2019 WTA Clay Season Preview:It's Anyone's Game!
Before delving into my predictions of which women will leave the competition in the (red) dust this clay
court season, I want to stress the truly foolish nature of this endeavor by listing a number of events
which would be of equal or lesser difficulty to predict.
court season, I want to stress the truly foolish nature of this endeavor by listing a number of events
which would be of equal or lesser difficulty to predict.
- deciding what numbers will win the lottery
- [predicting the precise location and time when lighting will strike
- figuring out the exact moment and cause of your death
Before you say this list is pure hyperbole, get this: in 2019, all the 18 of the WTA tournaments
have been won by different women. This is an unprecedented level of cuckoo even when
one considers the state the WTA Tour has been in for the past 4 years or so, which has seen a
revolving door of players go in form and then suddenly out of form with more peaks and valleys
than a Petra Kvitova match.
have been won by different women. This is an unprecedented level of cuckoo even when
one considers the state the WTA Tour has been in for the past 4 years or so, which has seen a
revolving door of players go in form and then suddenly out of form with more peaks and valleys
than a Petra Kvitova match.
One thing that’s been consistent on the WTA?: Kerber’s salty attitude after losing.
Naturally, the WTA, has framed this madness as historic and something to be celebrated.
But one has to wonder if this unpredictability is truly a sign of depth or a sign of chaotic instability.
You certainly do not want the winner of every tournament to be a foregone conclusion.
That’s what has made men’s tennis pretty boring over the past decade. But you also want to see
some modicum of consistency at the top so that compelling rivalries and story lines can develop,
and so that the later rounds of grand slams aren’t being contested between two relative unknowns
who generate very little interest.
But one has to wonder if this unpredictability is truly a sign of depth or a sign of chaotic instability.
You certainly do not want the winner of every tournament to be a foregone conclusion.
That’s what has made men’s tennis pretty boring over the past decade. But you also want to see
some modicum of consistency at the top so that compelling rivalries and story lines can develop,
and so that the later rounds of grand slams aren’t being contested between two relative unknowns
who generate very little interest.
Polona Hercog vs. Lesia Tsurenko. A French Open semi coming near you (?)
So without further ado, here are the players poised to biggest noise on the clay this season...
barring injury, unexpected coaching changes,Sudden Unexpected Collapse of Composure
Syndrome (or SUCCS) or any other form of fuckery which has beset players with any sort of
momentum in the past several years. I am framing these predictions as questions so as not to
look foolish when none of these come true.
Serena?
barring injury, unexpected coaching changes,Sudden Unexpected Collapse of Composure
Syndrome (or SUCCS) or any other form of fuckery which has beset players with any sort of
momentum in the past several years. I am framing these predictions as questions so as not to
look foolish when none of these come true.
Serena?
Let’s start with the biggest question (or, at least, question mark): Miss Serena Williams.
We could talk about how she has not won a title she’s returning back from giving birth. We could
talk about the bizarre mental collapses that she has had in the past three Grand Slams, including
most recently at the Australian Open where she somehow managed to lose to Karolina Pliskova
despite being up 5-1 and having several match points.
We could talk about how she has not won a title she’s returning back from giving birth. We could
talk about the bizarre mental collapses that she has had in the past three Grand Slams, including
most recently at the Australian Open where she somehow managed to lose to Karolina Pliskova
despite being up 5-1 and having several match points.
We could also talk about this..but we won’t because SHE’S A MOTHER!
But truly the most alarming thing about Serena’s 2019 season has been how little she’s played: of the
three tournaments she’s played in 2019, she has completed one of them.
One. She pulled out of Indian Wells with a mysterious viral illness, and then pulled out after
one round in Miami with a knee injury that seemed to come out of nowhere. If this lack of match
play seems concerning, what sets off more red flags is the fact that she plans to play only
one tournament before the French Open. Again, just one. That tournament is Rome, which
she has won 4 times.
three tournaments she’s played in 2019, she has completed one of them.
One. She pulled out of Indian Wells with a mysterious viral illness, and then pulled out after
one round in Miami with a knee injury that seemed to come out of nowhere. If this lack of match
play seems concerning, what sets off more red flags is the fact that she plans to play only
one tournament before the French Open. Again, just one. That tournament is Rome, which
she has won 4 times.
One the one hand, we could say that none of this stuff matters. It’s Serena.
It’s been noted ad nauseum that the rules of preparation and form do not apply to her.
On the other hand, one has to wonder if her incredibly light schedule means that she’s
a.) seriously injured or unwell or b.) unconcerned with Roland Garros and is instead saving herself for
Wimbledon where she'd have a better chance of winning.
It’s been noted ad nauseum that the rules of preparation and form do not apply to her.
On the other hand, one has to wonder if her incredibly light schedule means that she’s
a.) seriously injured or unwell or b.) unconcerned with Roland Garros and is instead saving herself for
Wimbledon where she'd have a better chance of winning.
Prediction: Clay is Serena’s worst surface...but saying that doesn’t mean much.
She’s won the French Open 3 times and had a substantial winning streak on clay a few years ago.
If she plays, and is healthy, she as much a favorite as anyway else, especially with the way draws
tend to fall apart these days. Given her light schedule and vague injury concerns though,
I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t play at all, and if we don’t see Serena until the tour hits the
lawns of Wimbledon.
She’s won the French Open 3 times and had a substantial winning streak on clay a few years ago.
If she plays, and is healthy, she as much a favorite as anyway else, especially with the way draws
tend to fall apart these days. Given her light schedule and vague injury concerns though,
I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t play at all, and if we don’t see Serena until the tour hits the
lawns of Wimbledon.
Can Naomi Make it 3 In a Row?
The current world number 1, reigning Australian Open and US Open champion, and flirty social media
user, shocked the tennis world when she announced that she was parting ways with her coach
Sascha Bajin. Although many credit Bajin with helping Osaka discipline her powerful game, Osaka’s
many interviews on the topic seem to call his true level of influence into question. We’ll probably never
know exactly why they split, but one thing we do know: since the Australian Open, Osaka’s win-loss
record is 3-3. The controlled aggression and shotmaking that took her to two consecutive Grand Slam
titles has been replaced with wild errors and the sense that she isn’t sure of how to deal with the
pressure and expectations of being tennis’ new It Girl. Granted, a trend in Osaka’s career thus
far has been to follow big results with mediocre ones. But to suddenly come out of a slump and
deal with the weight of expectation on a surface she’s not 100% comfortable on with? That’ll be a
big ask.
user, shocked the tennis world when she announced that she was parting ways with her coach
Sascha Bajin. Although many credit Bajin with helping Osaka discipline her powerful game, Osaka’s
many interviews on the topic seem to call his true level of influence into question. We’ll probably never
know exactly why they split, but one thing we do know: since the Australian Open, Osaka’s win-loss
record is 3-3. The controlled aggression and shotmaking that took her to two consecutive Grand Slam
titles has been replaced with wild errors and the sense that she isn’t sure of how to deal with the
pressure and expectations of being tennis’ new It Girl. Granted, a trend in Osaka’s career thus
far has been to follow big results with mediocre ones. But to suddenly come out of a slump and
deal with the weight of expectation on a surface she’s not 100% comfortable on with? That’ll be a
big ask.
Prediction: Expect poor results in the lead up events and an early-ish exit at the French Open (unless she gets a quite favorable draw which allows her to build up confidence).
Will the Reigning French Open Champion (Simona Halep) Reign
Supreme on Clay this Season?
Supreme on Clay this Season?
Short answer: no. Long answer: no... with a but. Nothing about Simona’s 2019 suggests that she is
going to have a particularly spectacular clay court season, even though this is consistently the best
part of the year for her. She hasn’t really had any terrible loses this year, but she doesn’t seem to
be playing with any real intensity or urgency. Maybe being back in Europe and on a surface she
loves will awaken the kind of form that took her to the French Open crown last year to (finally) win
her first major.
going to have a particularly spectacular clay court season, even though this is consistently the best
part of the year for her. She hasn’t really had any terrible loses this year, but she doesn’t seem to
be playing with any real intensity or urgency. Maybe being back in Europe and on a surface she
loves will awaken the kind of form that took her to the French Open crown last year to (finally) win
her first major.
Prediction: Expect solid results during the lead up to the French Open. With a good draw, she could go
deep in the French Open, and then it’s anybody’s guess.
deep in the French Open, and then it’s anybody’s guess.
Young Blood!
The one highlight of this season has been seeing young players really step up and make some
noise.And by that I am not just referring to Aryna Sabalenka frantic howling.
noise.And by that I am not just referring to Aryna Sabalenka frantic howling.
Belinda Bencic is the most accomplished of any of the youngins that will be mentioned in this section.
She’s a former top ten player who’s won a Tier 1 title (Toronto..I refuse even to this day to call them
“Premier Mandatory” events).. After struggling to find form after various injuries, she has had
undoubtedly her most solid season in 4 years, beating a billion top 10 players to win in Dubai and
making the semifinals of Indian Wells.
She’s a former top ten player who’s won a Tier 1 title (Toronto..I refuse even to this day to call them
“Premier Mandatory” events).. After struggling to find form after various injuries, she has had
undoubtedly her most solid season in 4 years, beating a billion top 10 players to win in Dubai and
making the semifinals of Indian Wells.
Prediction: Bencic’s clean, flat strokes don’t exactly scream “clay court success.” Nor does the fact
that she lost to world number 163 Antonia Lottner in the first round of a clay court event in Lugano
last week. Since coming back from injury, her seasons have been full of ups and downs: just when
you think she’s back she slumps again. Expect this clay season to be another dip in form.
that she lost to world number 163 Antonia Lottner in the first round of a clay court event in Lugano
last week. Since coming back from injury, her seasons have been full of ups and downs: just when
you think she’s back she slumps again. Expect this clay season to be another dip in form.
With her bombastic groundstrokes, sharp net play, and gritty on-court demeanor many thought we
were seeing the rise of a future star with Aryna Sabalenka. Emboldened by her success at the
end of last year, her coach even started recklessly saying that she would revolutionize the game like
Serena and Monica Seles.
were seeing the rise of a future star with Aryna Sabalenka. Emboldened by her success at the
end of last year, her coach even started recklessly saying that she would revolutionize the game like
Serena and Monica Seles.
Mull over that prediction a bit longer, Dmitry.
Her 2019 results have brought expectations back down to reality.
She hasn’t had a particularly bad year, but she hasn’t lived up to the hype that she was
getting (perhaps prematurely) at the end of last year. After being considered one of the
favorites to win the Australian Open, she was destroyed by 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova
in the third round.
She hasn’t had a particularly bad year, but she hasn’t lived up to the hype that she was
getting (perhaps prematurely) at the end of last year. After being considered one of the
favorites to win the Australian Open, she was destroyed by 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova
in the third round.
Prediction: She doesn’t have much of a clay court resume to base predictions off of. Her heavy,
powerful strokes could do her well on the surface (a la Dominic Thiem), but her error prone game
won’t do her any favors. Also worth noting: she’s apparently only playing two events before the
French Open. Decent results in the lead up events seem likely, but don’t expect her to beat anyone
who’s in form.
powerful strokes could do her well on the surface (a la Dominic Thiem), but her error prone game
won’t do her any favors. Also worth noting: she’s apparently only playing two events before the
French Open. Decent results in the lead up events seem likely, but don’t expect her to beat anyone
who’s in form.
Bianca Andreescu’s run to the Indian Wells title this March might have seemed to come out of
nowhere. But the 18-year-old Canadian had been racking up an impressive season in the first two
months of the year, and was one of the tour leaders in match wins before her performance in the
desert. There she beat four top 20 players with a dazzling mix of variety, aggressive baseline tennis,
and drama queen antics.
nowhere. But the 18-year-old Canadian had been racking up an impressive season in the first two
months of the year, and was one of the tour leaders in match wins before her performance in the
desert. There she beat four top 20 players with a dazzling mix of variety, aggressive baseline tennis,
and drama queen antics.
Sorry. Had to reference this gem again.
Prediction:Unlike many of her older, more experienced counterparts, she seems to embrace the big
stage and is willing to grind it out. This, combined with her penchant for high, loopy balls and drop
shots, could serve her well on clay. However, even more so than Sabalenka, she doesn’t have much
of a history on clay to go off of. Last year, she played only two events on clay and had a record of 3-2.
Mediocre results with perhaps one deep finish is what I’m predicting from her this clay season.
stage and is willing to grind it out. This, combined with her penchant for high, loopy balls and drop
shots, could serve her well on clay. However, even more so than Sabalenka, she doesn’t have much
of a history on clay to go off of. Last year, she played only two events on clay and had a record of 3-2.
Mediocre results with perhaps one deep finish is what I’m predicting from her this clay season.
Ashleigh Barty has been one of the most consistent players on the tour for the past couple of years.
That by itself doesn’t mean very much when you consider the state the tour is in. But it does bode well
for her chances if everyone else falters!
That by itself doesn’t mean very much when you consider the state the tour is in. But it does bode well
for her chances if everyone else falters!
Prediction: Her beautiful topspiny forehand helped her win Miami, and could prove to be difficult
to deal with on clay….even though she hasn’t had a long history of success on the surface.
(This it seems is a trend among the young guard). If she brings her hard court confidence onto the
clay, there’s no reason she wouldn’t be able to make some deep runs and meaningfully be a
contender for the French Open if her draw is favorable.
to deal with on clay….even though she hasn’t had a long history of success on the surface.
(This it seems is a trend among the young guard). If she brings her hard court confidence onto the
clay, there’s no reason she wouldn’t be able to make some deep runs and meaningfully be a
contender for the French Open if her draw is favorable.
ANNND The Rest…
Sorry Sloane.
It’s certainly possible, and in fact quite probable, that none of the names mentioned above will be
holding La Coupe Suzanne Lenglen come June. Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber, Caroline
Wozniacki have had semi-highs and definite lows this year. It’s hard to read where their form is
from week to week because it considerably changes from week to week. Kvitova, this year’s
Australian Open finalist, is leading the live rankings and is quite a talented clay court player.
It wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility to see her rack up a couple of titles and go deep in
the French Open. But it also wouldn’t be surprising to see her have a mediocre clay season
followed by an early loss in Paris. Shrug..
holding La Coupe Suzanne Lenglen come June. Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber, Caroline
Wozniacki have had semi-highs and definite lows this year. It’s hard to read where their form is
from week to week because it considerably changes from week to week. Kvitova, this year’s
Australian Open finalist, is leading the live rankings and is quite a talented clay court player.
It wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility to see her rack up a couple of titles and go deep in
the French Open. But it also wouldn’t be surprising to see her have a mediocre clay season
followed by an early loss in Paris. Shrug..
Last year’s finalist Sloane Stephens said after her recent loss in Charleston that
“tired of fucking losing.” Those are good words to hear from someone who often seems like she
couldn’t be bothered to care about this tennis thing. But considering that she only consistently
brings her best for Grand Slams, it stands to reason that she’s going to have to deal with some
more trademark random loses for the next month or so. Her compatriot and good friend
Madison Keys recently won on the green clay in Charleston and did well to make the semifinals of
the French Open last year. Could this be the moment for her to put it all together and win that maiden
slam title? Given her inconsistency, not likely.
“tired of fucking losing.” Those are good words to hear from someone who often seems like she
couldn’t be bothered to care about this tennis thing. But considering that she only consistently
brings her best for Grand Slams, it stands to reason that she’s going to have to deal with some
more trademark random loses for the next month or so. Her compatriot and good friend
Madison Keys recently won on the green clay in Charleston and did well to make the semifinals of
the French Open last year. Could this be the moment for her to put it all together and win that maiden
slam title? Given her inconsistency, not likely.
Kiki Bertens was one of the most impressive players last year and is a strong clay court player.
But she's done nothing of note in 2019. Elina Svitolina has had brief glimpses of form and always
peaks for Rome. But her essentially defensive game always leaves her vulnerable to
in-form players who aren’t missing.
But she's done nothing of note in 2019. Elina Svitolina has had brief glimpses of form and always
peaks for Rome. But her essentially defensive game always leaves her vulnerable to
in-form players who aren’t missing.
38-year-old Venus Williams has been somewhat steady, but hasn’t shown that she can hang in
there with top players round after round. Maria Sharapova has pulled out of her beloved Stuttgart
and very well might not be healthy enough to play at all on clay. Not that she would really be a real
factor anyway given her form since coming back from a drug suspension.
there with top players round after round. Maria Sharapova has pulled out of her beloved Stuttgart
and very well might not be healthy enough to play at all on clay. Not that she would really be a real
factor anyway given her form since coming back from a drug suspension.
So, really we are left with a field that is either partially in form, not in form at all, or injured.
This should make for some interesting and characteristically kooky tennis for the next two months.
Buckle in WTA fans and watch this “historically” insane streak continue. 18 and counting!
This should make for some interesting and characteristically kooky tennis for the next two months.
Buckle in WTA fans and watch this “historically” insane streak continue. 18 and counting!
Oh shit. This is actually going to be the final, isn’t it.
Comments
Post a Comment