The WTA rankings have been updated following the conclusion of the French Open. Not surprisingly, Na Li has jumped to a career high ranking of 4, and Andrea Petkovic is now knocking on the top 10 ranking door. Carlone Wozniacki still remains on top, notwithstanding her inability to secure a first grand slam title. The blogger does view Schiavone’s decline of two places to number 7, somewhat unfair. Surely, if a player is good enough to reach the final of a grand slam (let alone the French Open) in consecutive years, she should not be penalised, under what is clearly a tortured rankings system. It should be recognised as an outstanding achievement, rather than an inability of the player to defend “points”. In one word, a “nonsense”.
What did catch the bloggers eye, was the fact neither of the Williams sisters’ names appear in the top 20 ranking. Venus and Serena have been an integral make up of the women’s tennis elite for a long long time. Unfortunately due to injury, and perhaps a lack of motivation, the sisters have not played on the WTA tour for some time. In Venus’s case, not since the Australian Open this year, and longer for Serena, who last played a competitive game, when she won the Wimbledon final last year.
So, when was the last time neither Williams sisters were ranked in the top 20? Answer – 1998. Some 13 years ago. It therefore goes without saying, the sisters, winners of a combined 20 single grand slam titles, and 12 doubles crowns, will be remebered as greats, and in the case of Serena, probably one of the greatest female tennis players, ever to play the game. Can they return the top 20 ranking? The word is, both sisters will make their return to the courts at the Eastbourne lead up event, prior to Wimbledon. The blogger certainly isn’t ruling our successful returns for both, and another grand slam victory before the years out, let alone their careers.