WTA News and Gossip 2022

[Kieran]

WTF? That’s incredible news to wake up to. I know she’s immensely talented in other sports, is that where she’s headed? Huge loss for the women’s game. Barty is a no-nonsense, no drama, battling and honest player with potential too hit double digits as a champ.

Good for her, by the way, for recognising when the thrill is gone, but I hope she’s making the right decision.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

WTF? That’s incredible news to wake up to. I know she’s immensely talented in other sports, is that where she’s headed? Huge loss for the women’s game. Barty is a no-nonsense, no drama, battling and honest player with potential too hit double digits as a champ.

Good for her, by the way, for recognising when the thrill is gone, but I hope she’s making the right decision.

I still in shock, in ways,.,after Rafa's ribs and then a few hours later the shock announcement of Ash.Though she is going out on her own terms and seems happy for the next chapter in her life as Ash Barty the person.I wish her well.

 

[Kieran]

I still in shock, in ways,.,after Rafa's ribs and then a few hours later the shock announcement of Ash.Though she is going out on her own terms and seems happy for the next chapter in her life as Ash Barty the person.I wish her well.

Yeah, same here. And I’d be very surprised if she changes her mind. She doesn’t seem to be one of our more narcissistic, egomaniacal variety of athletes. She’s pulling a Borg, in a way. I wish she’d hung around a year or two more though, gotten the full set of slams and established herself as what she was always destined to be - an all time great tennis champion…

 

[don_fabio]

It's not all about the money, fame and accomplishments. It's about simple things in life. I respect her for the decision. She played great tennis and I honestly thought she could easily win a few more slams.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I understand her retirement. She has always seemed to place her health and well being before tennis. The past few years in tennis haven’t been easy for anyone. She has struggled with injuries on and off. She also seemed to be very cautious concerning Covid and traveling. I think it has been something she has been mulling over for awhile, and she thinks now is the best time to retire.

To be honest, I am not sure I would want to make the trek to Europe and compete with a conflict threatening to spill over into other countries potentially.

 

[Jelenafan]

It’s interesting that she said she had been thinking about retirement for awhile and that winning Wimbledon and the Austrailan Open only solidified her decision. A champion has a unique mix of physical and mental skills , coupled with a hunger to win. To Barty she just knew , which shows that the mix has to jell just right.

 

[Ellentonboy]

I wonder if she will do a "Goolagong" imitation? Will she retire, have a baby and then come back and win Wimbledon. Evonne did it, in what, 1980? Granted these are different times, but Barty is such an exceptional athlete I can see her pulling it off. It was the first thing that went through my mind when I heard she retired. Or will she support her professional playing golfing husband? So many questions.....

 

[Ellentonboy]

Another subject that sticks in my brain. Weeks of being ranked #1. I believe Barty was closing in on Chris Evert's record, I think Evert was like 4th or 5th on the all time list, and Barty needed another week or two to surpass her. Will the WTA take Barty's name off the rankings list. Will her ranking points just drop off, does she even have to request they remove her name or will they do it for her. Not sure how the WTA is working these issues these days. What about all those weeks when the rankings were frozen? I have read there was a 32 week gap where she didn't have to play a tournament. Will those weeks count in her overall stats?

Anyone care to elaborate or have knowledge?

 

[Jelenafan]

Another subject that sticks in my brain. Weeks of being ranked #1. I believe Barty was closing in on Chris Evert's record, I think Evert was like 4th or 5th on the all time list, and Barty needed another week or two to surpass her. Will the WTA take Barty's name off the rankings list. Will her ranking points just drop off, does she even have to request they remove her name or will they do it for her. Not sure how the WTA is working these issues these days. What about all those weeks when the rankings were frozen? I have read there was a 32 week gap where she didn't have to play a tournament. Will those weeks count in her overall stats?

Anyone care to elaborate or have knowledge?

I did a double take until I realized you were talking about consecutive weeks at # 1. ( Overall Evert has more than double the weeks at #1 than Barty, and Graff the most total)

Its a mess because of COVID and the rankings were practically frozen but I honestly don’t see how you adjust it. The only player who requested her ranking points be removed was Justine Henin when she announced her retirement, otherwise they just eventually drop off.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Yeah, same here. And I’d be very surprised if she changes her mind. She doesn’t seem to be one of our more narcissistic, egomaniacal variety of athletes. She’s pulling a Borg, in a way. I wish she’d hung around a year or two more though, gotten the full set of slams and established herself as what she was always destined to be - an all time great tennis champion…

I thought she would at least play this year,I was hoping she could win the USO so she would then have a 'career slam',that was my wish not hers.Yes she will be the same age as my male tennis idol Borg retired,ironic isnt it.Her dream was always to win Wimbledon,she was a junior Wimbledon champion,not many players on tour get to fulfil their dreams.Ash will be doing a press conference later day,she will probably give more details for her future plans.I wish her well, though a part of me does not want to see her retire.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I wonder if she will do a "Goolagong" imitation? Will she retire, have a baby and then come back and win Wimbledon. Evonne did it, in what, 1980? Granted these are different times, but Barty is such an exceptional athlete I can see her pulling it off. It was the first thing that went through my mind when I heard she retired. Or will she support her professional playing golfing husband? So many questions.....

Ash wont be coming back to tennis.Ash will be doing a press conference later today and she will outline her future plans.I feel Ash will probably get married this year and I know she wants to have children asap.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Another subject that sticks in my brain. Weeks of being ranked #1. I believe Barty was closing in on Chris Evert's record, I think Evert was like 4th or 5th on the all time list, and Barty needed another week or two to surpass her. Will the WTA take Barty's name off the rankings list. Will her ranking points just drop off, does she even have to request they remove her name or will they do it for her. Not sure how the WTA is working these issues these days. What about all those weeks when the rankings were frozen? I have read there was a 32 week gap where she didn't have to play a tournament. Will those weeks count in her overall stats?

Anyone care to elaborate or have knowledge?

Consecutive weeks at No 1

Steffi Graf and Serena Williams 186 weeks
M.Navratilova 156
A.Barty 114

Total Weeks at No 1

S.Graff 377
M.Navratilova 332
S.Williams 319
C.Evert 260
M.Hingis 209
M.Seles 178
A.Barty 119
J.Henin 117
C.Evert 113.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Consecutive weeks at No 1

Steffi Graf and Serena Williams 186 weeks
M.Navratilova 156
A.Barty 114

Total Weeks at No 1

S.Graff 377
M.Navratilova 332
S.Williams 319
C.Evert 260
M.Hingis 209
M.Seles 178
A.Barty 119
J.Henin 117
C.Evert 113.

Rankings were changed due to Covid in the WTA.Ash didnt play due to her concern of COVID overseas and stayed home,a few players had the chance to over take Ash in that period ( Osaka and Halep),but they did not and she stayed at the No 1 ranking till she started playing back on the tour.I believe Iga Swiatek will be the new No 1 player according to the point system.Ash Barty's consecutive weeks at no 1 and total weeks at no 1 will stay intact on the both points system.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This is a great piece on Ash Barty from Stephanie Myles ( a tennis journalist I follow from Canada)

2022 – Open Court

opencourt.ca

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

The way things are going in tennis right now if Serena got some good match play in before Wimbledon she could possibly contend.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The way things are going in tennis right now if Serena got some good match play in before Wimbledon she could possibly contend.

Serena needs to get some match play under her legs,play a lead up grass tournament before Wimbledon this year,of course she has the game for grass,before she could be called a 'contender'.
I suspect we will see Serena back on court for the clay season,just my opinion

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Serena needs to get some match play under her legs,play a lead up grass tournament before Wimbledon this year,of course she has the game for grass,before she could be called a 'contender'.
I suspect we will see Serena back on court for the clay season,just my opinion

Oh most definitely! She needs at least 2 clay tournaments, the FO, and a grass tournament before Wimbledon.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oh most definitely! She needs at least 2 clay tournaments, the FO, and a grass tournament before Wimbledon.

Well hopefully we will Serena back soon for the clay.

 

[Jelenafan]

The way things are going in tennis right now if Serena got some good match play in before Wimbledon she could possibly contend.

With Barty out and Naomi Osaka having her issues, really the womens' Slams this year are a free for all.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just announced,
Serena and Venus Williams will be presenters at the Academy Awards next week