I know she had her moments, but the retirement in the Aussie Open final was for a legitimate reason IMO. She destroyed Amelie the next time they played at Berlin, and she lost the Wimbledon final. Amelie didn't win it. Henin was very rude but only because she was such a fearsome competitor, she never formed any friendships on the tour but I think herself and Clijsters developed a relationship of sorts later on in her career.
The Women's game needs a CHAMPION. All of the current players are losers. They're good one week and then they play terribly the next. Serena may be a legend, but I don't think she's been good for the tour over the past few years. She barely ever plays, even when she's not injured.
I am a huge Amelie stan, so I might be biased, but I think Amelie played a great WImbledon final. Especially that last set. And Henin could have waited for 5 more minutes at the Australian Open. I mean she was getting blown away off the court, so its not like it would last for much longer. She just retired not to let Amelie feel the pleasure of a Grand Slam victory completely.
I have this love-hate relationship with Henin tbh. She's probably the biggest talent to have played in women's tennis though and I'll be the first to admit that.
As for Serena, I agree that she's a legend, but the fact that she has so many other interests and kind of became a part of the pop culture has kind of put me off. Its like tennis isn't #1 thing for her.
btw Serena can be hilariously shady. Have you guys seen how she shades Dinara here (its also relevant to the conversation of Dinara being #1 without the Grand Slam).
I actually don't mind Kvitova that much. She can be categorized as a power-hitter, but she's a leftie and lefties have a very enjoyable style (Schnyder was my all-time favorite along with Mauresmo). And I've actually seen Kvitova play at the net several time and she did it quite skillfully, so she got some pluses in my book.
Azarenka? no ma'am. A typical brainless power-hitter.
I think that's part of the reason I like her too. There's no other lefties right now. She's also really humble which is nice to see. Most of the girls on the tour seem to be really full of themselves and quite bitchy but Petra seemed really nice when she was interviewed at Wimbledon. You could tell she never expected it and she was genuinely happy to have won.
Victoria has more variety than Maria. She's a power player but at least she's generally accurate. I hate watching Maria play. I remember when she won Wimbledon they said that she had so much potential because she could add so much to her game. Over the years it seems her only goal has been to hit the ball harder, and she's become so messy because of that. So many errors come off her racquet.
I also quite like Peng and Bartoli because of the novelty of them being double-handed on both sides.
I am a huge Amelie stan, so I might be biased, but I think Amelie played a great WImbledon final. Especially that last set. And Henin could have waited for 5 more minutes at the Australian Open. I mean she was getting blown away off the court, so its not like it would last for much longer. She just retired not to let Amelie feel the pleasure of a Grand Slam victory completely.
I have this love-hate relationship with Henin tbh. She's probably the biggest talent to have played in women's tennis though and I'll be the first to admit that.
As for Serena, I agree that she's a legend, but the fact that she has so many other interests and kind of became a part of the pop culture has kind of put me off. Its like tennis isn't #1 thing for her.
btw Serena can be hilariously shady. Have you guys seen how she shades Dinara here (its also relevant to the conversation of Dinara being #1 without the Grand Slam).
Dinara shade starts at around 1.45
Amelie played a good match, she obviously had to hold strong to win but Henin definitely crumbled after the first set. The same thing happened the next year when she lost to Bartoli. Henin was a great fighter but I think her mental strength was always exaggerated. I think she was quite fragile tbh and relied on Carlos too often for support.
@ that shade! I didn't see that before. I know Dinara didn't win any slams but at least she got to three finals. Caroline is currently #1 and her last four GS results have been SF,SF,3RD,4TH. Terrible for a #1.
Serena's lack of interest is the reason why she's won 13 slams. She could have been the greatest of all time.
I think that's part of the reason I like her too. There's no other lefties right now. She's also really humble which is nice to see. Most of the girls on the tour seem to be really full of themselves and quite bitchy but Petra seemed really nice when she was interviewed at Wimbledon. You could tell she never expected it and she was genuinely happy to have won.
Victoria has more variety than Maria. She's a power player but at least she's generally accurate. I hate watching Maria play. I remember when she won Wimbledon they said that she had so much potential because she could add so much to her game. Over the years it seems her only goal has been to hit the ball harder, and she's become so messy because of that. So many errors come off her racquet.
I also quite like Peng and Bartoli because of the novelty of them being double-handed on both sides.
Plus Kvitova has said that her favorite artist is Pink, so that probably also skews me to her side :P
I agree that Victoria is tiny bit more accurate and thus more enjoyable to watch than Maria. Maria is very boring. I can't really have a respect for a tennis player who makes twice as many unforced errors than winners, if not 3-4 times as much. It means that she doesn't feel the ball very wall. And her net game is just ridiculous. She's standing like a cow there.
Well yeah, Bartoli can be fun to watch with all her awkwardness. But girls with one-handed backhands will always have my heart. But looks like Schiavone is the last one standing. After she retires, there won't be anyone remarkable playing with a one-handed backhand. And that's sad, because its such a beautiful shot.
Plus Kvitova has said that her favorite artist is Pink, so that probably also skews me to her side :P
I agree that Victoria is tiny bit more accurate and thus more enjoyable to watch than Maria. Maria is very boring. I can't really have a respect for a tennis player who makes twice as many unforced errors than winners, if not 3-4 times as much. It means that she doesn't feel the ball very wall. And her net game is just ridiculous. She's standing like a cow there.
Well yeah, Bartoli can be fun to watch with all her awkwardness. But girls with one-handed backhands will always have my heart. But looks like Schiavone is the last one standing. After she retires, there won't be anyone remarkable playing with a one-handed backhand. And that's sad, because its such a beautiful shot.
I agree about Maria. I used to like her because she's Russian (I'm part Russian ) but I think she's a bitch and not a likeable player. She's overrated off the court and also in terms of her looks. I don't think she looks great tbh. She's also known to be quite rude too. Most of the younger girls seem to be friends with each other. I think that's nice.
It's funny to watch Bartoli sometimes because even the commentators laugh at her eccentric routines. I think her biggest problem is that it takes her too long to win matches that should be easy for her. She played so well at Wimbledon, but she wasted too much energy in the early rounds. She beat Kvitova at Eastbourne, so she had the pedigree to win the tournament.
I don't like one handed backhands to be honest, but I also agree it's sad to see the game becoming so one dimensional. I think it's because most players come from Academies and they are very one dimensional in how they teach the game. So many of the Legends had one handed backhands, it's surprising that it's becoming extinct. I have a two handed backhand, but that's just the way I was coached. I never made a decision to play that way.
I agree about Maria. I used to like her because she's Russian (I'm part Russian ) but I think she's a bitch and not a likeable player. She's overrated off the court and also in terms of her looks. I don't think she looks great tbh. She's also known to be quite rude too. Most of the younger girls seem to be friends with each other. I think that's nice.
And yet you like Henin? I don't understand that at all. If Sharapova really is a bitch, at least she tries to show some tact. Henin's blatant rudeness, coldness and arrogance was always such a huge turn-off for me. I know she's a good player, but I don't think I've ever disliked another athlete more.
Was anyone else disappointed to see Venus withdraw from the tournament once again last week? She's always been one of my favorite players, and her constant health and professional struggles these past couple of years have been so frustrating as a fan. I hope she can sort through her condition and come back to the game, but I think she has a couple good years of tennis left in her if she really wants.
And yet you like Henin? I don't understand that at all. If Sharapova really is a bitch, at least she tries to show some tact. Henin's blatant rudeness, coldness and arrogance was always such a huge turn-off for me. I know she's a good player, but I don't think I've ever disliked another athlete more.
Agree. Some of the things she does is despicable. Especially during the 2003 Roland Garros Semifinal against Serena, she was totally out of line. Maria is a likeable player, far from a bitch, I don't see how anyone can NOT like her.
Quote:
Originally posted by supaspaz
Was anyone else disappointed to see Venus withdraw from the tournament once again last week? She's always been one of my favorite players, and her constant health and professional struggles these past couple of years have been so frustrating as a fan. I hope she can sort through her condition and come back to the game, but I think she has a couple good years of tennis left in her if she really wants.
This. I loved Venus, and want to see her do well, especially against Serena, someone she can't be as of late. But she'll do well, I know it
And Kuznetsova is holding her own against the current world number 1...I want Svetlana to win this one
And yet you like Henin? I don't understand that at all. If Sharapova really is a bitch, at least she tries to show some tact. Henin's blatant rudeness, coldness and arrogance was always such a huge turn-off for me. I know she's a good player, but I don't think I've ever disliked another athlete more.
During the height of the Belgian rivalry I never liked Justine, and it irked me so much that she won the three GS finals they contested against each other. It wasn't until she came back in 2005 after missing the majority of 2004 with a virus that I really started to appreciate her. I accept that she wasn't the most likeable person, but even when she was #1 I always felt as though she was the underdog. The odds were always stacked against her from a physical stand-point. I always felt as though her time was limited.
Quote:
Originally posted by supaspaz
Was anyone else disappointed to see Venus withdraw from the tournament once again last week? She's always been one of my favorite players, and her constant health and professional struggles these past couple of years have been so frustrating as a fan. I hope she can sort through her condition and come back to the game, but I think she has a couple good years of tennis left in her if she really wants.
It's sad. She hasn't been a big force in the game in quite some time, mainly due to her own inactivity... But I'd like to see her go out on a high. I don't think she'll win another major, but she's more than good enough to be in the top ten again. Venus is very nice in person, I have her autograph. I have Serena's too but she wasn't as nice...
I guess we'll have to make do with great matches of the past
I started following tennis regularly at the 2001 US open, so I didn't really see many of Martina's matches. She twisted her ankle at Filderstadt (?) not long after that. I followed her 2006 comeback, but I hoped for more from her. Rome was the highlight.
I remember you saying you stanned for Hingis, Seles and Dementieva. Who are your favourite active players?
I started following tennis regularly at the 2001 US open, so I didn't really see many of Martina's matches. She twisted her ankle at Filderstadt (?) not long after that. I followed her 2006 comeback, but I hoped for more from her. Rome was the highlight.
I remember you saying you stanned for Hingis, Seles and Dementieva. Who are your favourite active players?
The top Chinese players, Na, Jie and Shuai
Also Radwanska, Bartoli, Serena, Chakvetadze, Jankovic, Pennetta and Zvonareva
But tennis really isn't as good as it has been in the past
Also Radwanska, Bartoli, Serena, Chakvetadze, Jankovic, Pennetta and Zvonareva
But tennis really isn't as good as it has been in the past
The Queen!
She was my favourite, but I honestly can't stan for her when the chances of her becoming a top player again are very slim. I don't know what went wrong. I always presumed it was a mental block, and the pressure of being a top player got to her like it did some of the other Russians (Vera and Svetlana for example). I saw her play a match for the first time in a long time at Wimbledon, and she just doesn't have the weapons to be a top player again. I'll never lose hope, but she reminds me of Jelena Dokic in some ways. Anna's still only 24, so I won't give up on her just yet.
Right now I like Kvitova, Wozniacki and Lisicki. I didn't want Sabine to beat Li at Wimbledon, but when she won the match and I saw how much it meant to her it changed my opinion of her. So many of the girls today play for the money and not because they love the game. Sabine and Petra seem to be generally enthusiastic about tennis. They play because they love it.
Do you think anyone can beat Serena? It looks like it's her tournament to lose.
She was my favourite, but I honestly can't stan for her when the chances of her becoming a top player again are very slim. I don't know what went wrong. I always presumed it was a mental block, and the pressure of being a top player got to her like it did some of the other Russians (Vera and Svetlana for example). I saw her play a match for the first time in a long time at Wimbledon, and she just doesn't have the weapons to be a top player again. I'll never lose hope, but she reminds me of Jelena Dokic in some ways. Anna's still only 24, so I won't give up on her just yet.
Right now I like Kvitova, Wozniacki and Lisicki. I didn't want Sabine to beat Li at Wimbledon, but when she won the match and I saw how much it meant to her it changed my opinion of her. So many of the girls today play for the money and not because they love the game. Sabine and Petra seem to be generally enthusiastic about tennis. They play because they love it.
Do you think anyone can beat Serena? It looks like it's her tournament to lose.
Anna started declining after those gangsters attacked her at her home, tied her and her family up and robbed them. She was never the same after that. And since then it's just been one injury after another. I too hope that she will one day be back to her old self, cause she was amazing to watch.
I don't like most of the new generation, Kvitova's hit or miss tennis is boring to me, but so is Wozniacki's pushing (although I am warming up to her). And Lisicki's game hasn't yet impressed me. Azarenka's game is alright but her grunt is unlistenable.
I'm hoping for a Wozniacki/Serena SF. I think Woz could actually trouble her as she proved 2.5 years ago in Sydney.
Are you on tennisforum.com? If they were serious about WPs there I would probably have dozens
Anna started declining after those gangsters attacked her at her home, tied her and her family up and robbed them. She was never the same after that. And since then it's just been one injury after another. I too hope that she will one day be back to her old self, cause she was amazing to watch.
I don't like most of the new generation, Kvitova's hit or miss tennis is boring to me, but so is Wozniacki's pushing (although I am warming up to her). And Lisicki's game hasn't yet impressed me. Azarenka's game is alright but her grunt is unlistenable.
I'm hoping for a Wozniacki/Serena SF. I think Woz could actually trouble her as she proved 2.5 years ago in Sydney.
Are you on tennisforum.com? If they were serious about WPs there I would probably have dozens
I heard someone else say that, but she won Paris Indoors after the attack. I think it was a combination of that and other factors. Her game has changed over the years. Her tennis at Wimbledon against Sharapova was ugly. She cut her hair too. She donated it to charity because of Liezel Huber. I can't stand her.
Kvitova is hit and miss, but I don't think she's your typical power player. She has good feel of the ball. She reminds me of Lindsay Davenport in some ways. Azerenka has arguably the most potential of all the young players, but she's been a top player for years and she still hasn't had her moment. I expected her to have won a slam by now to be honest. She's best known for her reputation as a quitter, which is a shame.
Serena is playing really well, though. Wozniacki will be blown off the court. I like Wozniacki but she's not the best player in the world. She's known to be consistent, that's how she got to the top... But look at her results. There's been plenty of terrible losses this year alone. She's just lucky she plays so often. Petkovic could beat her. She struggled against Kuznetsova, who's a shadow of the player she could be.
Anastasia could beat Serena, she beat Venus twice. I don't think it will happen though.
Nope. I never joined any of the tennis forums but I used to lurk. I'd be better suited to a tennis forum though, I know much more about tennis than I do music.