[RVD]

Originally Posted by RVD

Simply because my arguments aren't delusions Matt.
With you it's always the same perfectionist requirements when you discuss Serena. Why is that?

Yes, some of my fellow Serena fans have in fact disagreed with me in this thread, and some have agreed with me as well. I read your posts. What's your point?
There is still no revelation expressed here from you Matt. You parroted what posters have already said.
And you didn't answer the question as to why you brought ONLY my name up when a few other posters shared in my argument.
So again, what point were you trying to make in bringing up my name Matt?

So is this your answer Matt?



So now asking you why you singled me out when others shared in my opinion is "irrelevant"?

Poor Matt has finally lost it, and can no lomger handle a simple question.

[TennisPhan]

Originally Posted by Matt01

LOL...Davenport was injured in 2002 and only played a few tournaments.
Henin and Clijsters in 2002 were nowhere near the level Azarenka or Pova are in 2012 and Venus was always Serena's underling in Slam finals. In fact, one could argue that the competition in 2012 was stronger than it was in 2002 which is also why Serena didn't even get close to the #1 ranking in 2012 (unlike 2002).

Of course achievement-wise (unlike what RVD claims ), 2002 was a much better year for Serena since she won more Slams, was more dominant overall and was #1 for the most part of the year.

I've been watching more vids of 2002-2003 Serena and it's even harder now to decide which version of Serena is better.. There are 2 discussions going on in this thread.

1. Which season was better: 2002 or 2012?

2002:
- 3 slams
- Lost in Finals of YEC
- 8 tourneys won
- 56 wins 5 losses
- Won against: 5-0 Capriati, 4-0 Venus, 2-0 Mauresmo, 2-0 Hingis, 2-1 Henin, 1-1 Clijsters

2012:
- 2 slams
- 1 Olympic gold
- Won YEC
- 7 tourneys won
- 58 wins 4 losses
- Won against: 5-0 Azarenka, 3-0 Sharapova, 2-0 Radwanska, 1-0 Kvitova, 1-0 Li, 1-1 Kerber

It's REALLY CLOSE with these results, but I would pick 2002, because she got kicked out of AO 2012 and RG 2012 by much weaker players and in 2002 she didn't play AO at all. I think as an achievement a GS and Olympic Gold is equal. There is 1 extra round in a GS, but tougher oponents in Olympics from the start.

2. Which version of Serena is better 2002 or 2012 (peak)?

2002 pros:
- Faster / better footwork -> returns more balls
- Slightly stronger mentally (did not cry or smash rackets)

2012 pros:
- Improved serve
- Improved shot placement
- 10 more years of experience, more variety

This is so hard to decide, but I would have to pick 2012 Serena, because of the killer combination of her improved skills. It beats the 'faster/younger' Serena in my eyes.

[Tag]

erm, 2002

this isn't even a question

all serve, movement limited serena versus all court, lightning fast serena...HMMMM, TRICKY

serena destroyed everyone that year

she even won matches on clay

it's a no contest

[TennisPhan]

I changed my mind.

After checking her stats and watching many highlights of her 2002 matches against the other greats of the last decade it's obvious that Serena of 2002-2003 was better than 2012 overall, because her movement and mentality was much better!

Serena record vs the best in 2002:

5-0 vs Capriati
4-0 vs Venus
3-0 vs Mauresmo
2-0 vs Hingis
2-0 vs Hantuchova
2-0 vs Myskina
2-1 vs Henin
1-0 vs Davenport
1-1 vs Clijsters


Serena record vs the best in 2012:

5-0 vs Azarenka
3-0 vs Sharapova
2-0 vs Radwanska
2-0 vs Stosur
1-0 vs Li
1-0 vs Kvitova
1-0 vs Errani
1-1 vs Kerber
1-1 vs Wozniacki

[Deestruction]

Well 2012, she won 2 gold medals, 2 slams and a YEC.

While in 2002, yes the field that year was the toughest ive seen in a long time. No year can top 2002's field of draws. 2002 was also impressive as well.

50/50 on both achievement wise.

[ZeroSumGame]

2002 was just epic for the indomitable Ms Williams, it culminated in her scooping up the 2003 prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards where Serena Williams was named Sportswoman of the Year

[Matt01]

Originally Posted by Deestruction

Well 2012, she won 2 gold medals, 2 slams and a YEC.

While in 2002, yes the field that year was the toughest ive seen in a long time. No year can top 2002's field of draws. 2002 was also impressive as well.

50/50 on both achievement wise.

Oh my.
I'm sure I've posted it already 567578 times (maybe even in this thread) but the field of 2002 was not clearly the toughest "in a long while", because Hingis and Davenport were out with injury/illness for long periods that season. The only decent competition that year for the WS which was left was Capriati.
And no, it's not "50/50" achievement wise. Serena won 3 Slams in 2002, only 2 Slams in 2012 (and lost early at the other Slams) so 2002 was clearly a better year for her.