WTA Roundup: Top 10 Players in 2013
Serena Williams of the United States and Na Li of China pose for photographers during the trophy ceremony after the final of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships at the Sinan Erdem Dome.
1) Serena Williams
Need I say more? Serena Williams not only had one of her best seasons on tour but also one of the most dominant ones in WTA history. A mouthwatering 11 WTA titles, including two Grand Slams at Flushing Meadows and Paris, and a 78-4 WL on the tour, has comfortably seated the American atop the WTA Rankings at the end of 2013.
Titles: 11
Win Loss: 78-4
Prize Money: $12,385,572
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 3
Year End Ranking: 1
2) Victoria Azarenka
Another successful year for the Belarusian, highlighted by her defence of the Australian Open. While many may think it was mostly a year of playing second fiddle to Williams, Azarenka had two high-profile wins over the American (at the Doha and Cincinnati finals) and pushed Williams to the brink in almost all of their other meetings.
Titles: 3
Win Loss: 43-9
Prize Money: $6,497,165
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 1
Year End Ranking: 2
3) Li Na
Probably the most improved this year among the Top 10,Li Na impressively attained the missing element of consistency which she was lacking in previous years. While still missing the prominent titles, the Chinese had some impressive outings including reaching the semi’s of the US Open (her best ever result), as well as reaching the final of the year-end Championships. With the wise Carlos Rodrigues as coach, Li Na also ended the year at her personal best of No.3.
Titles: 1
Win Loss: 44-14
Prize Money: $3,982,485
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 7
Year End Ranking: 3
4) Agnieszka Radwanska
A consistent year for the Pole again saw her finishing in the Top 5. While not notching big wins against the Top 4, she did however establish herself as someone to be afraid of for the rest of the tour. Radwanska also again had a strong showing at Wimbledon (reaching semifinals) and achieved her personal best results at both the Australian Open and French Open (quarterfinal in both).
Titles: 3
Win Loss: 56-19
Prize Money: $3,118,332
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 4
Year End Ranking: 4
5) Maria Sharapova
Sharapova was sidelined for the majority of the second half of the year, and hence did not finish with the results she had hoped for. But, the Russian’s strong first half, especially the clay season (runner -up at French Open) saw her maintain her Top 5 ranking despite her injury.
Titles: 2
Win Loss: 37-7
Prize Money: $3,544,222
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 2
Year End Ranking: 4
6) Petra Kvitova
A very up and down season for the Czech, Kvitova had both stellar weeks as well as embarrassing ones, yet due to her strong selective showing, picked up a handful of titles as well as maintained her year-end Top 10 ranking.
Titles: 2
Win Loss: 51-23
Prize Money: $2,853,474
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 8
Year End Ranking: 6
7) Jelena Jankovic
An exhausting yet fruitful season for the former world No.1. The Serbian started the year outside the Top 20 but finished inside the Top 10 and had some memorable fights with the Top 5. The icing on the cake was another deserved trip to Istanbul for the year-end Championships.
Titles: 1
Win Loss: 46-21
Prize Money: $2,030,349
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 22
Year End Ranking: 8
8) Sara Errani
Another Top 10 season for the Italian saw her again reaching the latter stages of the French Open as well as playing a hectic schedule of both doubles and singles. While consistent throughout the year, the Italian lacked a considerable big moment except her French Open semi-final run.
Titles: 1
Win Loss: 49-24
Prize Money: $3,073,992
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 6
Year End Ranking: 8
9) Simona Halep
A personal favourite story of 2013 for me was Halep’s breakthrough year. The Romanian ended the year at the cusp of the Top 10 after a mammoth 6 titles, only second to the World No.1. With practically nothing to defend for the first half of 2014, Halep may have just got a jumpstart from her spectacular 2013 run.
Titles: 6
Win Loss: 53-17
Prize Money: $1,222,446
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 47
Year End Ranking: 11
10) Marion Bartoli
The Frenchwoman had probably the most bittersweet season of her career. Bad, because it was her last and good due to her finally winning her favourite Grand Slam, Wimbledon. While Bartoli actually didn’t have an overall great 2013 season, her Wimbledon victory completely overshadowed her defeats.
Titles: 1
Win Loss: 22-14
Prize Money: $2,890,132
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 11
Year End Ranking: 13
Special Mention—Sloane Stephens.
Another breakthrough run was that of Sloane Stephens. She had great 2013 Grand Slam results, highlighted by her memorable run to the Australian Open semi-finals. The American while impressing on the big stages had average outings for the rest of the year, and hence didn’t find herself in the Top 10 list.
Titles: 0
Win Loss: 39-23
Prize Money: $1,498,608
Ranking at beginning of 2013: 38
Year End Ranking: 12