What has Yvonne Goolagong achieved in her career?
Australia’s Yvonne Goolagong won fourteen Grand Slam titles, including seven major singles titles. She is also a former world No. 1 player.
How long has Maria Sharapova played tennis?
Sharapova started playing tennis at four years of age.
Who is the greatest tennis player of all-time?
This debate is still open for discussion, but you can read my opinion here.
How many Grand Slams has Venus Williams won?
Seven. Her most recent victory was at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships.
How long was Lindsay Davenport ranked number one?
Davenport spent ninety-eight weeks in the WTA Tour’s top spot.
How did Serena Williams qualify for the Olympics in 2008?
Serena Williams qualified for the Olympics based upon her singles ranking and her participation on the USA’s Fed Cup squad.
Why is Maria Sharapova out for the season?
Sharapova is suffering from a lingering shoulder injury.
Will Maria Sharapova play in the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha?
No. See above answer and link.
What round did Serena Williams reach in the ladies singles at the Beijing Olympics?
Serena reached the quarterfinal round at Beijing before losing to eventual gold medalist Elena Dementieva.
Who won the WTA Tour Player of the Year award in 2007?
Justine Henin
