Women's Tennis finally has a legit number one with Victoria Azarenka.

[Amelie Mauresmo]

After the void the WTA's been in from 2009 until 2012 it is nice to see a young number one who actually wins grand slam singles titles. Caroline Wozniacki was the worst number one ever because that girl couldn't win a slam. Being number one isn't just about winning meaningless titles it is about standing up to pressure, fighting off opponents and winning slam titles.

I wasn't sure last year, because plenty of players win one grand slam and that's it. I think it to be a real champion to be a real contender a player needs to win 2 slams or more. It just makes the player more special in my humble opinion. Winning one slam can be a fluke, having a special moment or a good draw.

But the ability to rise to the occasion and win a second grand slam singles title says a lot about a player that she is for real.

I wasn't sure if Victoria Azarenka was for real but she confirmed it by winning her second grand slam title today. This is huge for women's tennis. After all the crap with the slamless number ones, the WTA finally has some stability. The rest of the women better watch out and that includes Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Victoria Azarenka has proven she's for real and she's a fighter. Victoria is better than Maria she's a real athlete she trains hard, she moves well, she has variety in her game, she can volley well too.

I expect Victoria to win more slam. Not sure about the French Open because clay is Victoria's worst surface and she's only won one clay court title in her career. But the other three slams Victoria is definitely a legit threat.

The only thing Victoria needs to work on is her serve, her serve isn't big enough I feel she's a big strong girl almost six feet she should be serving over 110 mph or higher.

[norbac]

Got lucky Serena was injured and Li injured herself in the final.

[SempreSami]

Love her, but still think Serena still has her number by virtue of outgunning her on serve.

[forzamilan90]

Originally Posted by norbac

Got lucky Serena was injured and Li injured herself in the final.

Maybe, maybe not. Serena ain't winning the FO though. Not a chance. I certainly think Azarenka would go way deeper there, and should they meet possibly beat her.

[tacou]

Unfortunately she is unlikable in every way :/

[soyizgood]

Azarenka has only won one non-hardcourt title. Similar to Wozniacki in that she only is a real factor on hardcourts. She leaves much to be desired on clay and gets doused by an inform hard-hitter on grass.

When she's focused, she's quite the stubborn hard-working player that's earned #1. I still don't think she is a complete #1 until she becomes a contender on non-hardcourt surfaces. That and be more professional (for example, her retirements and walkovers). She's someone you either love or strongly dislike. I don't think she wants it any other way.

I still haven't forgiven her for tanking the YEC 2011 match with Bartoli. Somehow she felt no desire to play it since she clinched the group and got booed off. Yet, Kvitova played out all her matches and went 5-0 to win it.

She's only beaten Serena ONCE in their 12 meetings. 10 of Serena's wins were straight sets. Serena went 5-0 last year against her. Federer gets flack for his H2H with Nadal, but this is a complete rout.

Do I think she is the best full-time player? I guess. Do I give her the upper hand in facing someone like a healthy or focused Serena? No.

[cluckcluck]

Sure, she's a legit #1 but really there's very little to like about her.

The screaming alone is intolerable. The phantom injuries. And the camp that she has. I get having friends from other industries, but seriously RedFoo? The guy looks like he was spat out of the 90's garbage disposal.

[dunlop_fort_knox]

Serena would still destroy her. VA got lucky with the draw. very lucky.

[dafinch]

One Slam titles in the last year-ok, let's say last 2 Slam titles, to Serena's two plus an Olympic title. And, I think, as a tiebreaker, most folks would rather have a Wimbledon and US Open rather than 2 Aussie Opens. You know what's another recognized tiebreaker? Head to head results. Vika doesn't come out so well in that comparison, either. Doesn't sound so legit to me...

[slowfox]

Originally Posted by cluckcluck

Sure, she's a legit #1 but really there's very little to like about her.

How about a nice body?

[soyizgood]

Originally Posted by dafinch

One Slam titles in the last year-ok, let's say last 2 Slam titles, to Serena's two plus an Olympic title. And, I think, as a tiebreaker, most folks would rather have a Wimbledon and US Open rather than 2 Aussie Opens. You know what's another recognized tiebreaker? Head to head results. Vika doesn't come out so well in that comparison, either. Doesn't sound so legit to me...

Serena had 2 slams, YEC, and the Olympic Gold. Won two events on clay as well. I like Azarenka, but Serena excelled on all surfaces (excluding the FO disaster).

[soyizgood]

Originally Posted by slowfox

How about a nice body?

She has nice legs, but I think she's packed a few extra pounds in the off-season. Maybe she stole a few of Pavlyuchenkova's meals or sampled on Sugarpova.

[Amelie Mauresmo]

At least Victoria is winning grand slams and as for not facing Serena well that's not her problem. The WTA needs a number one who can handle pressure and unlike Jankovic, Safina, Wozniacki women's tennis finally has that with Azarenka. Azarenka is tough she's doesn't care if the public like her or not as she proved defeating Li Na in the Australian Open final.

There is something that Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki lack that Victoria Azarenka has and that's mental toughness. Azarenka doesn't care if the media or fans like her either she's out there to win and she does. Victoria beat the women who she had to face and she won the event. Women's tennis needs Victoria Azarenka she's doing excellent. Can Victoria improve? Of course, she needs to improve on clay she hasn't won a big clay court title yet. And as I said before Azarenka needs a better serve.

But unlike say Petra Kvitova I see Azarenka as a hard worker someone willing to put the hours in the gym. Kvitova probably has more talent than Azarenka yet she's lazy she's overweight and uses excuses about her health to justify not working hard in the gym. Lindsay Davenport told sports illustrated that Kvitova makes too many excuses and she needs to lose weight and I agree.

[dafinch]

Originally Posted by Amelie Mauresmo

At least Victoria is winning grand slams and as for not facing Serena well that's not her problem. The WTA needs a number one who can handle pressure and unlike Jankovic, Safina, Wozniacki women's tennis finally has that with Azarenka. Azarenka is tough she's doesn't care if the public like her or not as she proved defeating Li Na in the Australian Open final.

There is something that Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki lack that Victoria Azarenka has and that's mental toughness. Azarenka doesn't care if the media or fans like her either she's out there to win and she does. Victoria beat the women who she had to face and she won the event. Women's tennis needs Victoria Azarenka she's doing excellent. Can Victoria improve? Of course, she needs to improve on clay she hasn't won a big clay court title yet. And as I said before Azarenka needs a better serve.

But unlike say Petra Kvitova I see Azarenka as a hard worker someone willing to put the hours in the gym. Kvitova probably has more talent than Azarenka yet she's lazy she's overweight and uses excuses about her health to justify not working hard in the gym. Lindsay Davenport told sports illustrated that Kvitova makes too many excuses and she needs to lose weight and I agree.

Well, it's certainly her problem when she DOES face Serena, and a legit Number One who has to pray that somebody else dispatches the next ranked player is not going to get full support from the public as the best player, no matter what the computer says-particularly when you factor in dubious tactics, i.e. the shrieking, which more than one Hall of Fame player thinks is cheating, and using MTOs to quiet "panic attacks."

[dafinch]

Originally Posted by cluckcluck

Sure, she's a legit #1 but really there's very little to like about her.

The screaming alone is intolerable. The phantom injuries. And the camp that she has. I get having friends from other industries, but seriously RedFoo? The guy looks like he was spat out of the 90's garbage disposal.

Didn't know until 2 days ago that he was Berry Gordy's son. How the hell did he grow around Motown and dance like that? That attempt at same I saw has Berry spinning in his grave...oh, wait, he's not dead yet. Well, the dancing will PUT him there, lol.

[NadalAgassi]

I dont agree Azarenka cant win the French. I think she has a better shot at the French than Wimbledon personally. Although I could see her getting the Career Slam considering even Sharapova could do it. Will never dominate grass or clay, but could win 1 at each sometime in her career. Most of her slams will be on hard courts though. Yes she is a legitimate #1. While she needs to beat Serena in a big match to gain full validation as the best player, she is the first #1 in a long time who combined consistent play, a regular tour schedule, and ability to contend for and actually win the big titles. Definitely what the WTA needs, and the rightful heir apparent to the great Serena Williams.

[dafinch]

Originally Posted by forzamilan90

Maybe, maybe not. Serena ain't winning the FO though. Not a chance. I certainly think Azarenka would go way deeper there, and should they meet possibly beat her.

"Not a chance" seems inconsistent with "Possibly beat her" unless you have some OTHER big favorite you haven't mentioned. Saying that Serena has "not a chance" to win ANY tournament is, IMO, short sighted, to say the least.

[OrangePower]

Originally Posted by tacou

Unfortunately she is unlikable in every way :/

+1

Madam gamesmanship.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by norbac

Got lucky Serena was injured and Li injured herself in the final.

I agree with this.

[mariecon]

I can't stand Azareka after this tournament. I never liked her much because of her on court screeching/grunting/wailing, I don't even know what to call it. But now after her behavior at this AO I really like her even less if that's possible (and I am not American so don't bring Sloane into it).