Generation Next!

Back in 2009 I did mention 3 women who I believe could be the next set of superstars in Women’s tennis and when I look back at the 3, my predictions is more or less actuate. While none can replace Maria Sharapova, they have all sort of become her rivals & peers.

Among the 3 I would rate Victoria Azarenka as the most successful player till date as she has not only won 2 slams but has also reached the semi-finals of all the slams in the last 2 years and was also briefly ranked the #1 player in the world. Add in an Olympic single bronze medallist to the mix. Barring the 2^nd Round exit from this year’s Wimbledon due to injuries, she has been very consistent and has been in reckoning for the title for the last 2 seasons. Also her rivalry with Sharapova is one to watch out on the tour.

Caroline Wozniacki is a former world #1 player and also has reached the finals of the US Open. Apart from that he has been very consistent on hard courts from 2009 to 2011. Though the last 2 years has seen her form dip, she is slowly clawing her way back to the top and is one of the most popular tennis players on the planet. She is the face of Adidas by Stella McCartney and also regularly in the top earners among sportswomen in the Forbes list.

Agnieszka Radwańska with a highest ranking of #2 and also being a Wimbledon runner-up has been very consistent on the tour and slowly showing her potential in slams as well. She will surely be a grand slam winner but it is still early if she can win multiple slams and maintain consistency over longer period of time. Apart from Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova & Victoria Azarenka, none of the other players have actually shown consistency on the tour. Ana Ivanovic a former world #1 and a grand slam winner is now just struggling to make it to the 2^nd week of slams.

Not bad at all given that 2 of them have reached the world #1 while all 3 have reached slam finals with Azarenka being a 2 time Australian Open winner. The next generation I feel who could make waves will be Eugenie Bouchard & Laura Robson.

Robson already making waves at this year’s Wimbledon is also an Olympic Silver medalist in doubles with Andy Murray and is one of the most popular players on the tour. She has seen a meteoric rise and is currently ranked #38 in the world. She is only 19 and the only way for his is going up the rankings, she has all the potential to be a multiple slam winner and also capture the world #1 rankings.

Her best buddy Eugenie Bouchard also 19 and ranked #66 in the world is also making waves on the tour. A former junior Wimbledon champion and dubbed mini Sharapova, Bouchard’s potentail is even recognized by the WTA when she was a special invitee for an event which featured all the #1 ranked players in the last 40 years. A significant moment for Bouchard that both she and Robson can have a compelling rivalry in the future. It may not be the new Evert vs Navratilova but a Henin vs Clijsters will be good for the future of Women’s tennis.