Who is the best female returner of all time...

[dangalak]

not named Serena?

[Vcore89]

Amelie Mauresmo and Steffi Graf's smashing backhand slice? Monica Seles gets my nod!

[RAFA2005RG]

Shannon Elizabeth

[jones101]

Originally Posted by dangalak

not named Serena?

Serena has a great return but it is not consistent, her FH in particular.

Historicly, Id say Seles, currently Id say Azarenka.

[Gizo]

I think that from their generation, Davenport was actually a better returner than Serena. She had the second best serve of her generation after Serena, and the best return.

Seles's was the best I have seen though.

[Warriorroger]

Seles: angles-power-consistancy
Davenport: clean shots power

[cc0509]

I think Seles is up there as one of the best returners of all time.

Today, the three best are Serena, Azarenka and Sharapova.

[dangalak]

Dementieva ?

[The-Champ]

Not including Queen Serena?

1. Venus
2. Capriati
3. Seles
4. Davenport

[smoledman]

Henin was a good returner.

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by The-Champ

Not including Queen Serena?

1. Venus
2. Capriati
3. Seles
4. Davenport

.

1. Seles
2. Serena
3. Davenport
4. Evert
5. Venus or Hingis

That is the correct top 5

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by NadalAgassi

1. Seles
2. Serena
3. Davenport
4. Evert
5. Venus or Hingis

That is the correct top 5

No Dementieva? Capriati? Clijsters? Henin? Azarenka? Sharapova?

Originally Posted by dangalak

No Dementieva? Capriati? Clijsters? Henin? Azarenka? Sharapova?

None of those players are better returners than the ones I listed so no. If you disagree make your own list.

PS- I dont even find Henin that great a returner. One reason I thought she never won Wimbledon was she didnt return serve well enough, especialy when she faced big servers like the Williams and Mauresmo in 06. The others you mentioned are very strong returners yes.

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by NadalAgassi

None of those players are better returners than the ones I listed so no. If you disagree make your own list.

PS- I dont even find Henin that great a returner. One reason I thought she never won Wimbledon was she didnt return serve well enough, especialy when she faced big servers like the Williams and Mauresmo in 06.

I'd say it was her lack of a serve more than anything.

At least Dementieva should be in your list though. Not sure about a top 5 so I'm not gonna make one.

Henin's serve wasnt bad. Her serve isnt really any different from Sharapova or Mauresmo who both won Wimbledon in her era. Her return wasnt bad either, just like the serve not one of the very best however. There were numerous players with both better serves and better returns, and combine the two and you got no Wimbledons for Henin. Mauresmo isnt a better returner, but had a bit bigger 1st serve and more reach at the net.

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by NadalAgassi

Henin's serve wasnt bad. Her serve isnt really any different from Sharapova or Mauresmo who both won Wimbledon in her era. Her return wasnt bad either, just like the serve not one of the very best however. There were numerous players with both better serves and better returns, and combine the two and you got no Wimbledons for Henin. Mauresmo isnt a better returner, but had a bit bigger 1st serve and more reach at the net.

She had abysmal FS%.

I disagree that she didn't have the game to win. She was very well in position to beat Mauresmo, just didn't close it out. Her game in itself isn't insufficient to win her a Wimbledon.

Seles would be a better example.

[NLBwell]

Seles the best ever.

[smoledman]

Henin had an abysmal FS% because of her lack of height.

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by smoledman

Henin had an abysmal FS% because of her lack of height.

.....your point being? What else was going to be the cause?