WTA Players

Justine Henin (BEL)

Justine Henin was born on June 1, 1982 in Liege, Belgium. Currently, she is ranked World No. 1. Henin has lifted 41 WTA titles to date, including seven Grand Slam titles (1 Australian Open, 4 French Open and 2 US Open).

Henin started playing tennis at a very young age. At age six, Henin joined the Tennis Club Ciney, her talent instantly discovered. In 1992, Henin’s mother took her to see the French Open final involving her idol Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. Although Graf lost, the experience impressed the young Henin, who apparently told her mother “One day I will play here and win.” In 1996, when she was 14 years old, Carlos Rodriguez began coaching her. Their partnership is still intact today.

Although she withdrew from Sydney and the Australian Open in 2007, causing her to lose her No.1 ranking to Maria Sharapova briefly, 2007 is considered one of the best years of her career. During the season, she dominated the WTA circuit – lifting ten titles, including two Grand Slam titles (Roland Garros and the US Open), and the year-end WTA Tour Championships. Henin finished the year, retaining her No.1 ranking.

Henin’s playing style is one of the most admired in tennis today. She is to the WTA, what Roger Federer is to the ATP circuit. John McEnroe has compared her, on more than one occasion, to Roger Federer, describing her tennis as “Federtennis.” At 5’ 5.5” (1.67m), Henin does not stand as tall as some of her other Top 10 counterparts, but what she lacks in height, she more than makes up for with her playing style. Largely considered one of the most technically brilliant tennis players on the WTA circuit; she can hit all fundamental shots with a high level of proficiency. She plays a very aggressive, yet highly versatile, all court game and her rare combination of power and finesse allow her to enjoy success on all surfaces (most notably on clay). Her single-handed backhand alone, now rare in both men’s and women’s tennis, is one of the best in the world, because of the shot variation and the winners she gets off this wing.

Ana Ivanovic (SRB)

Ana Ivanovic, born on November 6, 1987, in Belgrade, is a Serbian professional tennis player. Currently ranked No.2 in the World.

Ivanovic’s professional debut came in 2004. In 2005 she won her maiden title as a qualifier and reached the quarterfinals of the French Open. In 2006, Ivanovic produced a solid season and won the Rogers Cup in Montreal. In 2007, she took the WTA circuit by storm. In her breakthrough season, Ivanovic lifted three WTA titles – Berlin, Los Angeles and Luxembourg – and finished runner-up at the French Open (lost to Henin). She also reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon and the WTA Tour Championships.

In 2008, Ivanovic continued her high-flying form, finishing runner-up at the Australian Open and winning the Pacific Life Open.

Predominantly an offensive baseline player, Ivanovic relies heavily on the power, depth and placement of her forehand strokes. Off her right wing, she hits winners, typically flat shots, with occasional topspin. Her weakness is an inconsistent backhand shot, a serve, though forceful, fails her sometimes, and unreliable net play.

However, experts believe Ivanovic has the potential to become a complete player one day – even a dominating World No.1 force. Her playing style is suited to all surfaces.

Maria Sharapova (RUS)

Maria Yuryevna Sharápova, born April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Siberia, Russia, is professional tennis player and a former World No.1. Currently, she ranks No. 3 in the World. Sharapova burst on the scene in 2004 when she won the Wimbledon title at 17 years of age, beating Serena Williams in the final. To date, Sharapova has 19 titles, including three Grand Slam titles – Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

Sharapova turned professional in 2001, although she played just two WTA tournaments in 2001 and six challenger events in 2002. She became a full-time fixture on the WTA circuit in 2003, winning Tokyo [Japan Open], Québec City, ITF/Sea Island, GA-USA. The following year, in 2004, Sharapova enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning five titles, including Wimbledon and the Tour Championships. In 2005, she picked up another three titles, Tokyo [Pan Pacific], Doha, Birmingham and in 2006, she added Indian Wells, San Diego, US Open, Zürich and Linz to her growing list of crowns. In 2007, Sharapova suffered setbacks due to lingering shoulder injuries. The year was perhaps her most disheartening performance, but she managed to win one title in San Diego and finish runner-up in the Tour Championships (l. to Henin). In 2008, Sharapova returned in formidable form. Kicking of her season at the Australian Open, she produced one of the most dominating female performances in the tournaments history, and en route to claiming the title, she defeated Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic.

Sharapova’s promising career began at the age of four. When she was seven years old, she moved to the United States with her father to train in the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Her playing style is labeled as a power baseliner. More offensive than defensive-minded, Sharapova relies heavily on an aggressive game. Her double-handed right and left wing strokes and serve are noted for their power and placement. At 6ft 2” she is one of the tallest singles female players on the WTA circuit, and in spite of her height, her movement and agility on court are good.

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)

Svetlana Kuznetsova is a professional Russian tennis player, who is currently ranked World No.4. Born June 27, 1985 in St. Petersburg, Russia, Kuznetsova is a Grand Slam champion. She won the 2004 US Open. She also finished runner-up at the 2006 French Open and the 2007 US Open.

Kuznetsova comes from a family of athletes. Her father Alexandr Kuznetsov has coached five Olympic and world cycling champions. His protégés include her mother, Galina Tsareva, a six-time world champion and holder of 20 world records and brother, Nikolai Kuznetsov, a silver medallist at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Although she tried cycling in her early years, tennis was her sport of choice. Kuznetsova began playing tennis at age 7. At 13 years of age, she moved to Spain for better training and coaching. Currently she trains in the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona.

In 2007, Kuznetsova was one of the most consistent and standout players, producing the third and best Top 5 season of career, which was highlighted by reaching US Open final and reaching a career-high No.2 ranking. A good mover on court, she mainly plays a baseline game. Her strongest shot is her heavy forehand, which many consider one of the very best in women’s tennis.

Jelena Jankovic (SRB)

Jelena Jankovic is a Serbian professional tennis player. Born on February 28, 1985, Jankovic first began playing tennis when she was nine years old. She later moved to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy for better training and coaching. Her best results to date are semi-final appearances at the 2006 US Open, the 2007 French Open and 2008 Australian Open.

In 2007, Jankovic enjoyed a breakthrough season, culminating in her first Top 10 finish, highlighted by winning four career WTA titles -- Auckland, Charleston, Rome and Birmingham. She also lead the tour in match wins w/72 (next highest was Henin w/63).

Jankovic is regarded as one of the fittest and toughest players in recent years of women's tennis for her great defensive abilities and footwork, which classifies her as a counterpuncher. She is notable for her agility and her ability to slide on all surfaces. Her strength lies in consistent groundstroke’s and likes to go down the line more often than crosscourt.

Serena Williams (USA)

Serena Jameka Williams is an American professional tennis player and former World No.1. Currently she ranks No.6. Williams’s championship credentials are enviable, with eight Grand Slam titles (31 titles overall). She is also the last player, male or female, to have held all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously – 2002 Roland Garros, 2002 Wimbledon, 2002 US Open and 2003 Australian Open. In 2005, Tennis magazine ranked her as the 17th best player in the game over the last forty years. She is the younger sister of Venus Williams, also a former World No.1.

Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam title in 1999 – the US Open. She continued the momentum into 2000, largely held her breakthrough year, in spite of failing to defend her US Open crown, falling to Lindsay Davenport in the quarterfinal. Serena Williams came into her own in 2002 – a year she dominated the Grand Slam circuit. Her triumphant run began when she lifted the French Open crown and continued when she went on to lift the next three Grand Slam titles, before her perfect Grand Slam run was halted in the semi-final of the 2003 French Open. But She bounced back to win the 2003 Wimbledon title. Williams added the 2005 and 2007 Australian Open titles to her championship credentials.

Serena is primarily an offensive baseline player. She has one of the most powerful serves in women’s tennis and her aggressive game is comprised of forceful groundstroke’s.

Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)

Anna Djambulilovna Chakvetadze, born March 5, 1987, in Moscow, Russia is a Russian professional tennis player.

Chakvetadze began playing tennis at the age of eight. Her ITF debut came in November 2001. She qualified for her first Grand Slam event in 2004 at the US Open when she won three qualifying matches to enter the main draw. She reached the third round. To date her best Grand Slam result was the semifinal at the 2007 US Open. She is coached by her father Djambuli.

In 2007, Chakvetadze enjoyed her best season. She won four titles Hobart, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Cincinnati and Stanford and firmly established herself in the Top 10 (reaching a career high No.5). She reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, the third round of Wimbledon and the semi-final of the US Open.

Chakvetadze got off to slow start to her season in 2008. At the Australian Open, she fell in the third round. She picked up the Open Gaz de France title in Paris. Since then her season has seen her produce mixed results.

Venus Williams (USA)

Venus Ebony Starr Williams was born on June 17, 1980 and is an American professional tennis player. A former World No.1, Venus currently ranks No.7. Venus owns an enviable career; winning the 2000 Olympic gold medal in women’s tennis in Sydney and a staggering 14 Grand Slam titles, six singles, two mixed doubles and six women’s doubles. She is the older sister of Serena Williams. Venus Williams is noted for her power game (as is Serena Williams). Offensive-minded baseline player, Williams can hit winners from both wings. She is also a skilful serve-and-volley player, her biggest weapons are a powerful serve, and a two-handed backhand shot.

Venus began playing when she was four years old. She is coached by her father Richard. By the time she was 14 years-old, she was well known in tennis circles. She turned pro in 1994. She was an instant sensation. In 1997, Williams enjoyed her first breakthrough, finishing runner-up at the US Open. Her first Grand Slam title came in 2000, winning Wimbledon. She quickly followed up with a second Grand Slam title by winning the US Open in the same year. In 2001, she successfully defended both Grand Slam titles. In 2002, she reached three back-to-back Grand Slam finals– the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. Williams added to her championship credentials two more Wimbledon titles in 2005 and 2007.

Elena Dementieva (RUS)

Born October 15, 1981 in Moscow, Russia, Elena Dementieva's started playing tennis at a very young age. Both her parents were recreational tennis players. At the age of 7, Dementieva was enrolled in one of Moscow’s most eminent sports clubs - Spartak Club, where she was coached by Rauza Islanova, mother and trainer of Russian men's tennis great Marat Safin. At the age of 13, Dementieva played and won her first international tournament. On the domestic front, she enjoyed a lot of success in her junior years, usually winning or finishing runner-up. She was always among the top four women in her country.

In 2000, Dementieva, representing her country reached the Olympics final, but overwhelmed by a fierce competitor in the form of Venus Williams she finished runner-up. In 2004, Dementieva enjoyed one of her best seasons, reaching the final at the French Open and the US Open.

Dementieva is an athletic player with a powerful and aggressive baseline game. She is known for her outstanding offensive and defensive abilities and excellent shot placement. Her forehand in particular is a fearsome weapon due to the power and placement of the shot and her ability to flatten it out. However, her serve is very unreliable – actually considered one of the worst on the WTA Tour, especially in tight situations.

Daniela Hantuchova (SLO)

Born on April 24, 1983 in Poprad, Slovakia, Daniela Hantuchova is a Slovak professional tennis player. Her current ranking is No.9. To date her best Grand Slam result was a semi-final appearance at the 2008 Australian Open.

Overall, Hantuchova has won three WTA singles titles – including two Pacific Life Open titles. She speaks six languages and trained as a classical pianist. In 2007, after struggling for several years with low confidence, Hantuchova enjoyed an impressive comeback, considered among the best in the game, when she won the Indian Wells Masters singles title.

Hantuchova is an all-court player. Her game is built around natural timing. She harnesses and effortless power from fluid groundstroke’s and posses a sublime down-the- line forehand and backhand shot. Her weakness is mental frailty. It is not unusual to see her unravel during the course of a match.

Hantuchova’s career has been auspicious at best. Thought to be a perfectionist she puts a lot of pressure on herself during her training. At one time, she even lost a lot of weight, which lead to suspicions of anorexia.

Marion Bartoli (FRA)

Marion Bartoli (born October 2, 1984) is a French professional tennis player. Winner of three WTA titles to date and runner-up at the 2007 Wimbledon Championships, Bartoli is currently (as of March 24, 2008) the top-ranked Frenchwoman. She has been ranked as high as No. 9 in the world.

Bartoli is perhaps best known for her unorthodox style of play on court, namely her unusual serve motion. Largely influenced by Monica Seles, her style of play closely resembles her with the two handed forehand and backhand shot. She is generally classed as an aggressive and hard-hitting player.

Although she did not win any titles in 2007, Bartoli’s best season came that year, when she made her Grand Slam breakthrough. She stunned Justine Henin in the semi-final of Wimbledon, before finishing runner-up (l. to Venus Williams). On the heels of her Wimbledon performance, she cracked the Top 20.

Patty Schnyder (SUI)

Patty Schnyder (born December 14, 1978, in Basel, Switzerland) is professional female tennis player. She has been a feature on the WTA tour since the mid-1990s and is a former World No.7.

In juniors, she won the 1994 International Championships and was 1993 and 1994 Swiss Champion; competed in Continental Cup team competition in 1995. In 1996, Schnyder made her Grand Slam debut at the French Open. In 1997, she quickly rose up through the rankings, and by August 1998, she had entered the WTA Top 10. She received the award for the WTA Tour Most Improved Player. However, Schnyder fell out of the Top 10 in April 1999, and spent the next 6 years ranked in the 15-30 range before re-entering the Top 10 in May 2005. Highlighted in her career are significant wins over World No. 1 players.

Vera Zvonareva (RUS)

Vera Igorevna Zvonareva born on September 7, 1984, in Moscow, Russia, is a Russian professional tennis player. She began playing at the age of six and turned professional just before her 16th birthday.

High hopes preceded Zvonareva at the start of her career, but a tendency to be emotional, often breaking down during matches and crying, was seen as the reason why her results fell short of expectations. Her first and only Grand Slam success came with a quarterfinal appearance at the 2003 French Open, beating Venus Williams in the R16.

Overall, Zvonareva owns six career titles, her most recent title at the ECM Prague Open in 2008.

Agnes Szavay (HUN)

Hungarian professional tennis player, Agnes Szavay was born on December 29, 1988 in Kiskunhalas, Hungary. Currently she is the highest ranked Hungarian tennis player.

Agnes Szavay turned professional in 2004. She won her first WTA-level title in 2007 in Palermo. The victory pushed her into the Top 40. After reaching the final of the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament in New Haven, Szavay followed up with a quarterfinal appearance at the US Open. In Beijing, Szavay reached her second final of the year and defeated Jelena Jankovic to complete her victory.

Considered one of the tours promising young talents, Szavay’s favourite surfaces are clay and hard and her best shot is serve.

Agnieska Radwanska (POL)

Polish professional tennis player, Agnieszka Roma Radwanska was born March 6, 1989. The fast-rising teenager is considered one of the games promising talents.

In 2007, Radwanska enjoyed some breakthrough results. She became the first Polish woman to win a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles titles, defeating Vera Dushevina in straight sets in the Nordea Nordic Light Open final. But perhaps her most impressive performance came in the third round of the US Open, when she defeated defending champion Maria Sharapova 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.

In 2008, Radwanska became the first Polish woman during the open era to reach a grand slam quarterfinal.

Nicole Vaidisova (CZS)

Czech professional tennis player, Nicole Vaidisova, (born April 23, 1989) began playing tennis when she was six years old. She is another of many students at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

In 2003, Vaidisova made a strong debut on the professional circuit by reaching three consecutive finals. In 2004, she cracked the Top 100. Her debut at a Grand Slam event came the same year at the US Open; she lost in the opening round to defending champion Justine Henin 6-1, 6-1. In 2005, she lifted three titles Seoul, Tokyo [Japan Open] and Bangkok. It was considered her best year. She returned in 2006, to win another title in Strasbourg and reached the semi-final of the French Open.

In 2007, Vaidisova once again reached the semi-final of Grand Slam event – the Australian Open, lost to eventual champion Serena Williams.

Vaidisova is coached by her stepfather, Alex Kodat. Her serve is her biggest weapon. She has an all-court game.

Dinara Safina (RUS)

Born in Moscow, Russia, on April 27, 1986, Dinara Safina is a Russian professional tennis player and younger sister to former World No.1 Marat Safin. Dinara Safina won one Grand Slam title in women’s double tennis with her partner Nathalie Dechy.

Dinara Safina began playing tennis at a young age, coached by her mother Rauza Islanova at the Spartak tennis club in Moscow. In 2001, Safina turned professional. In the summer a year later, she broke into the top 100. She also won her first title in Sopot that same year. In 2003, she won her second WTA title in Palermo and reached the fourth round of the US Open. She broke into the top 50. In 2006, she enjoyed her best Grand Slam results with two quarterfinal appearances – the French Open and US Open. Currently she is coached by Glen Schapp. Overall, Safina owns five WTA singles titles.

Shahar Peer (ISR)

Shahar Peer (born May 1, 1987) in Jerusalem, Israel is a professional tennis player. Although she currently ranks No.18 in the World, she has been ranked as high as No.15.

Peer started playing tennis when she was six years old, she won her first junior title when she was 12. In 2004, Peer turned professional and a year later she qualified for her first main draw of a Grand Slam event, reaching the third round of both the French Open and the US Open. She ended the year in the top 50.

In 2006, Peer reached the fourth round of the French Open and the fourth round of the US Open. On the heels of her performance, she broke into the Top 20. In 2007, Peer had another, solid year that saw her reach two Grand Slam quarterfinals – the Australian Open and the Us Open.

Overall, Peer has lifted three WTA singles titles -- 2006 - Pattaya City, Prague and Istanbul. Peer is a regular fixture in Fed Cup action for Israel.

Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)

Amelie Mauresmo was born on July 5, 1979 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France. She is a former World No.1. Over her career, Mauresmo lifted 24 WTA titles, including two Grand Slam titles in 2006 – Australian Open and Wimbledon. Mauresmo has the dubious honour of being one of few tennis players, male or female, to have reached top ranking without first winning a Grand Slam title.

Mauresmo’s promising career began at the tender age of four. In 1993, she turned professional. In 1996, Mauresmo won both the junior French Open and Wimbledon titles. She was named the 1996 Junior World Champion by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Her first Grand Slam breakthrough came in 2001, when she reached the quarterfinal of the US Open. She carried the momentum in 2002, reaching the quarterfinal of the Australian Open; in the same year, she made back-to-back semi-final runs at Wimbledon and the US Open. In fact, from 2002 to 2005, in eleven of twelve Grand Slam events she contested, she reached no less than the quarterfinal stages, but her first triumph did not come until 2006.

As one of the top singles players for several years, Mauresmo has been criticised for taking such a long time to win a Grand Slam. Her mental strength was called into question after succumbing to nerves on big occasions.

Francesca Schiavone (ITA)

Italian professional tennis player, Francesca Schiavone was born on June 23, 1980, in Milan, Italy. Schiavone owns just one career WTA singles title, which she lifted in 2007, but she has reached the final in eight tournaments, six of these came in 2005. In 2006, she reached a career-high ranking of No.11. However, the win of her life came in 2008, a quarterfinal victory over Justine Henin in the Dubai Duty Free Women’s Open.

Schiavone turned professional in 1998. Her Grand Slam breakthrough came in 2001, when she reached the quarterfinal of the French Open. Her second quarterfinal Grand Slam appearance came two years later, at the US Open. To date, the two final eight runs are her best performances at a Grand Slam event. At Wimbledon, Schiavone has gone as far as the third round (2003) and the Australian Open saw her reach the fourth round in 2006.

Five Players To Watch

Viktoria Azarenka (BLR)

Viktoria Azarenka was born on July 31, 1989 in Minsk, Belarus. Azarenka started playing tennis when she was seven years old; she was introduced to the sport by her mother. No one else in her family plays tennis. She is coached by Antonio Van Grichen. Her favorite surface is hard. Her tennis idol is Roger Federer.

The teenager made a name for herself when she became the junior world champion in 2005. In 2007, Azarenka won the US Open mixed doubles title with her partner Max Mirnyi (together, they also finished runner-up in mixed doubles at the Australian Open). To date, her best Grand Slam performance is a third round appearance in both the Australian Open (2007-08) and the US Open (2007).

The 2008 season saw Azarenka, after starting the year ranked No.30 reach a career-high ranking of No.24, on the combined merit of her performance in Gold Coast, where she finished runner-up, and a third round appearance at the Australian Open.

Alyona Bondarenko (UKR)

Alyona Volodymyrivna Bondarenko, born on August 13, 1984 in Kryvyi Rih, Soviet Union, is a Ukrainian professional tennis player. She has a younger sister, Kateryna Bondarenko, who is also a professional tennis player on the WTA circuit.

Alyona Bondarenko started playing tennis at a young age. She turned pro when in 1999. Bondarenko made her Grand Slam debut at the 2005 Australian Open, where she suffered a first round loss to Elena Dementieva. To date her best result in a Grand Slam event is a third round appearance, which she reached in Wimbledon twice (2005 and 2007), once at the US Open (2007) and once at the Australian Open (2007).

In 2008, Alyona Bondarenko won the 2008 Australian Open doubles title with sister Kateryna, beating Viktoria Azarenka and Shahar Peer in the finals.

Dominika Cibulkova (SLO)

Slovak professional tennis player Dominika Cibulkova is another up-and-comer on the WTA circuit. The Slovak teenager was born in Bratislava on May, 6, 1989. She began playing tennis at the age of seven. She turned professional in 2005. At 5ft 3 ½ inches, (1.61m), Cibulkova does not stand as tall as the majority of the playing field in women’s tennis; but what she lacks in height, she more than makes up for with a big game. She lists clay and hard as her favorite surfaces and has thus far proved to be proficient on both. She admires retired tennis player Kim Clijsters the most.

In 2007, Cibulkova qualified for her first Grand Slam main draw at the French Open, reaching the third round in her debut, where she lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

In 2008, Cibulkova got her season off to a solid start, reaching the quarterfinal of the Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourts in Gold Coast, where she lost to Viktoria Azarenka. In Doha, a Tier I event, Cibulkova recorded thus far the biggest win of her career when she upset Venus Williams in the third round. Although she lost in the quarterfinal to Agnieszka Radwanska, it appeared Cibulkova was poised for further success. It came in Amelia Island, where she reached her first-ever WTA final, finishing runner-up to Maria Sharapova.

Alize Cornet (FRA)

Alize Cornet, born on January 22, 1990, in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France is a professional tennis player. Cornet began playing tennis at the age of four. She is coached by her mother. Predominantly a baseline player whose favorite shot is backhand; she lists her clay as her favorite surface. She also lists Andy Roddick as the tennis player she most admires.

Cornet made her Grand Slam debut at the French Open in 2005, where she reached the second round. (To date, this is her best result at a Grand Slam). In 2008, Cornet reached the second round of the Australian Open where she lost to eventual semi-finalist Daniela Hantuchova. Over the following months, Cornet posted some level of successes on the main tour, reaching the final in Acapulco and back-to-back semi-finals in Amelia Island and Charleston (a Tier I event).

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)

Caroline Wozniacki was born on July 11, 1990 in Odense, Denmark. Being born to Polish parents, she is trilingual, fluent in Polish, Danish and English. She is a professional tennis player, who turned pro in 2005. Currently, she is the only Danish player who ranks in the top 500 on the WTA tour. On the junior circuit, Wozniacki claimed several tournament titles, including winning the 2006 Wimbledon juniors singles titles and the 2005 Orange Bowl Tennis Championships. She also finished runner-up in the 2006 Australian Open junior singles.

In 2008, Wozniacki (who started the year ranked No.64) became the fastest rising star on the circuit, after she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, her best Grand Slam result thus far, and the quarterfinal of Doha (a Tier I event). Both performances combined for enough ranking points to carry the teenager into the Top 50 (No. 43 to be exact).