So, if Navratliova beat Arantxa...
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I think the answer would be no.
I don't think she'd want to come back for singles in the first place, but I don't think she'd pick up a tier 3 title anyway, considering some of those fields are fairly decent with at least a few top 30 players in them.
Also, I think that she'd be a lot more nervous playing tour matches than she would playing in an exhibition match, which essentially is all in good fun anyway.
I think she could be ranked in the top 75, maybe a bit higher, simply because she is a very smart player, and her volleys are still fantastic, but her serve and movement probably wouldn't hold up enough to make much of a dent in singles.
I don't think she'd want to come back for singles in the first place, but I don't think she'd pick up a tier 3 title anyway, considering some of those fields are fairly decent with at least a few top 30 players in them.
Also, I think that she'd be a lot more nervous playing tour matches than she would playing in an exhibition match, which essentially is all in good fun anyway.
I think she could be ranked in the top 75, maybe a bit higher, simply because she is a very smart player, and her volleys are still fantastic, but her serve and movement probably wouldn't hold up enough to make much of a dent in singles.
I don't think it is good to have Martina back in singles tour for her sake and also for the validity of the WTA tour.
A <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> if Martina did win a title, what does it say about the tour? Even a 45 years old women can beat up the field.
B <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> What happen if she fails? Like one of those legend like Mat Wilander and Bjorn Borg, it really dented their tennis history.
C <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> If MArtina wins a title, what will it say about playes like Elena Dementieva and Anna Kournikova? The whole validity of teh tour will be completely gone.
Taht's my opinion
A <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> if Martina did win a title, what does it say about the tour? Even a 45 years old women can beat up the field.
B <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> What happen if she fails? Like one of those legend like Mat Wilander and Bjorn Borg, it really dented their tennis history.
C <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> If MArtina wins a title, what will it say about playes like Elena Dementieva and Anna Kournikova? The whole validity of teh tour will be completely gone.
Taht's my opinion
I think she wants to, and she knows she could be competitive with #17 - #32 players. But I don't think she wants to be embarassed. The way she lost to Monica would be fine. Double bagels, definitely not. I don't see a comeback happening. But you can tell part of Martina sure wants it. Especially considering poorly most players handled Tauziat's serve and volley. I think that's where Martina's head is at. Could she do in 2002 what Tauziat did in 2001?
The answer is no. But if she pickerd her Tier III right she could win it for sure.
The answer is no. But if she pickerd her Tier III right she could win it for sure.
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20,610 Posts
I think not. She'll be destroying her win lost records and stuff like that. Besides, it'll be a great joke if she did win a title. It'll show how terrible the standard of the WTA is... 45 year old women winning titles against women in their prime!! <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
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6,350 Posts
I don't think she should come back. It's one thing to do well in a couple of exos, especially where any nervousness would be on the other side. It's another to face these players under tournament conditions, with variant weather conditions, uncertain match times, and having to play a deeper field before squaring off against the top guns.
I don't neccessariy view the prospect of her winning a lower Tier event as being particularly damning for the tour. Virtually any player in the top 100 can win a lower-Tier event, and she's at least that good. And any of them can beat players at the top under the right circumstances. Plus, we are talking about someone who is the greatest player and greatest athlete who ever played the women's tour. She had a lot to give. If she could even get to 70% of her former game, that would be an excellent player.
The press, however, would opt for the most negative portrayal. If she wins, the tour sucks, if she loses, she's "tarnishing her legacy". However, if McEnroe were to come back and enjoy any success (he beat Courier routinely when Courier was still playing decent tennis, and allowed Arazi only 1 game), it would be hailed as a tribute to his greatness.
I don't neccessariy view the prospect of her winning a lower Tier event as being particularly damning for the tour. Virtually any player in the top 100 can win a lower-Tier event, and she's at least that good. And any of them can beat players at the top under the right circumstances. Plus, we are talking about someone who is the greatest player and greatest athlete who ever played the women's tour. She had a lot to give. If she could even get to 70% of her former game, that would be an excellent player.
The press, however, would opt for the most negative portrayal. If she wins, the tour sucks, if she loses, she's "tarnishing her legacy". However, if McEnroe were to come back and enjoy any success (he beat Courier routinely when Courier was still playing decent tennis, and allowed Arazi only 1 game), it would be hailed as a tribute to his greatness.
Martina has control over how people would percieve it.
If she returns and says, 'Well I'm obviously not what I was, but I think maybe I can get seeded at Wimbledon, and that would be really cool.' then people will view it in those terms.
If she comes back and says, I can still win tournaments, then she sure as hell better, or people WILL remember her for the failed comeback, not the 18 GS titles.
I'd love to see her play Birmingham. If she played some Tier IV tune-ups, she might just find a way to win Birmingham. If The Tennis Channel or someone would pick up some of the cost, she might just try it. And then do the commentary at Wimbledon.
If she returns and says, 'Well I'm obviously not what I was, but I think maybe I can get seeded at Wimbledon, and that would be really cool.' then people will view it in those terms.
If she comes back and says, I can still win tournaments, then she sure as hell better, or people WILL remember her for the failed comeback, not the 18 GS titles.
I'd love to see her play Birmingham. If she played some Tier IV tune-ups, she might just find a way to win Birmingham. If The Tennis Channel or someone would pick up some of the cost, she might just try it. And then do the commentary at Wimbledon.
If Navratilova comes back, that would be great. She doesn't have to worry about what people would say. If she doesn't do well, the comeback will be forgotten, but her stellar career will always be remembered.
Besides, everyone realizes that she's over twice the age of the top players. I don't think people would expect her to even come close to dominating. They'd just be happy to see her out there. Those who would condemn her for not doing as well as they expect aren't worth trying to impress anyway.
Besides, everyone realizes that she's over twice the age of the top players. I don't think people would expect her to even come close to dominating. They'd just be happy to see her out there. Those who would condemn her for not doing as well as they expect aren't worth trying to impress anyway.
I hope she comes back, although I doubt she will. This could be another opportunity for greatness. The chances of some other player dominating as Navratilova did in her heyday are small but not non-existent. However, the chance of a 45 year old ever doing what Navratilova could do today just ain't happening.
Come back Martina!
Come back Martina!
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If she comes back I will support her and go see her play. I may not like some of the things she says but she is a great player. Also If Micheal Jordan can do it then so can Martina.
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