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Strengths and weaknesses of Top 10

42K views 197 replies 41 participants last post by  traralgon 
#1 · (Edited)
2012 was perhaps the best year of the WTA for quite some time and I thought it would be good to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Top 10. Do these players have subtle strengths which make them the best or do they have less weaknesses than those below them?

Here's my thoughts:

#1 Victoria Azarenka
Strengths:
- Currently the best returner in the game, always looks to be aggressive and probably is at her most dangerous when her returns are working.
- Excellent neturaliser of the point. She may not hit a huge amount of winners but is excellent at controlling the point with a series of well-timed, clean, flatly hit shots before eventually finding an opening to attack.
- Shots very rarely break down and gets excellent depth, which means it's harder to attack as she can push players back.

Weaknesses:
- Serve is ineffective for a #1. Generates little pace off it and it is to start the point more than anything else. Second serve can also break down and will throw multiple DF's if it's completely off.
- Doesn't move that well to her FH side, although she has improved that in recent months.
- If hard-hitters are at their best then they can hit through her defense, and she doesn't have the weaponary to match them. If the match isn't on her terms then she's in trouble.

#2 Maria Sharapova
Strengths:
- Probably the strongest mentally out of all the players. Her mental stamina and endurance allow her to win matches even if she's playing badly, as it allows her to keep in control and her opponents won't be able to keep their levels above hers.
- Big hitter and when on can hit through anyone.
- First and second serves are always aggressive and when working allow her to be aggressive straight away and put pressure on opponents.

Weaknesses:
- When serve is off it will break down with alarming results. Throws in too many DF's.
- Inconsistency off the ground mean she can get dragged into marathons when she really should be winning easily. If Plan A isn't working she has nothing else to go to.
- Lack of general feel means if she's rushed she has no option but to play low percentage tennis, with little success. Both Azarenka and Williams expose this time and time again against her.

#3 Serena Williams
Strengths:
- Her serve is currently THE shot on the WTA. It can carry her through matches when her ground game is AWOL, as she can simply serve her way through opponents.
- One of the very few players whose defense is as good as her offense. Means she can be almost unplayable when her game is on.
- Believes she's the number 1 at all times and can have won matches even before a ball has been hit, simply due to the fact players don't believe they can beat her.

Weaknesses:
- Can be very up and down mentally. If things aren't going her way then she can go into complete meltdown. Opponents can get inside her head and cause her to doubt her ability.
- Footwork can be lazy and mean her ground-game can look extremely awkward and messy if she's not moving well.
- Motivation can be questionable in minor matches.

#4 Agnieszka Radwanska
Strengths:
- One of the very few players who can say they are an all-court player. Excellent touch and feel means if she gets matches on her terms that she can spin a web against opponents.
- Excellent movement and anticipation skills mean she can get a huge number of balls back and force her opponents to go for too much and make too many errors.
- Can rely on more than just a Plan A if things aren't going her way and stays solid mentally the vast majority of the time.

Weaknesses:
- Doesn't generate any real pace which means she struggles to hit through opponents.
- Second serve is one of the worst shots in the Top 10.
- If players are playing their best she can struggle to make any real impact as doesn't have the weapons to counter-act them.

#5 Angelique Kerber
Strengths:
- One of the best on tour at turning defense into offense. Is aggressive in defense which allows her to at times turn a rally onto her terms with just one shot. Can make her opponents feel that they can't hit through her.
- To back up last point, she's also one of the best movers around.
- Can hit winners off both sides despite being smaller than the average player.

Weaknesses:
- If opponents don't give her any pace, she finds it very difficult to make her own, and doesn't have the required patience if her matches turn into wars of attrition.
- Serve isn't a weapon and second serve can be attacked.
- Can check out of matches if things aren't going her way.

#6 Sara Errani
Strengths:
- One of the very few players these days who understand how to play on clay. Spin she generates on FH means she can make her matches very physical despite being smaller and lighter than most of her opponents.
- Excellent touch and feel, drop shots are some of the best on tour.
- Moves well.

Weaknesses:
- Next to no serve which means both first and second serve can be attacked with ease.
- Doesn't have any answers if hard-hitters are playing well as she doesn't have the weapons to counter-act with.
- Needs a slow court for her game to be effective.

#7 Li Na
Strengths:
- Probably the best player currently at being able to change direction aggressively. Also one of the few players who can combine power with width, which means her ball is always going away from the opponent.
- Her power can allow her to hit through majority of opponents.
- Moves well and is an athletic player.

Weaknesses:
- Very inconsistent. Can throw away matches by simply being unable to get the ball in court and another player who if Plan A isn't working as nothing to fall back on.
- Weak mentally which means she can lose concentration and spend her time shouting at her husband rather than focusing on the match.
- Poor returner.

#8 Petra Kvitova
Strengths:
- The biggest hitter on tour currently. If her ground game is on then she can be almost unplayable.
- One of the very few players who can mix power with variety. Slice and volleys when working mean she has a dimension to her game that most of the opponents don't have.
- Very difficult to stop when she's on a roll.

Weaknesses:
- Never looks in the best shape, which mean her movement, which isn't the strongest part of her game anyway, is compromised further.
- When game is off she is another player who looks as if she has more chance of hitting the stands than hitting the court.
- Needs conditions to be in her favour for her to play her best, as she struggles physically in hot, humid and slow conditions.

#9 Samantha Stosur
Strengths:
- Her game is about massive topspin, rather than power, which means she can be a very difficult proposition for her opponents who have to face a style that is rare on the WTA.
- Kick serve is the best on the WTA and again gives her opponents a look at something that they just aren't used to.
- Defensive BH slice is good and BH down-the-line when working can be dangerous.

Weaknesses:
- BH might be dangerous when working but most of the time it is one of the weakest shots in the Top 10. Can be attacked and will breakdown the vast majority of the time.
- Will shank and mishit her FH if her timing is off.
- Against the tall big-hitters, her serve moves from being a huge weapon to liability, as she rarely does anything with it other than kick it up, which goes to their strike-zone.

#10 Caroline Wozniacki
Strengths:
- One of the most consistent players out there and defensive skills allow her to get balls back that most others wouldn't be able to get too.
- In superb physical condition, she wins the vast majority of attritional matches as she can grind her opponents down physically.
- Solid mentally.

Weaknesses:
- Doesn't generate enough power overall and means she struggles to hit through opponents. It also means she has nowhere to go if hard-hitters are playing well, they can simply hit through her as her ball doesn't really go anywhere.
- FH is ineffective and will break down if pressured.
- Next to no feel in her game.

Thoughts? :)
 
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#19 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Sharapova the toughest mentally?! :confused:
I know this is not something many will agree with, but I do believe Maria is the best mentally. She wins SO many matches, against the best and lesser players, by simply keeping calm and believing in herself. She takes it one point at a time, which means she doesn't allow bad feeling or nerves to take over for a whole set of points. Her opponents will generally always falter mentally before she does, as they don't have her mental stamina or fortitude.

Sure, her record against Azarenka and Serena has been poor this year, but I feel it's more down to them being bad match-ups for her rather than any mental fraility. The only match where she slightly lost it mentally was at the end of the US SF, but apart from that, she's lost to them due to their ability at exploiting her weaknesses better than anyone else, not due to lack of belief or mental issues.


OP and Griffin both made great lists, I'd like to add few things.

1. I don't think that Serena lets opponents get inside her head, my impression is that sometimes some bad misses get inside her head (rather than opponents) which was mostly visible in the first part of the season when she simply couldn't win ugly.

2. I don't think that Sharapova is the strongest mentally, Vika and Serena are stronger mentally.

3. Errani's return and mental fortitude are seriously underrated. I'd like to add it to list of her strengths.

4. Azarenka has a great touch, good volleys and drop shots.
I somewhat agree with number 1, although I do believe opponents can get inside her head. Razzano was a prime example. She kept the pressure up against Serena the entire match, and didn't falter. When Serena made that fatal decision to stop the point when she was winning the tiebreak, she completely crumpled and Razzano took full advantage. People forget how badly Serena imploded in that match due to the final game.

It's a combination of putting too much pressure on herself and opponents getting inside her head in the end. Zheng did a fantastic job of that at Wimbledon, she won a huge majority of the rallies cos Serena's ground-game was so off she couldn't handle Zheng's early flat hitting and led to her freezing whenever she had any opportunity. Only her serve saved her that day. The US final also showed how when it's not going well for Serena that she spends so much time having to keep calm that it can have a real negative impact on her play, cos she loses focus and rhythm.

It's making her feel uncomfortable though that is the hard bit, that's why it's so shocking when Serena does fray, cos most of the time she's so in control of her matches there is nothing for her to get stressed about.

BTW, I agree with your point about Azarenka, she does have great touch, I think she should move forward more, she's more than capable. She has excellent court-sense as well, and it's an area of her game that she doesn't get enough praise about.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

#3 Serena Williams

Weaknesses:
- Can be very up and down mentally. If things aren't going her way then she can go into complete meltdown. Opponents can get inside her head and cause her to doubt her ability.
This narrative is wrong. In 2012, Serena is 58-4. Of her 4 losses only one was due to mental break down.
 
#6 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Mine:

Victoria Azarenka
Strengths:
-The exceptional depth on her groundstrokes and her ability to create angles allows her to neutralize her opponents’ power until she can get a short ball to pounce on.
-Anticipates extremely well
-Terrific and consistent returner of serve
Weaknesses:
-Weak serve
-She doesn’t have the weaponry of some of her contemporaries, and she can be hit off the court by a power player on their game
-Forehand can break down

Maria Sharapova
Strengths:
-Hits the ball huge and with relentless precision
-When she connects on her returns, look out
-Fights like hell to the very last point
Weaknesses:
-Serena Williams
-Can be a bit predictable off the serve
-Can’t volley to save her life

Serena Williams
Strengths:
-Greatest serve in women’s tennis history
-Hits huge off the ground, moves extremely well, terrific volleyer, can play defense, great returner of serve
-When she’s on, she’s essentially unplayable
Weaknesses:
-Can put too much pressure on herself
-Can be a bit of a slow starter
-Her footwork can go off at times

Aggie Radwanska
Strengths:
-The rare WTA player that possesses some variety
-She’s a terrific defensive player
-Can go games without missing
Weaknesses:
-Poor second serve
-She struggles when she has to generate her own pace
-Her groundstrokes sit up on slower courts, giving her opponents time to tee off

Angelique Kerber
Strengths:
-Extremely fit and a terrific mover
-Can produce some incredible shots on the run
-Terrific competitor
Weaknesses:
-Also struggles to create her own pace
-Her serve could use some work
-Despite her competitive strengths she has gone away in some big matches

Sara Errani
Strengths:
-Like Kerber, she’s extremely fit and has clearly put in the hard yards off the court
-Competes so well
-She’s extremely consistent off the ground and has great depth
Weaknesses:
-Lacks power
-Faster courts dull her heavy topspin
-Serve is crap

Li Na
Strengths:
-When she’s on her game she has every shot in the book
-Has a lot of width on her groundstrokes
-Moves extremely well
Weaknesses:
-Maddeningly inconsistent, both mentally and in her tennis
-Seems to get too satisfied by a good run
-No plan B

Petra Kvitova
Strengths:
-On her day she can hit literally anyone off the court (save Serena)
-Has a great deal of variety
-She is a very naturally gifted ball-striker and hits the ball great on the run
Weaknesses:
-Fitness
-Streaky in basically every department of her game
-Very uneven mentally

Samantha Stosur
Strengths:
-The serve and forehand combo can be menacing
-She’s not the great volleyer the media makes her out to be but she’s still pretty good in that department
-Extremely fit
Weaknesses:
-Doesn’t have that explosive first step
-Falters in pressure situations
-Backhand can be a mess

Caroline Wozniacki
Strengths:
-Extremely consistent off the ground, can basically rally players to death
-Excellent backhand
-Mental stamina
Weaknesses:
-Her father
-Her forehand
-Her serve has deteriorated
 
#28 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Mine:

Victoria Azarenka
Strengths:
-The exceptional depth on her groundstrokes and her ability to create angles allows her to neutralize her opponents’ power until she can get a short ball to pounce on.
-Anticipates extremely well
-Terrific and consistent returner of serve
Weaknesses:
-Weak serve
-She doesn’t have the weaponry of some of her contemporaries, and she can be hit off the court by a power player on their game
-Forehand can break down

Maria Sharapova
Strengths:
-Hits the ball huge and with relentless precision
-When she connects on her returns, look out
-Fights like hell to the very last point
Weaknesses:
-Serena Williams
-Can be a bit predictable off the serve
-Can’t volley to save her life

Serena Williams
Strengths:
-Greatest serve in women’s tennis history
-Hits huge off the ground, moves extremely well, terrific volleyer, can play defense, great returner of serve
-When she’s on, she’s essentially unplayable
Weaknesses:
-Can put too much pressure on herself
-Can be a bit of a slow starter
-Her footwork can go off at times

Aggie Radwanska
Strengths:
-The rare WTA player that possesses some variety
-She’s a terrific defensive player
-Can go games without missing
Weaknesses:
-Poor second serve
-She struggles when she has to generate her own pace
-Her groundstrokes sit up on slower courts, giving her opponents time to tee off

Angelique Kerber
Strengths:
-Extremely fit and a terrific mover
-Can produce some incredible shots on the run
-Terrific competitor
Weaknesses:
-Also struggles to create her own pace
-Her serve could use some work
-Despite her competitive strengths she has gone away in some big matches

Sara Errani
Strengths:
-Like Kerber, she’s extremely fit and has clearly put in the hard yards off the court
-Competes so well
-She’s extremely consistent off the ground and has great depth
Weaknesses:
-Lacks power
-Faster courts dull her heavy topspin
-Serve is crap

Li Na
Strengths:
-When she’s on her game she has every shot in the book
-Has a lot of width on her groundstrokes
-Moves extremely well
Weaknesses:
-Maddeningly inconsistent, both mentally and in her tennis
-Seems to get too satisfied by a good run
-No plan B

Petra Kvitova
Strengths:
-On her day she can hit literally anyone off the court (save Serena)
-Has a great deal of variety
-She is a very naturally gifted ball-striker and hits the ball great on the run
Weaknesses:
-Fitness
-Streaky in basically every department of her game
-Very uneven mentally

Samantha Stosur
Strengths:
-The serve and forehand combo can be menacing
-She’s not the great volleyer the media makes her out to be but she’s still pretty good in that department
-Extremely fit
Weaknesses:
-Doesn’t have that explosive first step
-Falters in pressure situations
-Backhand can be a mess

Caroline Wozniacki
Strengths:
-Extremely consistent off the ground, can basically rally players to death
-Excellent backhand
-Mental stamina
Weaknesses:
-Her father
-Her forehand
-Her serve has deteriorated
OP and Griffin both made great lists, I'd like to add few things.

1. I don't think that Serena lets opponents get inside her head, my impression is that sometimes some bad misses get inside her head (rather than opponents) which was mostly visible in the first part of the season when she simply couldn't win ugly.

2. I don't think that Sharapova is the strongest mentally, Vika and Serena are stronger mentally.

3. Errani's return and mental fortitude are seriously underrated. I'd like to add it to list of her strengths.

4. Azarenka has a great touch, good volleys and drop shots.
I find these a great deal more accurate.
Especially Serena's critiques.

I would also add that Serena is more of a 'complete' player/athlete/strategist out on the court than most other WTA players, presently. And that she doesn't get enough credit for her on-court adaptability.
When others are receiving coaching from the stands, Serena is devising her next plan of attack.
 
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#7 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Great list. Very reasoned. Weaknesses of stosur and laborz had me in hysterics- bluntly put and are glaring when laid out like that!

Someone should do an 11-20 list :)
 
#9 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

1. Vika
+ deep groundstrokes
+ standing on the baseline taking the early ball (taking time away from her opponents)
+ excellent returns
+ been very mentally tough hanging in matches
- serve (was fine til indian wells but has been ropey since shoulder problems during the clay swing)
- running to her forehand
- clay

2. Maria
+ her returns
+ laser groundstrokes
+ her serve to the deuce side
+ resilience and mental toughness (against all bar a few)
- her serve to the ad side
- is prone to making a batch of UFE
- volleys

3. Serena
+ her serve
+ great defense and attach
+ returns
+ movement
- forehand can breakdown though has been tighter in 2012
- lazy footwork at times
- doesnt always play great against scrubs

4. Aga
+ great tennis mind
+ has lots of shots at her disposal
+ great defense
+ great movement
- still a bit powderpuff so is prone to being hit off the court/matches arent always in her hands
- Czechs
- second serve :help:

5. Angie
+ great defense and ability to turn defense into attack
+ great movement
+ has the game to challenge the big hitters
- serve
- mental checkouts
- doesnt have the best game to challenge the softer hitters

6. Errani
+ had a great off season preparing her body
+ had a great off season preparing her grunting
+ strategy
- serve
- groundstrokes
- being hit off court by players on their game

7. Li
+ groundstrokes
+ athleticism
+ serve can be great
- netplay :help:
- mental checkouts
- serve can be ropey

8. Petra
+ At her best i think can she beat anyone
+ great groundstrokes
+ good variety
- needs better fitness and prepare her body for the grind
- not always great matchplay (e.g. losing the big points)
- movement

9. Sammy
+ Forehand
+ Serve
+ has a nice collection of short tennis playing bitches/punchbags
- netplay :help:
- being tough on herself
- shanking the ball
- backhand
- doesnt have a plan B
- is collected by a number of flat hitting bitches as a punchbag

10. Caro
+ vulturing
+ her backhand
+ making players hit one more ball
- her dad
- her forehand
- her serve
- her netplay :help:
 
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#12 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

7. Li
+ groundstrokes
+ athleticism
+ serve can be great
- netplay :help:
- mental checkouts
- serve can be ropey
Good you mention Na's serve. I feel it's always overlooked. Of course it's inconsistent, but her whole game is, so. :lol:

- Petra's serve deserves some credit. It's definitely one of her assets. Her return of serve can be awful though, hence the poor break point conversions.

- Vika is underrated in the touch department IMO. It's a pity she doesn't always use her tools, because it's a joy to wath when she does. Serve is clearly the main drawback on her game.

- About Radwanska, I just want to say that I love it when she goes to the net, successful or not. Pity she doesn't have better approach shots. Her movement is great too, not the fastest or most explosive mover, but a very smart and efficient one.
 
#10 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

OP and Griffin both made great lists, I'd like to add few things.

1. I don't think that Serena lets opponents get inside her head, my impression is that sometimes some bad misses get inside her head (rather than opponents) which was mostly visible in the first part of the season when she simply couldn't win ugly.

2. I don't think that Sharapova is the strongest mentally, Vika and Serena are stronger mentally.

3. Errani's return and mental fortitude are seriously underrated. I'd like to add it to list of her strengths.

4. Azarenka has a great touch, good volleys and drop shots.
 
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#13 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Strengths in Green, Negatives in Red

AZARENKA
-This will sound weird, but I actually think the biggest key to her success is great "wrist-work" -- she is able to flick back ANY shots no matter how hard you hit them if they're within her reach (which isn't something you can say about Wozniacki, despite being a better defender than Aza overall), and for the same reason is also effortlessly able to redirect balls despite her lack of firepower.
-Excellent footwork and instincts of how to position herself and when to move forward, etc.
-Excellent focus, mental strength and poise under pressure

-Can be rather impotent against big hitters who are willing to use the full width of the court (e.g. Serena, Maria when she plays a good match, Li when not in brainfart mode), as her raw footspeed is not good enough to defend like crazy (a la Wozniacki/Radwanska) if she's being run side to side from one corner to the other, nor does she get chances to play offense against these players
-Serve, obviously


SHARAPOVA
-Best backhand on the WTA
-Weight of shot (though not necessarily raw pace of shot)
-Fighting spirit

-Despite being quicker sprinting from A to B than she's given credit for, she is still very bad at changing directions, meaning she remains a poor defensive player by the standards of the top 10.
-Footwork can at times be iffy, which is more fatal for her than other ballbashers because she doesn't have the kind of natural timing or raw pace that she can get away with it if she's not in exactly the right position
-Post-surgery, can be flakey in pressure situations.


SERENA
-Serve, serve, serve
-Excellent at creating angles and opening up the court with her forehand
-Mental strength, obvs

-Footwork can be comically awful at times, including in virtually every match on red clay since 2003
-Backhand, despite being her stronger wing at her peak, has been strangely going downhill in recent years, both in terms of potency and reliability


RADWANSKA
-Excellent anticipation
-Mixes up the placement of her defensive shots well, which can expose her opponents if their reaction times or footwork are off
-Occasionally capable of dictating play (to some extent) with her forehand by taking it on the rise

-Very poor weight of shot means she can often groove her opponent, even if they started the match out of form
-Poor upper-body strength makes her oddly inept at dealing with topspin.


KERBER
-Probably the best raw footspeed of anyone in the top 20 atm
-Forehand is very hard to read with it's super-snappy takeback
-Excellent competitor

-Technically-flawed groundstrokes mean she's generally incapable of being the aggressor in matches without collapsing in a mound of unforced errors
-Serve


ERRANI
-Excellent point construction
-Best net-player in the top 20
-Very good competitor

-Even though her will is never lacking, any top 30 big-hitter can take the match out of her hands, seeing as she needs lots of time for her offensive game to be effective, and she is not one of the top defensive players (away from clay atleast) either
-Serve....blabla.


LI
-Excellent raw footspeed
-Good at absorbing and redirecting pace and, as others have said, uses the width of the court very well
-Backhand is very effective finishing shot, despite not being heavy she hits it clean as a whistle and generally gets great length on it, as well as being reasonably reliable

-Her potentially great defensive abilities are unrealised due to her often poor footwork and court sense
-Forehand is a technically poor shot - OK-ish as a defensive shot, but technically incapable of holding up if she's trying to play out-and-out first-strike tennis with it, unless she puts GOBS of topspin on it (thus limiting the potency of said first strike)


KVITOVA
-Forehand among the most explosive shots in the history of the women's game
-Serve; even when she throws in a high-% first serve, it's still usually very effective due to the lefty spin, which makes it perhaps the most reliable serve at crunch times other than Serena's
-Contrary to popular belief, is comfortable in the spotlight and generally steps it up in big matches (as shown by how much stronger her Slam results were this year than her WTA results).

-Footwork very cumbersome
-Return, while deadly on the rare occasions she connects, misfires more often than not -- whether this is because of bad footwork or because she lacks the fundamental athletic dexterity to be a good returner, I don't know
 
#22 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

- Can be very up and down mentally. If things aren't going her way then she can go into complete meltdown. Opponents can get inside her head and cause her to doubt her ability.

Is this ^^^^ the joke of the day? Since when does Serena got get to Serena and players get in her head? Lmmfao ROTMFF
 
#24 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Mostly agree
but
-Sharapova is generally overestimated
-no one takes into account great net play of Radwanska. Her anticipation is not as great as you present it. It's rather variety of her shots and intelligent tactics
that give her advantage even over Top 10 players
 
#30 ·
#37 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

maria's mental toughness is overrated, its no better than serena's or azerenka's
what matches Maria lost in 2012 because of mental problems, choking?
 
#38 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Where are the people saying Azarenka is more mentally tough than Maria? Seriously? The girl chucks a tantrum the MOMENT she starts losing in a match. People think she's changed over the years? LOL - no - once a brat, always a brat. There is NO way Azarenka is more mentally tough than Maria - Serena I'll give you.

LOL - nice laugh there.

 
#39 · (Edited)
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Where are the people saying Azarenka is more mentally tough than Maria? Seriously? The girl chucks a tantrum the MOMENT she starts losing in a match. People think she's changed over the years? LOL - no - once a brat, always a brat. There is NO way Azarenka is more mentally tough than Maria - Serena I'll give you.

LOL - nice laugh there.

Some time ago Azarenka's tantrums were a sing that she was going to collapse, but now I think they help her more than they affect her. She has turned them into something positive, which shows that her mentality has improved.

I agree though that she's not mentally stronger than Pova, but somehow she's way fearless, at least at the moment.
 
#41 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Didn't Sharapova cry on court during a drubbing from Serena?
Doesn't speak much for the mentally tough argument.
 
#49 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Azarenka DOES fight through. I don't know what you people are talking about. Vika guts out wins.

The only thing is, Vika's quality of play doesn't range as high or as low as Serena's/Sharapova's. Her level of play is much more consistent throughout matches. That's a positive when she's playing most of the other women, but not necessarily a positive when playing Serena (or Sharapova) because they can both raise their level, imo.
 
#50 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Azarenka DOES fight through. I don't know what you people are talking about. Vika guts out wins.

The only thing is, Vika's quality of play doesn't range as high or as low as Serena's/Sharapova's. Her level of play is much more consistent throughout matches. That's a positive when she's playing most of the other women, but not necessarily a positive when playing Serena (or Sharapova) because they can both raise their level, imo.
Agreed I'd add Kvitova on the list and I feel like those players are well aware of that.
In all matches Vika and Maria played each other, Vika always had similar stats overall, it's quite consistent but her tennis isn't explosive. Like you said never too low never too high.
 
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#54 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Strengths:

Maria- Shrieking and OCD
Aza- Bitchiness and cooing
Aga- Pushing and frowning
Li Na- Insulting her husband
Kvitova- Hitting 20 errors in one point
Serena- butt size
Stosur- choking
Errani- Wa-heee!
Kerber- anger
:hysteric:

(Also, I've read people saying that Vika is better at returning a strong serve, while Serena is the best at punishing a weak serve. Thoughts?)
 
#74 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

Maria has to be mentally tough, because when her game is off, she really doesn't have anywhere to go. Her serve is too inconsistent, her defense isn't great, she doesn't have any real feel to be effective at net and her footwork is too flaky for her to protect herself when she's making too many errors. Maria's game is all or nothing, and when it's nothing her game is very one-dimensional and rigid.

But, she can keep herself calm, she takes it one point at a time, she wills herself to play better and has enough patience in her game that she believes it will come good before it's too late. Her losses this year have either come against players who were better on the day (like a Lisicki at Wimbledon for example) or players who are better overall than her, such as Serena.

Serena doesn't need to be as mentally tough in this sense, because she's a better player overall and she can be protected by her serve and good movement if her game is off. Her problem is when she gets rattled. When that happens, she does go into meltdown, such as at the French Open, or in the US Open in 2011. I think as well, being past 30 now and after everything she's been through, she also understands just how big slam finals and matches are. She knows she could break records, and she puts a lot of pressure on herself because she knows time is running out. An example of that was the second set of the US Open final, when she went to playing well, to playing poorly, in a matter of points, for no apparent reason. I believe the reasons for this was she knew she was in a position to beat those demons from the previous two US Open's and because she realised "oh my god, I could win grand slam #15", and began to feel the pressure of it.

But she only gets rattled on very rare occasions, and that's because she's in control of at least 95% of her matches, due to her strengths being so overwhelming. And even if she does gets rattled like example in the second set of the Wimbledon final, she can get herself back together if you give her enough time to do so.
 
#76 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

" #1 Victoria Azarenka
Strengths:
- Currently the best returner in the game "



I have heard this said about Sharapova also.

Serena IMO is the best returner in the game today

She is 8 - 0 vs the two players above

and her return was a major part of those victories.

the way she was slapping their serves around

Players are afraid to serve to her. Even good

servers have double faults when playing her.

they know they have to put something more on their serves

to keep from eating it...hence....doublefaults.
 
#99 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

" #1 Victoria Azarenka
Strengths:
- Currently the best returner in the game "



I have heard this said about Sharapova also.

Serena IMO is the best returner in the game today
All three have a great return of serve, but I admit that whenever I hear the words "return of serve" in the context of womens tennis that the first name that comes to my mind is Victoria Azarenka's. That girl definitely has a wicked return of serve. Serena has as well of course, but it really stands out in Vika's game as her main weapon, at least for me. It's like when I hear the word "service" I think of Serena, or "drop shot" - Radwanska for that matter. :)
 
#77 ·
At 4-4 30-30 which player are you going to bet on to pull through?

Throughout her career, Serena has shown an unparalleled ability to raise her game when her back is against the wall. She might have been missing all her backhands and forehand throughout the match, but when it comes to the clutch times she starts turning them into winning shots more often than not. Her will to not lose along with her serve as set her apart from all her peers

And LOL @ at people saying Martha wins ugly more times than Serena does so she is mentally superior. Martha has to win ugly because she is vastly INFERIOR as a player.

Sent from my Galaxy Note II using VerticalSports.Com App
 
#78 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10


Clock that T, bb.


*an example of this is when Serena was down at the US Open (Vika 5-4 30-15, I think) and Serena hit an unbelievable running forehand winner down the line. That point made the difference of either having to fend off 2 match points or having an easier chance of breaking Azarenka. Serena shows up, mentally, for those important moments.
 
#82 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

If Mashatards would just accept the fact that Serena IS better than Maria..mentally, gamewise, movementwise, etc... then there wouldn't be much problem.
they wouldn't , because Masha won 2 big Finals playing verus Serena and it's hers, nobody else won more big finals playing against Serena
 
#83 ·
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

they wouldn't , because Masha won 2 big Finals playing verus Serena and it's hers, nobody else won more big finals playing against Serena
2 wins followed with 9 losses in a row ( with scorelines 6-1 6-0, 6-1 6-1, etc..)
All those two losses have been set straight so thoroughly by Serena I mean..and you guys STILL talking?! :help:
 
#84 · (Edited)
Re: Strengths and Weaknesses of Top 10

2 wins followed with 9 losses in a row ( with scorelines 6-1 6-0, 6-1 6-1, etc..)
All those two losses have been set straight so thoroughly by Serena I mean..and you guys STILL talking?! :help:
or 2-6 7-5 8-6, 7-5 4-6 6-1, 7-6(9) 6-4

a number of players haven't won a match vs her, it will take centuries when the likes of overhyped here Azarenkas and Radwanskas will win 2 Finals versus Serena or maybe they will never do it

Henin won only 2 matches vs Serena outside clay , Clijsters, Mauresmo also only 2 matches , but only Masha is always being mocked for not beating Serena more
 
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