2024 WTA News & Gossip

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am not a fan of players entering a tournament just before a major, though given this is the first major of the 2025 season at the Australian Open, I guess I will give a pass, though I hope players entering do not pick up a injury,
The WTA500 Adelaide International 6th-11th January is looking strong on the entry list,
Paolini (4) Pegual (7) Navaro (8) Kasatkina (9) Krejcikova (10) Collins (11) Badosa (12) Shnaider (13) Kalinskaya (14) Ostapenko (15) Mirra Andreeva (16) Haddad Maia (17) Kostyuk (18) Vekic (19)

 

[Hoergren]

As the year comes to an end I'll just send you a greeting and a hope for the new year. This is a little affected by what happens right now in Europe and the Middle East

Hi All

A year is coming to an end for many who fared,
also for those who have been/are a little scared,
afraid of what all the unknown brings,
when we hang the tree with sweet memories, decorations, things.
How will it go for all of us in the unknown new year,
and will it be secure to be together to have a beer.

We must never lose hope against the bad,
when you are sitting alone in the dark and sad.
Pick up the phone and call your friends and dear,
a good way to keep connection even though we rather be near.
Use digital media and write a story in a positive tone,
about yourself, the situation to show you are alive in your dome.

There's probably a sweet, exciting memory you can share,
even if you can not remember it all or do not dare.
Grab the pen old friend and let us hear your thought.
There might probably be something for what you fought.
May you all have a very merry yuletide
in each of your cozy little shelter hide.

the old Scandinavian nisse

Leif Hoergren

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

As the year comes to an end I'll just send you a greeting and a hope for the new year. This is a little affected by what happens right now in Europe and the Middle East

Hi All

A year is coming to an end for many who fared,
also for those who have been/are a little scared,
afraid of what all the unknown brings,
when we hang the tree with sweet memories, decorations, things.
How will it go for all of us in the unknown new year,
and will it be secure to be together to have a beer.

We must never lose hope against the bad,
when you are sitting alone in the dark and sad.
Pick up the phone and call your friends and dear,
a good way to keep connection even though we rather be near.
Use digital media and write a story in a positive tone,
about yourself, the situation to show you are alive in your dome.

There's probably a sweet, exciting memory you can share,
even if you can not remember it all or do not dare.
Grab the pen old friend and let us hear your thought.
There might probably be something for what you fought.
May you all have a very merry yuletide
in each of your cozy little shelter hide.
View attachment 9815
the old Scandinavian nisse

Leif Hoergren

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and happy holidays, thanks Leif!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

4 more winners have been revealed as the WTA honors the ' stand out' performers of 2024.

Coach of the Year,
Renzo Furlan, coach of Jasmine Paolini. Paolini started the year as a Top 30 player, rising to No 4 by the end of 2024.Winning her first WTA1000 title in Dubai, reaching back to back Grand Slam finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and qualified for her first WTA finals in singles and doubles.

Karen Krantzeke Sportsmanship Award and Peachy Kellmeyer Services Award,
Ons Jabeur, recieved double honors once again, to become the first player to win back to back years after her success in 2023.
The 2 awards are voted on by WTA athlete peers, the Karen Krantzeke Sportsmanship award is given in recognition for Ons gracious and considerate manner, support for fair play and respect for others on and off the court.
Introduced in 1977, the Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award celebrates her support for fellow players, as well as other initiatives on behalf of the wider playing community.

Jerry Diamond ACES Award,
Aryna Sabalenka,
Introduced in 1995 in memory of former WTA CEO Jerry Diamond, the ACES award presented to Sabalenka for her work and dedication to promote womens tennis to fans and local communities, taking part in off court promotional and charitable activities. Sabalenka joins a list of previous winners which includes, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Jessica Pegula.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Main draw wild cards for AO 2025 from Tennis Australia, more main draw wild cards and wild card entries to the qualifying tournament will be announced soon
Talia Gibson (AUS)
Maya Joint (AUS)
Emerson Jones (AUS)
Daria Saville (AUS)
Alja Tomljanovic (AUS)
Amercian reciprocal wild card Iva Jovic
Chloe Paquet French reciprocal wild card
Zhang Shuai Asia-Pacific wild card

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

WTA 2024 Tournament Award Winners,
1000 Indian Wells
500 Charleston
250 Hong Kong

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Simona Halep has received AO qualifying wild card, Halep received a main draw wild card into WTA250 Auckland tournament
Renata Jamrichova ( Slovakia) 2024 AO Junior champion,
7 remaining AO qualifying wild cards went to Australian players,
Astra Sharma, Tina Smith, Petra Hule, Lizette Cabrera, Jamie Fourlis, Melissa Ercan, Elena Micic

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Diane Parry has withdrawn from the United Cup due to injury.Chloe Pacquet moves into the No 1 position for team France

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Agnieszka Radwanksa has joined the coaching team of Magda Linette

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Karolina Pliskova has withdrawn from the AO 2025, she had ruptured her tendons and some ligaments, ( leg) and got infection, which needed antibiotics.Karolina needs more time to heal and probably wont be back before IW or Miami where she can use a PR.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Former world No 1 Angelique Kerber will become an advisor to the women's division of the German Tennis Federation from 2025. Kerber will mentor both junior talents, Team Germany at the BJKC, Kerber will work closely with her former coaches, BJKC Captain Rainer Schuttler and Torben Beltz, who was recently announced as the new head coach for the German women's team

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from the United Cup, citing she needs a few extra weeks of rest and recovery for the new season

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Happy News,
Retired tennis player and former No 1 player Ash Barty is pregnant, baby no 2 !, Ash just posted the news on her instagram page.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur have announced their engagement!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Simona Halep withdraws from Auckland and the AO qualifying due to knee and shoulder pain. Halep hopes to return in Cluj in February.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jessica Pegula has withdrawn from the Brisbane International due to a knee injury
Susan Lamens from the Netherlands will taker her place in the main draw

Ailja Tomlanovic also withdrawn from the Brisbane International, not 100% ready to compete, will continue her prep and be ready at the AO

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

United Cup - Perth
Spain vs Kazakhstan,

Interested to watch Elena Rybakina's first match this year, also with her new coach, Goran Invanisevic, they had a training block in Dubai for 2 weeks before flying to Perth for the United Cup, Goran said, he has been working with Elena on finishing points at the net with volleys, also he wants to her to show a bit more emotion on court.
For her 1st match Elena had no trouble against Bouzas Maneiro winning in straight sets, 62 63, her big serve is a huge weapon, along with her ground strokes, she is a great clean hitter of the ball, early days, hopefully 2025 we will see Rybakina back to her best.

Rybakina/Shevenko d Carreno Busta/Cavalle-Reimas 76 67 10-7 in the deciding doubles to get an important win for team Kazakhstan.Elena came up with some special stuff under pressure

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider will be joining forces in 2025, playing doubles in all the WTA1000 and major tournaments.
Olympic Silver Medalists and Beijing quarterfinalists in theor only 2 tournaments of 2024.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Main draw ceremony AO 2025, will be held on Thursday January 9 at 1.00pm local time on site at (MCA)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Watched Swiss v France in Sydney,

Belinda Bencic ( what a day she has had) apart from her SS singles win over Paquet 63 61
Belinda teamed with Stricker in the mixed doubles, she was the player of the match, defeating the French pair, Roger-Vasselin/Elixane Lechemia 61 76(4) to win the tie 2-1, her bhand and her volley skills were on show, she has great hands and anticipation, considering she has just come back from having a baby in April, it was a great performance.