YSL 01/01/23 - A WTA cocktail of optimism and trepidation in the new year

 I've written here in the past about MMA, the NFL and a little on my first, true original love of football so it's really time I devoted at least one piece to the fourth sport I follow - women's tennis. Even when I was a boy I preferred women's tennis to men's. Perhaps it's because I was always a sceptic and an asshole contrarian who instinctively refused to believe that Tim Henman was anything particularly special contra to the media narrative, but I would always pay close attention when the women played.

The emergence of contemporary foxes like Martina Hingis and Anna Kournikova certainly helped but the player who really caught my attention and defined what attracted me to the sport was Justine Henin. She could move and play every shot with preternatural grace and elegance, flowing across the court as she would systematically break down her opponents with her signature one hand backhand. 

Henin does not seem to be held in the same kind of high regard by the most vocal online tennis fans who tend to be devotees of Serena Williams. True sports fans have long memories and they resent henin for a supposedly unsportsmanlike gesture she made at Roland Garros in 2003 during an extremely tight semi-final match the two played. Henin would go on to win the title that year, her first of seven majors. 

While there's no denying Williams' unparalleled brilliance in the women's game, her power-based style never really appealed to me. It's a combination of the beauty in motion and creativity represented by Henin that won me over and is also why I generally prefer watching the women to the men, at least in tennis. The drama that almost always follows is added spice. 

In the past three years, tennis has been beset by schedule and rankings chaos caused by a mysterious virus of unspecified origin. For the women, this was compounded by the rank incompetence of the WTA, the women's professional tour. After Peng Shuai was detained by the Communist government in China, the WTA made the decision to withdraw from that country. My belief then and now is that it had a lot less to do with principles than the practical concern that China had closed their borders at a time the WTA had structured their entire fall schedule around access to multiple cities. 

Just two years later I feel vindicated - The WTA will be returning to China in 2023 and the borders have duly been opened. No promises were ever made regarding Peng Shuai's safety but the WTA was flailing and that's what's really important here. For what it's worth, I think Peng is safe and "free" to live her life as long as she does not resurface the sexual assault allegations that initially landed her in trouble - certain players who are quick to point fingers at America would do well to take note and appreciate the liberty they are afforded. 

How will 2023 unfold for some of my favorite players? More after the jump.

DANIELLE COLLINS

Country: USA

Age: 29

Current ranking: 14

Career High Ranking: 7

2022 record: 21-12

2022 started great for Collins as she made her way to her first grand slam final at the Australian Open but the rest of it unfolded in fits and starts, marred by niggling injuries and her rheumatoid arthritis. She is ready to go in 2023 however, I choose to be optimistic and don't see why she shouldn't be considered a threat at every tournament she plays. Characterized by her passion, winning personality and backhand down the line she may have slipped to American #4 but she remains the most unique presence they have to offer on the court.

CAMILA GIORGI

Country: Italy

Age: 30

Current ranking: 67

Career High Ranking: 26

2022 record: 16-16

Winning her first Tier 1 title in 2021 was always going to be difficult to replicate For GOATmila as she's known to her fans. While last season did not go how we may ahve hoped for her, she remain unflappable and effortlessly stylish. Some might consider being investigated for utilising falsified covid shot documents to be a cloud hanging over her heading into 2023 but it's judging by her reels she gives as many fucks as she watches women's tennis matches. This season whether she may win or lose I look forward to her continuing to hit with a clear mind, bright eyes and an ice cold heart. 

KATERINA SINIAKOVA

Country: Czechia

Age: 26

Current ranking: 47

Career High Ranking: 31

2022 record: 28-21

While Katka continues to go gangbusters building her resume as an all-time great doubles player, loyal fans continue to patiently await her singles breakthrough. 2022 finally saw her end her main tour title drought as she bested Wimbledon champion Rybakina in Portoroz but having seen her partner Barbora Krejčíková overhaul her, win Roland Garros and break into the top 5, we know there must be more for Siniaková to achieve. Her wild and distinctive hair reflects her expressive and eccentric playing style and on-court antics that bonded me to her in fandom forever more. While I fear she may continue to frustrate me, as with Collins I choose to be optimistic and believe she can, she will make it to her first major quarter final this year.

DAYANA YASTREMSKA

Country: Ukraine

Age: 22

Current ranking: 101

Career High Ranking: 21

2022 record: 21-25

So often a font of controversy and drama in the past, Yastremska has largely steered clear of the anti-Russian activism that many of her compatriots have been waging in the last year, despite actually having been forced to flee the guns of war unlike those such as Svitolina and Kostyuk who chose to make new lives elsewhere long before that march began anew. That said, I can't be optimistic about her chances in 2023. She continues to drift backwards in ehr development and does not strike the ball with the same kind of fearless abandon she once did and while she has always been wire lean she seems depleted now. Perhaps that's understandable given her circumstances and we can only hope things will change for the better before too long.

SOFIA KENIN

Country: USA

Age: 24

Current ranking: 228

Career High Ranking: 4

2022 record: 10-17

After protracted struggles with injuries and personal turmoil, I was encouraged watching Sonya compete in Toronto against Sloane Stephens where she exhibited flashes of brilliance, blending the vision and deft angles we knew she was capable of with exhilirating venom on her winners. Alas, the fact she lost should have been a tip that it was a false dawn. She remains in some kind of limbo, not quite able to break back through the door to her former life. When Kenin was on the rise and people were talking about her being a top twenty player, I declared she had what it took to be a grand slam champion so I feel staked to her. I believe she will come back from this depth - it may jsut take a little longer than this year as she finds herself again.

EMMA RADUCANU

Country: She's one of ours

Age: 20

Current ranking: 78

Career High Ranking: 10

2022 record: 17-20

I was only going to do five of these but having watched Marcus Rashford's resurgence with his excellent goal for Manchester United against Wolves on New Year's Eve, I do have something to say - it was plainly obvious to all honest brokers that Rashford's descent into the celebrity subculture was a major factor behind the slump in form that led to speculation he would be jettisoned from United after the 22/23 season. A change in management and professional expectations have set him back on the tracks moving in the right direction and the results have been immediate. For Sweet Emma, some would write off her 2021 US Open title as a fluke but I still believe the fundamentals in terms of skill and athleticism are there. Time to knock off the distractions - or at least find the right balance while she reestablishes herself. I think this also applies to Yastremska. This is not me saying "stay in your lane", it's really a case of "What is your lane?". If it's tennis, that has to come first - always.

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