Comments on: DOHA DAMES: CLIJSTERS-FREE FINAL 8 SET FOR WTA YEAR END CHAMPIONSHIPS http://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/ Tennis blog. Tennis news. Tennis gossip. Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:22:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: MarKhttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10795 MarK Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:11:23 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10795 Maybe she can't. Maybe she will never play that well again in her life. Or maybe she will win all four Slams next year. Who knows? The future is irrelevant for this discussion. The winners of Slams should be in the season-ending tournament. Maybe she can’t. Maybe she will never play that well again in her life. Or maybe she will win all four Slams next year. Who knows? The future is irrelevant for this discussion. The winners of Slams should be in the season-ending tournament.

]]> By: SJhttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10794 SJ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:28:07 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10794 It would be unfair not only to Jelena but also the other players if Clijsters was in Doha, she would be the freshest player by far in Doha and she would have an unfair adavantage after only playing four events this year, yes grand slam winners should automatically qualify but only if they have played a full year and to be honest Clijsters was playing some of her best ever tennis during the US open and she didn't look nearly as good against Patty Schnyder in Luxembourg and got off lightly being beaten in 3 sets, it remains to be seen whether she can play at or near the same level of play that she showed at the US open. It would be unfair not only to Jelena but also the other players if Clijsters was in Doha, she would be the freshest player by far in Doha and she would have an unfair adavantage after only playing four events this year, yes grand slam winners should automatically qualify but only if they have played a full year and to be honest Clijsters was playing some of her best ever tennis during the US open and she didn’t look nearly as good against Patty Schnyder in Luxembourg and got off lightly being beaten in 3 sets, it remains to be seen whether she can play at or near the same level of play that she showed at the US open.

]]> By: MarKhttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10787 MarK Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:42:31 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10787 Imagine a top-ranked player A decisively winning the Australian Open while not losing a single set. Then, because of injury or family reasons, A is unable to compete for the next 8 months and loses a bunch of points falling all the way to fifteenth in the rankings. In October, A finally comes back strong and dominates everyone again, quickly improving to number 9. Are you saying that A who is clearly the best player on the planet does not deserve to be in the YEC because others played more tournaments? To me, that is nonsense. All Slam winners of that year should be automatically qualified for the event. Imagine a top-ranked player A decisively winning the Australian Open while not losing a single set. Then, because of injury or family reasons, A is unable to compete for the next 8 months and loses a bunch of points falling all the way to fifteenth in the rankings. In October, A finally comes back strong and dominates everyone again, quickly improving to number 9. Are you saying that A who is clearly the best player on the planet does not deserve to be in the YEC because others played more tournaments? To me, that is nonsense. All Slam winners of that year should be automatically qualified for the event.

]]> By: Sukihttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10786 Suki Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:13:35 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10786 As much as I admire Clijsters, I don't think she belongs in this year's Doha 8. Sure, she won the US Open after being away for a while, but like Ryan said, the other players have been slugging it out for an entire year. They played all season, built up their points and earned their spots. Dissing Jankovic to give Clijsters a wild card for the last spot would've been a slap in the face for JJ. The year-end championship slots are reserved for the best players of the season. Although I think the WTA ranking system is flawed, it is the only official and objective way of determining "the best" (whether they are the "real" best or not) in the WTA. My understanding of "extraordinary circumstance" is if they can't get enough players to qualify. Like if all the players after #7 fall way behind and have no way of earning enough points to get in. Anyway, the season's almost over. I can't wait for next season, when the WTA gets interesting. As much as I admire Clijsters, I don’t think she belongs in this year’s Doha 8. Sure, she won the US Open after being away for a while, but like Ryan said, the other players have been slugging it out for an entire year. They played all season, built up their points and earned their spots. Dissing Jankovic to give Clijsters a wild card for the last spot would’ve been a slap in the face for JJ. The year-end championship slots are reserved for the best players of the season. Although I think the WTA ranking system is flawed, it is the only official and objective way of determining “the best” (whether they are the “real” best or not) in the WTA.

My understanding of “extraordinary circumstance” is if they can’t get enough players to qualify. Like if all the players after #7 fall way behind and have no way of earning enough points to get in.

Anyway, the season’s almost over. I can’t wait for next season, when the WTA gets interesting.

]]> By: MarKhttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10781 MarK Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:00:27 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10781 With all due respect, Edy, this is not about fairness but about the best players participating in this prestigious event. Winning a Slam is a tremendous accomplishment at any time, but winning it after two years away from the game is a mind-boggling achievement. With all due respect, Edy, this is not about fairness but about the best players participating in this prestigious event. Winning a Slam is a tremendous accomplishment at any time, but winning it after two years away from the game is a mind-boggling achievement.

]]> By: Edyhttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10779 Edy Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:32:15 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10779 Kim wins US Open then sits out and you guys expect her to play YEC? If you were Jelena and they picked Kim to play how would you feel? Not fair.....Let's wait and see how consistent Kim's results will be in 2010. Kim wins US Open then sits out and you guys expect her to play YEC? If you were Jelena and they picked Kim to play how would you feel? Not fair…..Let’s wait and see how consistent Kim’s results will be in 2010.

]]> By: MarKhttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10776 MarK Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:28:24 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10776 No question about it - Kim should be in. All Slam winners should automatically qualify. To make sure that all of the best players participate, the number should be increased to 12 and then Slam finalists could be included as well. Eight is not enough. Same goes for men too. No question about it – Kim should be in. All Slam winners should automatically qualify. To make sure that all of the best players participate, the number should be increased to 12 and then Slam finalists could be included as well. Eight is not enough. Same goes for men too.

]]> By: freakyfriteshttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10772 freakyfrites Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:10:39 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10772 Hey guys, thanks for you comments. Actually, the WTA does have a wild card rule. Check out page 157 of the rule book, which is available for download on their website: "The Tournament shall consist of a singles draw of eight (8) players (including one (1) Wild Card, if applicable) in a round robin format to be determined by the WTA. The top seven (7) players using the best of 16 ranking system, starting with the beginning of the Tour Year, shall qualify for the Sony Ericsson Championships. The qualification method will count the 51 weeks of events, dropping off the ranking points earned in the previous Sony Ericsson Championships the week prior to the current Sony Ericsson Championships. At its sole discretion and taking into account extraordinary circumstances, the WTA may select the 8th player for participation in the singles draw. If the WTA does not exercise its option to select the 8th player, the 8th spot in the draw will be awarded to the player who is in the 8th position using the method described above." If winning a Major isn't an extraordinary circumstance, then what is? Personally I think the WTA has been super-sensitive about its ranking system ever since the battle of the Real No. 1s this season. During a press event at the LA tournament I even overheard a WTA staffer talking to Safina as they left a press conference, saying something like: "But we want YOU to have faith in the rankings system, too!" So I'm sure the WTA didn't want to so publicly give favor to a Major winner vs. a player who actually complains about not being able to enter International level tournaments (i.e. Jelena Jankovic.) And to answer Ryan's question, I don't think making it to the US Open finals would cut it in terms of giving Clijsters a Wild Card into the tournament. But winning the US Open definitely does, i.m.h.o. Hey guys, thanks for you comments. Actually, the WTA does have a wild card rule. Check out page 157 of the rule book, which is available for download on their website:

“The Tournament shall consist of a singles draw of eight (8) players (including one (1) Wild Card, if applicable) in a round robin format to be determined by the WTA.
The top seven (7) players using the best of 16 ranking system, starting with the beginning of the Tour Year, shall qualify for the Sony Ericsson Championships. The qualification method will count the 51 weeks of events, dropping off the ranking points earned in the previous Sony Ericsson Championships the week prior to the current Sony Ericsson Championships.
At its sole discretion and taking into account extraordinary circumstances, the WTA may select the 8th player for participation in the singles draw. If the WTA does not exercise its option to select the 8th player, the 8th spot in the draw will be awarded to the player who is in the 8th position using the method described above.”

If winning a Major isn’t an extraordinary circumstance, then what is?

Personally I think the WTA has been super-sensitive about its ranking system ever since the battle of the Real No. 1s this season. During a press event at the LA tournament I even overheard a WTA staffer talking to Safina as they left a press conference, saying something like: “But we want YOU to have faith in the rankings system, too!” So I’m sure the WTA didn’t want to so publicly give favor to a Major winner vs. a player who actually complains about not being able to enter International level tournaments (i.e. Jelena Jankovic.)

And to answer Ryan’s question, I don’t think making it to the US Open finals would cut it in terms of giving Clijsters a Wild Card into the tournament. But winning the US Open definitely does, i.m.h.o.

]]> By: Pamala Knighthttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10771 Pamala Knight Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:42:16 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10771 I agree with Ryan. While it would be nice to mirror the ATP where, I think, all of the Grand Slam champions automatically qualify, the WTA doesn't have that rule. When Venus won Wimbledon in both 2005 and 2007, she didn't make it because she hadn't played enough other tournaments. I do think she was the alternate one of those years, maybe 2007. I agree with Ryan.

While it would be nice to mirror the ATP where, I think, all of the Grand Slam champions automatically qualify, the WTA doesn’t have that rule. When Venus won Wimbledon in both 2005 and 2007, she didn’t make it because she hadn’t played enough other tournaments. I do think she was the alternate one of those years, maybe 2007.

]]> By: Ryanhttp://gototennis.com/2009/10/22/doha-dames-clijsters-free-final-8-set-for-wta-year-end-championships/#comment-10770 Ryan Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:09:08 +0000 http://gototennis.com/?p=13455#comment-10770 It's hard to tell. I mean as a Grand Slam winner, Kim should definitely be there and I think they SHOULD have a clause where a Grand Slam winner is automatically in the YEC. Having said that, they don't have such a clause, so rules are rules I suppose. Plus it's a little unfair to compare Jankovic who has been playing ALL YEAR (many people think too much) to Clijster who has only played three events. Let's say Clijsters reached the semifinals at the US Open and nothing more, would you say the same thing I wonder (about her being placed in the Top 8)? It’s hard to tell. I mean as a Grand Slam winner, Kim should definitely be there and I think they SHOULD have a clause where a Grand Slam winner is automatically in the YEC.

Having said that, they don’t have such a clause, so rules are rules I suppose. Plus it’s a little unfair to compare Jankovic who has been playing ALL YEAR (many people think too much) to Clijster who has only played three events. Let’s say Clijsters reached the semifinals at the US Open and nothing more, would you say the same thing I wonder (about her being placed in the Top 8)?

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