Part-time: unfair advantage?
April 2010 | by Monticelli
Serena
and Venus Williams have, for some years, only been part-time players
but have impressed at those high profile events they attend.
But certain Belgiums have taken a leaf out of their book by truning up fit and fresh for the big tournaments, and proving that this approach can be a big hit.
For example, Kim Clijsters showed what an ace she is by capturing the 2009 US Open.
Full-time players with high expectations on the WTA Tour have fallen off the top100 radar during the retirements and reappearance of Clijsters and compatriot Justine Henin.
Undoubtably the philosophy of the Williams sisters (pictured) is the best long-outcome, with the pair always refusing to play in tournaments when injured just to please a promoter and/or sponsor, as well as the Americans seemingly not worried about their respective world ranking points and financial prizes on offer.
However, Clijsters' 2010 Miami final thrashing of Venus Williams in under an hour showed that the Belgium is a huge threat to the rest of the WTA Tour.
Younger
players should follow the lead of great players like Clijsters (pictured), Henin
and the Williams sisters, otherwise they will fall by the wayside and
end up playing without any motivation like Amelie Mauresmo did towards
the end of her career.
After the French ace surprised critics, herself and players alike by winning Wimbledon, she became plagued with injuries and illness to such an extent that it became a chore to be playing on the WTA Tour.
Even at Eastbourne's 2009 AEGON International, the normally amiable Mauresmo was refusing to sign autographs at Devonshire Park. One of the many factors that pointed towards her obviously lacking the same love and motivation she had for the sport that made her a multi-millionairess.
And Ana Ivanovic was another who was hit by a string of injuries and tinkering of coaches after she captured the French Open on the testing clay courts in Paris. She shows little chance of ever winning a major tournament again.
While Martina Hengis completely vanished off the circuit following foot injuries and other factors that resulted in the former world No1 being banned from the WTA Tour. Whether the 'Swiss Miss' will ever contemplate another hit at winning a grand slam event remains to be seen.
But
hopefully, recent Eastbourne champions - such as Agniezka Radwanska and
Caroline Wozniacki - will start to become more choosy with their hectic
schedules and concentrate on only entering events that they can win.
Other ex-Eastbourne champions should wow the crowds at Devonshire Park for the 2010 AEGON International. With Henin's biggest aim to capture the 2010 Wimbledon crown, it would be surprising not to see her compete at Eastbourne.
Meanwhile Clijsters, a grass court expert, is carefully picking her wildcard events with warm-up tournaments before Grand Slams then Eastbourne was an obvious choice. Although she can expect some stiff competition in June 2010.
The normally amiable Amelie Mauresmo was refusing to sign autographs at Devonshire Park
- Monticelli
Top 20 at Eastbourne
Although Eastbourne has played host to many former grand slam champions, not all of them have been impressive on Devonshire Park's fast grass courts.
Arguably Martina Navratilova (pictured)was the greatest player to ever grace Eastbourne's windy Centre Court. Click for feature
But there have been some superstars who have not won the tournament, while other big names have succeeded. Click here for feature on best-known players ever to play Eastbourne