Eight Healthy Women Vie for WTA Singles Championships

Written by: Staff on 26th October 2010

Eight Healthy Women Vie for WTA Singles Championships |

With so many marquee names absent from the WTA Championships that begin today in Doha and experienced campaigners Elena Dementieva and Jelana Jankovic beginning the event with dubious fitness levels, world no.1 Caroline Wozniacki is the pick of many experienced observers to win the title.

The 20 year-old Dane is in the spotlight this week, primarily because she is the latest player to top the women’s world rankings without yet having won a major title. The debate over the rights and wrongs of the system are something outside of Wozniacki’s control but though she tries to shrug it off with that characteristic smile, it is clearly something of which she is aware.

“I really don’t think about it too much but it’s great to see my name at the top of the rankings,” maintains Wozniacki who is currently experiencing the same credibility examination as Jankovic and Dinara Safina.

“I’ve had a really great season so far and won six tournaments, and I’m really pleased about the way I’ve been playing. It’s definitely a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl to reach the number one ranking and that it’s happened already is a really nice feeling.”

At least Wozniacki has not been forced to endure the same verbal volleys from the absent Serena Williams to those that Safina was subjected during her tenure of the no.1 spot. But Kim Clijsters, who also got to top spot without winning a Grand Slam but has now won back to back U.S. Opens, is ready to jump to her Doha rival’s defense.

“She brings beautiful tennis, I think, to the tour,” said Clijsters. “And she’s definitely a great player. She’s showed to the tennis world that she belongs up there. She plays a lot of tournaments which in the future, as she gets a little older, she will change.”

Weather conditions, with day-time temperatures nudging up towards 40 degrees Centigrade, mean physical conditioning is an issue but after suffering body cramps when playing the Championships in Doha last year, Wozniacki maintains she is better prepared.

“Over the last 12 months I think I’ve improved physically and in my game, a little bit on everything,” she says. “The experience I’ve gained has done a lot. I’ve been playing really well and I believe I can beat anyone on a good day, but it’s not going to be easy. To win a Grand Slam you need to win seven matches in a row, so it’s tough but I believe it’s possible.”

Topics: Campaigners, Caroline Wozniacki, Cramps, Day Time, Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva, Fitness Levels, Grand Slam, Jelana Jankovic, Kim Clijsters, Little Girl, Marquee Names, Nice Feeling, Observers, Serena Williams, Tennis World, Time Temperatures, Volleys, Weather Conditions, Wta Championships