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**Andrew..** · Oct 18th, 2006, 09:59 PM

2006 will go down as the worst year for American tennis in the Open era. In singles, Americans captured a total of three (3) titles this year, two won by Meghann Shaughnessy at Rabat and Forest Hills, and one by Vania King last week. However, Lisa Raymond is the doubles #1, and captured a slam title. Lindsay Davenport will be the American #1 for the third straight year, but from the world's #1 last year, she'll probably finish this year barely inside the top 30. Below that there are the following players: Meghann Shaughnessy, Shenay Perry, Jamea Jackson, Venus Williams, and Vania King.

So the question is, what do you think 2007 will bring for American tennis for the following players:

Lindsay Davenport

Meghann Shaughnessy

Shenay Perry

Jamea Jackson

Venus Williams

Vania King
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Serena Williams

I think Vania King is the USA's best young hope for the future.

Robynho · Oct 18th, 2006, 10:01 PM

Davenport will probably retire...can't think of much else happening, really.

pierce0415 · Oct 18th, 2006, 10:04 PM

realistically:

Linds: will retire after USO without winning another slam
Vania: break Top 30
Serena:

Venus: will barely play but will reach SF @ Wimbledon
Shenay: Top 40
Jamea: Top 30
Meghann: stay where she is now

**Andrew..** · Oct 18th, 2006, 10:11 PM

I'll give my thoughts.

I'm not even sure if Davenport will or will not play. If she does, I see her improving her ranking and breaking back into the mid-low end of the top 20 before retiring after the US Open. But if she shows up with the attitude she had in China, her ranking could just freefall.

Meghann can only gain early in the year until Miami, and from then through June she shouldn't have too much of a problem defending points. After that though, it will be hard for her to move up much.

Perry has very up and down results. You never know with her. Same with Jackson.

As I said earlier, I think Vania is the US hope. She's improved tremendously as of late, she's very young, and she plays with confidence. I could see her breaking the top 40 next year, maybe even the top thirty, and in the years following, I think she could go even further.

I have no idea what goes on with Venus and Serena. If Serena wants to, she can come back and play top level tennis still. But she had to dedicate herself to fitness and training, and I don't know if she's willing to do that. Venus is always going to be one of the most dangeous players on a grass court, but she showed this year that the natural talent can only get you so far. Regardless, I think they'll both end next year ranked higher than they are ranked now.

ZAK · Oct 18th, 2006, 10:13 PM

The US has three titles as King just won Bangkok last week

¤CharlDa¤ · Oct 18th, 2006, 10:15 PM

I think next year will be another tough year for Americans, and I think only Venus and Serena coming back decently could be the opposite. King and Jackson are for sure the next hopes, I expect both to go up next year, but better than top 25 would be pushing it. Meghann is a tricky one, she had talent, but her time is running out. Linds should do some good results. but not enough of them to go back to 5 and maybe even top 10. One thing is sure, it's going to be interesting.

The Daviator · Oct 18th, 2006, 10:28 PM

Lindsay, Venus and Serena, will all improve on 2006's disaster season, and they'll, once again, be the 3 women keeping interest going in States, the rest, as usual, will be pretty anonymous...

Brooks. · Oct 18th, 2006, 11:17 PM

If Venus & Serena are healthy then the results will come

If Serena dedicates herself to training she'll be back in the top 10 ...same with Venus

big if's though

I think Lindsay will play 07' but skip the clay season..retire after the US Open

Vania will crack the top 40...Jackson and Shenay are unknown quanities at this point

brunof · Oct 18th, 2006, 11:33 PM

What about Miss Jill and Amy? And I hope Jenn will be back sometime in 2007.

Top 100 in 2007: (At least cracking it, or staying above 100)

Davenport
Serena
Venus
King
Jackson
Perry
Shaughnessy
Craybas
Frazier
Tu
Granville
Harkleroad *She can now refocus on tennis
Raymond
Mattek
Spears
Rolle
Osterloh
Washington
Dillingham

hurricanejeanne · Oct 18th, 2006, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Daviator

Lindsay, Venus and Serena, will all improve on 2006's disaster season, and they'll, once again, be the 3 women keeping interest going in States, the rest, as usual, will be pretty anonymous...

I pretty much agree that Lindsay, Serena, and Venus if all healthy with reasonable schedules and results will rebound.
The big question is how much will they rebound?
We all know what they're capable of.
They all have virtually no points to defend from this year into next so they can really only go up in terms of rankings.
2007 will be a very interesting year.

I'm not sure whether Lindsay will play next year or not. There are a lot of "mixed signals" but we'll see. I hope she does, and if she shows up with at least the form she had in New Haven this summer at the start of her comeback she can still do some damage.

tennisbuddy12 · Oct 18th, 2006, 11:42 PM

If Venus,Serena, and Lindsay are healthy...top 10. Also top 50 will have Granville,Craybas,Jackson, and King. Ashley can re-crack the top 40 again after splitting up with Alex and re-focus!

~Eclipsed~ · Oct 18th, 2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brunof

What about Miss Jill and Amy? And I hope Jenn will be back sometime in 2007.

Top 100 in 2007: (At least cracking it, or staying above 100)

Davenport
Serena
Venus
King
Jackson
Perry
Shaughnessy
Craybas
Frazier
Tu
Granville
Harkleroad *She can now refocus on tennis
Raymond
Mattek
Spears
Rolle
Osterloh
Washington
Dillingham

LMFAO at that one. That's a good one! Dillingham is def the best hope!

anyway here's what i think...

I think Venus will come back strong, but not sure why i don't feel the same about Serena. You just never know with her i guess.
Davenport is going to retire very soon(wouldn't be surprised if it was after this season)
Jackson i think will rise, but not sure about Perry...she's too inconsistent, but it feels like if Jackson gets the right draws she'll be able to do some damage.
Frazier and Tu might retire...if they don't they should. maybe the same with Osterloh and Washington...

I agree with everyone saying that King is the best hope. She's been playing very well lately.

2 players that people haven't mentioned that much are Harkleroad and Rolle. I think Harkleroad will get better now that she is divorced and has a new coach. Rolle has had some decent results on the itf...if that transitions to the tour...who knows?

I just really wish there was a big generation of Americans coming. I mean when the Russians started coming you knew that they were gonna reach the top and they have. There's not really a big group of Americans that you can see cracking the top 30 in the future (Unless your talking about Davenport, Venus, Serena...etc), but i'm talking about a younger generation.

American tennis...where are you?!

njnetswill · Oct 19th, 2006, 12:22 AM

I really wants the Williams sisters back, but I don't they will ever be 100% healthy/dedicated again. It is a pity.

égalité · Oct 19th, 2006, 12:26 AM

Lindsay Davenport- She'll probably retire.

Meghann Shaughnessy- Lower end of the Top 100.

Shenay Perry- SHENAYNAY GON' MAKE THE WIMBLEDON QF. And do nothing else the rest of the year.

Jamea Jackson- Probably win a few small titles and remain in the Top 30.

Venus Williams- Uh... I don't know. She'll only enter the majors, and then either win them or lose in the first round to a Bulgarian.

Vania King- Hopefully Top 20, but probably Top 30.

Serena Williams- I'm at a loss.

Derek. · Oct 19th, 2006, 02:05 AM

Davenport: Top 10 and then retire.
Shaughnessy: Top 50
Perry: Top 40
Jackson: Top 30
V. Williams: Top 10
King: Top 30
S. Williams: Top 10

Also Lauren Albanese who I think will crack the top 100 and go even higher.