The Masha Slam!

Maria Sharapova achieved quite a bit when she won her first French Open last week. She only became the 10^th women in history to complete a career grand slam and only the 6^th in the open era. Since Graf famously won the Golden Slam in the late 80’s only 2 other women have completed the coveted Grand Slam. The likes of Henin, Hingis & Davenport came close but could never win it. What is even more surprising is that the manner Sharapova won the title this year. She was hardly challenged and despite clay not being her favorite surface, she did have a pretty good clay court season and ended up going into the French Open as one of the favorites for the first time in her career and ended up walking out not only as the winner but the #1 ranked player in the world.

In the last one year she has been the most consistent tennis player on the circuit and she has reached 3 grand slam finals in the last 4 grand slams. Given that how inconsistent women’s tennis has become since the fall of Serena Williams, Sharapova may once again make it consistent by winning a few more slams. The last time anyone won 2 Grand Slam in a row during the same calendar year was 2002 and Sharapova has a chance to break that trend now. Since 2010 there has also been 5 first time slam winners.

Also it has been more than 4 years since Sharapova last was ranked #1 and the same amount of time last she won a Grand Slam. Many expected her to retire after a serious shoulder injury but she has fought back and not only is the best player right now but also managed to complete the Grand Slam. With the Olympics and Wimbledon both on grass this year, Sharapova has a chance of winning more slams and also completing the coveted career Golden Grand Slam. She is only 25 and in women’s tennis that is a bit old but provided she can maintain her momentum she can easily go on win a few more slams.

The second arrival of Masha is here and it can only get better. I expect her to dominate women’s tennis now for some time as the Williams sisters are at the twilight of the career while the young pretenders are all inconsistent and rarely has someone shown consistent for one calendar year leave alone a few years. Masha is back and this time her reign in the top will be longer.