THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
http://www.tennisweek.com/features/fullstory.sps?inewsid=6643122
Love the choices or hate them, but here are the 10 best players of the decade with Serena at #1...
..and there you have it.
Love the choices or hate them, but here are the 10 best players of the decade with Serena at #1...
Player Of The Decade: Serena Williams
By Dennis Fitzgerald
Friday, November 20, 2009
The first decade of the new millennium is nearly over. The opportunity once again presents itself to reflect upon the progression of the game over the past 10 years, and assess who were the outstanding performers during the, well, just what are we calling this decade anyway?
The last millennium was easy. We had the fabulous ‘50s, the simmering Open era birth in the ‘60s, the sexy and sizzling ‘70s, the exuberant and exploding tennis circuitry of the ‘80s, followed by the nutty ‘90s.
Is this the "Oh" decade, not for Oprah, but for the "0" before each year? The ‘oughts are what some are calling it. Zero is the preceding digit for each year, and in tennis, 0 is also known as love. So was this the decade of love for tennis? Then again another term for 0 is nought, so will we remember this as the "noughty decade"? Perhaps, with some of the end of the decade meltdowns and revelations by some of the top stars, naughtiness is in for tennis. Let’s hope not.
In assessing the top stars in the women’s game the last 10 years, a quick recap of the leading ladies of the last 40 years.
Margaret Smith Court of Australia ruled the women’s game in the 1960s, and in fact won more majors (16) during that decade than any player in history. Her closest rivals were Maria Bueno and Billie Jean King, but their records paled in comparison. Chris Evert was indeed Chris America when tennis moved to the forefront of the American consciousness in the 1970s. She burst onto the scene in a small event in 1970, and remained the game’s brightest star for the next 10 years, as well as the top player for more than half that time. The 1980s ushered in a new era, with new racquets and athleticism dictating play, so it’s no surprise Martina Navratilova was the top ranked player from 1980-1989. Steffi Graf achieved notice at the end of the ‘80s, and continued her winning ways until the end of the 1990s, claiming her 22nd and last major in 1999.
The player who ended the 1990s by claiming her first major title survived a topsy turvy career to join the legends of the game as the premiere player of the millenium’s new decade.
Serena Williams definitively deserves the mythical title of "Player of the Decade" in women’s tennis.
The battle for this crown was the closest for any decennial. Three women had legitimate claims to the decade’s top billing as early as 2008. The race to finish the decade as No. 1 was very much like a long distance race.
First Venus Williams raced out to an early lead with back-to-back Wimbledon and US Open titles, plus an Olympic gold medal in the first two years of the decade, only to see her sister turn her back, and one-up her with the Serena Slam of 2002-2003. Just when Serena settled into the lead, injuries and the emergence of Belgium’s Justine Henin created an exciting power struggle at the top of the women’s game. But all three would experience highs and lows, physical as well as emotional battles, over the remainder of the decade.
Henin’s brilliant 2007 season signaled she had the lead heading into the final stretch of the decade long race. Then, inexplicably she quit the game in spring of 2008.
Venus Williams' fifth Wimbledon title put her back in contention for the Lady of the Decade. But once again it was little sister Serena who would have the last word. Winning the Australian and Wimbledon titles in 2009, to increase her total to 10 major victories for the decade, and 11th overall, Serena celebrated her status as the top woman of the decennial by winning the season — and decade-ending — Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships.
A review of the decade’s top stars:
1. Serena Williams won 10 majors, including wins at all 4 major venues. She won 30 titles from 2000-2009, and earned the highest winning percentage of any player at 83.5%. However, she played fewer matches than any other top player of previous decades, and her 370 match wins rank only seventh best among all women for the decade. But she still won when it counted most.
2. Justine Henin edged out Venus Williams for No. 2. Although Henin retired in spring of 2008, a review of her record in the last 10 years reveals a tremendously productive tenure. She led all players with 40 tournament titles, was second in number of wins at 428, tied for second for majors won at seven, and was third overall in winning percentage. Her versatility in winning three of the four majors, and reaching every major final at least twice, and three seasons as the official World No. 1 were enough to counter an early retirement, and a late decade renaissance by Venus Williams.
3. Venus Williams was a force to be reckoned with for the entire decade. Although injuries and indifference caused her ranking to dip at times, she could never be counted out when the majors rolled around. Venus racked up five Wimbledon titles, which was more than any woman won at any of the majors. She earned 32 Tour titles, won nearly 400 matches, and 81.8% of all her matches.
4. Maria Sharapova declared her presence with a stunning Wimbledon triumph in 2004. Although she is three times a lady Grand Slam champ, with additional major victories in New York in 2006 and Melbourne in 2008, she wasn’t able to remain in contention for the decade’s top player, due to a slew of injuries. Twenty titles and an 80.4% winning average is still impressive for a player just 23 years old.
5. Kim Clijsters is symbolic of the decade’s new generation, quickly emerging from teen prodigy to tour workhorse, to Grand Slam winner, to former tour player, to comeback Queen and new mom champion at the US Open. She missed the better part of two years to enjoy motherhood, but her stunning return to the winner’s circle this past year further enhanced her placement in the decade’s top 10.
6. Amelie Mauresmo’s heart and tenacity, and athletic and persistent game have enabled the veteran to end the decade still as a force in the game, as well as recognition as one of the most accomplished players of the decade. Amelie won 24 titles, including 2 majors, ranked No. 1, and won more matches (426) than all but two other players for the last 10 years.
7. Lindsay Davenport is the game’s other comebacking mama of the decade. Lindsay began the decade by taking over the No. 1 ranking and winning the first major (2000 Australian Open). Surprisingly it would be her last major triumph. But three seasons as No. 1, plus appearances in four major finals, and an amazingly consistent winning record — she was the only woman who won 60 or more matches in a season four times — confirmed her place among the elite of the oughties.
8. Svetlana Kuznetsova was part of the Russian Revolution in women’s tennis. Sveta seemed content at times to play second fiddle to some of her compatriots, her prodigious talent not always keeping pace with her results. But she garnered two majors (2004 US Open and 2009 French Open) in a decade where many payers failed to win any. Plus she found herself in two other major finals during this time, so she knows better than most what it takes to succeed at a high level.
9. Jennifer Capriati seems to have been away from the game for too long to even be considered for this list. However, three major wins in two short years was enough to earn a top 10 of the decade spot. Capriati started her second decade on tour very well, reaching the 2000 Australian Open semis. She went on to win the title Down Under for 2 years running, and also added the 2001 French title to her resume. Unfortunately, injuries ended her career just half way through the decade.
10. Elena Dementieva was the winningest woman of the decade, believe it or not. Although she won no majors, she did win more matches (444) than any other player. She began the decade reaching the 2000 US Open semis in a breakout performance. Even though she didn’t win a tour title until 2003, she continued to improve, and eventually won a total of 14 titles, the biggest of which was the 2008 Olympic gold medal.
..and there you have it.
Dont think i missed much
