Around the World with Mr. Ed (November 17, 2001)
by Ed Toombs


Rankings reworked by the WTA

The women's season may be over, but things are still humming in the WTA offices, with two significant proclamations being made this week. As we anticipated, a medical swat team dispatched to inspect Venus Williams's wrists decided that they were in fact injured. More significantly, an overhaul to the ranking system was announced.

The main feature of the rankings change is to give more points to the Grand Slam winners, compared to the other tour events. Whereas a Grand Slam champion received 520 points under the system used this year, starting next season they will receive 650. The points awarded for the season-ending championsips and Tier I tournaments also increase, while points for lower-tier events either stay the same or are lowered.

The WTA was obviously reacting to the criticism that their last two number ones ? Martina Hingis last season and Lindsay Davenport this year ? finished at the top despite not winning a major tournament. If the new ranking system had been employed this year, Jennifer Capriati, winner of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, would have finished ahead of Davenport.

While there is nothing terribly wrong with the new ranking system, it strikes us as a knee-jerk reaction to a criticism that was flawed in the first place. The problem with Capriati and the other two-time major champion, Venus Williams, was that outside the Grand Slams their performance over the year was undeserving of number one status. Aside from Capriati's major titles, she won only one other tournament (Charleston), while Williams only played the tour part-time (just eight events outside the Slams).

Granted, the Grand Slam's are the sport's major events. But should ranking systems be rewarding player who win majors but are mediocre or inactive the rest of the year?

Hewitt runs the table down under

There were no such rankings controversies on the men's side, as Lleyton Hewitt finished off a strong season that did include a major title (U.S. Open), and swept through the field to take the the Masters Cup in Sydney.

It was a scenario eerily similar to the last year's race for number one. As you surely recall, in 2000 Marat Safin appeared to have a lock on number one going into the Masters Cup, but stumbled, and Gustavo Kuerten won the event to claim the top spot in dramatic fashion. This year, it was Kuerten who went into Sydney poised to claim the title, but he continued the poor play he exhibited this fall, allowing Hewitt came from behind to snatch the top spot. It was Hewitt's only week at number one this seaso n, but his timing was certainly excellent!

The little Aussie, whose trademarks have always been speed, consistency and an impressive fighting spirit, has added more punch to his groundstrokes and serve in the last two years. Clearly, he is now a threat on all surfaces and should be at or near the top for years to come. But there are some observers who wonder about his staying power as a #1 player. Among them, interestingly enough, is his countryman and mentor Patrick Rafter. "By the nature of his game Lleyton could have big highs and low lows," said the veteran Aussie after losing to Hewitt in round robin play. "He has to work so hard, his has to be a difficult style to keep up - and he's vertically challenged."

Looking ahead to 2002

With only the France-Australia Davis Cup final left on the calendar, another interesting season has come to a close. At the end of November the On The Line staff will put their heads together and distribute their coveted year-end awards. For now, let's look ahead to the prospects of the men's and women's top ten.

  • 1. Lleyton Hewitt: Might hold on to #1 until the grass court season. Beware, young players often have difficulty following up on a breakthrough year.
  • 2. Gustavo Kuerten: Aching all over, Guga ended the year in a terrible tailspin and may skip the Australian Open to get back to health.
  • 3. Andre Agassi: Getting on in years and now a family man, will he be gear himself up for another strong season?
  • 4. Yevgeny Kafelnikov: Finished 2001 strong, and would seem to have at least a couple of good years left. Should be a favourite at the Australian Open.
  • 5. Juan Carlos Ferrero: A brilliant young talent moving up. Will he be this year's King of Clay?
  • 6. Sébastien Grosjean: A splendid showing despite missing six weeks with injury. It would not be surprising to see him slide back a bit next year.
  • 7. Patrick Rafter: Have we seen the last of the gentleman serve-and-volleyer?
  • 8. Tommy Haas: If he keeps up the good work, Tommy has the talent to be top five next year.
  • 9. Tim Henman: At 27, heading down the home stretch of a solid career that should probably have been better.
  • 10. Pete Sampras: Has Pete's slide begun?
  • Out of the pack: Roddick and Federer should be top ten next year. Watch out for Guillermo Coria, who was dangerous on clay this year but was injured in the last half of 2001.

  • 1. Lindsay Davenport: showing no signs of slowing down, although injuries may be a concern.
  • 2. Jennifer Capriati: Seeing the way her game dropped off as the season went along, it's hard to see Jennifer matching this year's performance.
  • 3. Venus Williams: Definitely the Queen of Summer, needs to improve and play more often the rest of the year.
  • 4. Martina Hingis: Will be challenged to recover from a severe ankle injury and a deteriorating game.
  • 5. Kim Clijsters: Should be challenging for at least one major title in 2002.
  • 6. Serena Williams: Needs to play more often.
  • 7. Justine Henin: A breakthrough year for the brilliant but inconsistent Belgian. Hard to know what to expect from her in 2002.
  • 8. Jelena Dokic: Following a solid career progression, but may be handicapped against the top players by a lack of "big weapons" and a wacky family entourage.
  • 9. Amelie Mauresmo: Has the game, but does she have the brain?
  • 10. Monica Seles: The clock appears to be winding down on the veteran, who will be 28 next year.
  • Out of the pack: Dementieva should return to the top ten next year. Eastern Europeans Bedanova, Krasnoroutskaya and Hantuchova might be ready to contend for the elite..


You may read previous Mr. Ed columns by clicking here.

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