Early 2014 Commitments

[ozza]

This is mainly top players, because there the only players that really get announced early. Bear in mind, this is just confirmed stuff, so more top players can be added to these lists.

Week 1:
Brisbane (Premier)
Serena Williams
Victoria Azarenka
Maria Sharapova
Jelena Jankovic
Angelique Kerber
Caroline Wozniacki
Sabine Lisicki
Carla Suarez Navarro

Shenzhen ($500k International)
Na Li
Sara Errani
Vera Zvonareva

Auckland (International)
Roberta Vinci
Ana Ivanovic
Kirsten Flipkens
Venus Williams

Hopman Cup (Exhibition)
Agnieszka Radwanska
Petra Kvitova
Sloane Stephens
Samantha Stosur
Alize Cornet
Flavia Pennetta
Eugenie Bouchard
Anabel Medina Garrigues

Week 2:
Sydney (Premier)
Agnieszka Radwanska
Petra Kvitova
Sara Errani
Jelena Jankovic
Angelique Kerber
Caroline Wozniacki
Simona Halep
Sloane Stephens
Roberta Vinci
Carla Suarez Navarro

Hobart (International)
Samantha Stosur
Kirsten Flipkens
Venus Williams

Week 5:
Paris (Premier)
Maria Sharapova
Sara Errani
Angelique Kerber

On Sharapova specifically she is confirmed skipping the middle-east swing. So I believe after Paris she won't play again until Indian Wells.

 

[tented]

That's very helpful, Ozza. Thanks.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I see Serena has a light schedule so far. Good on her!

 

[10isfan]

Thanks, Ozza.

Vera is back? I wish Li would play the bigger tournaments leading to AO.

 

[my sherona]

marked the date and place = Brisbane Maria will put order on tennis. Domination !!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I will believe it when I see Maria playing in Brisbane

 

[ozza]

You will learn a lot about Maria at the end of this month. She's scheduled to play a bunch of exhbitions in South America I think. If she starts withdrawing, it would put her participation in Australia in some doubt.

There's no real information coming out of her camp atm.

 

[rubydo]

As I noted a couple of weeks ago 10sfan, Vera is gearing up for Schenzhen. She has been practicing regularly for the last few weeks, and I just saw a quick video of her. She was pounding the ball back with some forehands, not her best shot mind you, I think her backhand has always been her prime weapon. I really hope her nagging shoulder injury has been finally dealt with, and we can see her talent back on the court early in 2014. She is way down the rankings, but knowing Vera's tenacity, if her health remains okay, she could bounce back to a respectable ranking quite quickly.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

I find it strange that Sloane is only playing Hopman Cup!

I find it delightful to have Vera's name in the mix.

 

[10isfan]

Ruby, thanks for the info. Vera has been away for quite some time. I thought she might retire to pursue politics. Good to see players healthy.

 

[ozza]

I find it strange that Sloane is only playing Hopman Cup!

I find it delightful to have Vera's name in the mix.

I suspect a lot of these are playing Sydney/Hobart, I just have no way of proving as such (plus entry deadline hasn't passed yet).

The only 3 who almost certainly won't be playing that week are Serena, Azarenka and Sharapova.

 

[Moriarty]

Great line up for Brisbane. So many questions about Sharapova and Azarenka at the start of next season, but I hope that they'll both find their form soon; and it's also great to see Vera back on court again.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Oh Welcome!
I see we have a new ball boy in here.Hope to see you turn pro soon.

 

[Moriarty]

Thank you Kiu

 

[tented]

Great line up for Brisbane. So many questions about Sharapova and Azarenka at the start of next season, but I hope that they'll both find their form soon; and it's also great to see Vera back on court again.

Welcome, Moriarty.

 

[Moxie]

Yes, welcome! Happy posting!

 

[rubydo]

Great line up for Brisbane. So many questions about Sharapova and Azarenka at the start of next season, but I hope that they'll both find their form soon; and it's also great to see Vera back on court again.

Welcome, from this Canadian. Glad to have you on board, this fine Tennis Website! I follow our Canadians closely as well as the fine contingent of Russian lady players, Vera being one of my all time favourites, and now the Romanians have caught my attention too. I cover 3-4 tournaments a year.
Cheers,

 

[Moriarty]

Thank you Kiu, Moxie629, Tented, Rubydo, and everyone for making me feel so welcome here. I hope we will have a great 2014 season with plenty of good matches to comment.

And rubydo, very exciting prospects indeed , with both Halep and Bouchard ending this year so strongly. They are so talented and great to watch, and I think that both are in a very good position to cause some some serious damage next season. About the russians ladys I hope that they will be healthy, injury free and able to get back soon to their best form.

 

[10isfan]

Welcome, Moriarty. We look forward to reading your posts. I agree Halep and Bouchard will make a big impact in 2014.

 

[Moriarty]

Thank you so much 10sfan.