Will Clijsters and Henin beat the Williams sisters to being #1 and #2 in the world?

the cat · Nov 13, 2001

For years now, people have said and thought that the dynamic Williams sisters would at some point be ranked #1 and #2 in the WTA ranking. I still think it's possible. But only if they become full time players. Because the WTA ranking is geared towards players who play alot of tournaments. Seeing how talented and dominant the Belgian duo of Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin are, and how they destroyed the field in the Fed Cup, I started to think that Clijsters and Henin, because they are so talented and play a full schedule, will at some point be ranked #1 and #2 in the world. The question is, will they beat the Williams sisters to it?

per4ever · Nov 13, 2001

I hope so <img src="graemlins/bounce.gif" border="0" alt="[Bounce]" /> <img src="graemlins/bounce.gif" border="0" alt="[Bounce]" />

I agree with the fact that the belgian girls together with the Williams sisters will dominate the WTA tour for a long while (I hope). Both Williams sisters are very powerful, but I really believe that Kim can win against them, and so can Justine. I hope to see interesting matches in the future, with all of them winning matches from eachother. I don't think that for example the Williams sisters will rule alone, or that Justine and Kim will rule alone.

cynicole · Nov 13, 2001

I actually typed a few paragraphs on how "impossible" it would be for Clijsters and Henin to occupy the top two spots in the rankings simultaneously. But the more I typed, the more I began to believe that maybe they "could" get there.

First off, Venus, playing the way she has this year, is still only no.3. Lindsay didn't even make a slam final and under the readjusted rankings I think she's still 2nd. Capriati...well, maybe I shouldn't even start on her.

To do it, though, at least one of them is going to have to pick up at least one slam. It's possible with the way some Slams "open up." They need good consistent showings though...and neither really has those yet.

As much as I would love to see it happen, I wouldn't put money on it. But it's not impossible. I'd even say it's not "unrealistic" either.

TSequoia01 · Nov 13, 2001

I also agree that they will become the big 4. Lindsay and Jennifer are older, while Hingis does not have the power to compete imo. But I don't feel either of the other three at this time can compete with Venus....case closed. Of the remaining 3, Serena rises to the top, then Kim with Justine bringing up the rear. As far as who will be #1 or #2, that depends on the Sisters not Kim or Justine. Injuries could also play a big role. But after saying all that, it is possible for either Kim or Justine to reach #1 or#2.

QUEENLINDSAY · Nov 13, 2001

I dont Williams sisters would be number 1 or 2 someday. We cannot tell, I maybe wrong buts that not a sure thing for the williams. If Davenport or Capriati or Martina would not be there in the future, I'm sure Belgians and Dokic and Shaunessy would give them a HARD time accomplishing 1 & 2. Maybe 1 of them could do it but not both of them. Williams again are over rated specially Serena, who proves not that much so far.

"This is my opinion, just respect it, I maybe wrong, but I think I'm right"

tfannis · Nov 13, 2001

I don't think Kim and Justine will be #1 and #2 at the same time, but I believe they can take one of the spots for a short time. Venus has to defend her points at Wimbeldon and the USO next year and I'm not sure she can win them again; Venus plays not enough to be a consistent #1; Serena doesn't play more than her sister and isn't as good as Venus, so... Lindsay is still a good player, I think.

To be honest, I don't have clue. We'll see. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

<img src="graemlins/wavey.gif" border="0" alt="[Wavey]" />

tfannis · Nov 13, 2001

I don't have A clue. I'm sorry

malaye · Nov 13, 2001

All of a sudden, there is a lot of speculations in the air about the "Belgian Jewels" being able to reach # 1 and 2 spots. That in itself proves how big a statement these two have made this year.

By the way, at Munich, Lindsay said that Kim had all the weapons to get at the very top (I don't know if she said that before or after the congratulatory note from Kim) <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> And last weekend, Elena Dementieva said in an interview that she could easily see Kim and Justine reaching # 1 & 2 ! The truth must be out there... But I honestly think that it will depend on Venus and Serena's commitment to the game. Getting a couple of wins against a player, and beating that player repeatedly are two different things. So far, if I am not mistaken, the only win from the Belgians over the Sisters was Justine defeating Venus in Berlin (on clay). Kim came close to defeating Serena twice, but coming close is just not enough. Let's see what happens. Next season is certainly going to be fascinating.

[ November 13, 2001: Message edited by: malaye ]

victory1 · Nov 13, 2001

Venus Williams Played 12 Tournaments Current Ranking: 3 Slam Results: -Australian: Semi -French: First Round -Wimbledon: CHAMPION -US: CHAMPION

Titles: 6 1)Ericsson Open (def. Capriati 4-6 6-1 7-6; Tier I ) 2)Hamburg (def. Shaughnessy 6-3 6-0; Tier II) 3)Wimbledon (def. Henin 6-1 3-6 6-0; Slam) 4)Acura Classic (def. Seles 6-2 6-3; Tier II) 5)New Haven (def. Davenport 7-6(8-6) 6-4; Tier II) 6)US Open (def. S. Williams 6-2 6-4; Slam)

Serena Williams Played 10 tournaments Current Rank: 6 Slam Results: -Australian: Quarter -French: Quarter -Wimbledon: Quarter -US: Finalist

Titles: 3 1)Indian Wells (def. Clijsters 4-6 6-4 6-2; Tier I) 2)Canadian Open (def. Capriati 6-1 6-7(7-9) 6-3; Tier I) 3)Munich Championships (Walkover; Highest tournament outside slams)

Kim Clijsters Played 22 Tournaments Current Rank: 5 Slam Results: -Australian: 4th Round -French: Finalist -Wimbledon: Quarter -US: Quarter

Titles: 3 1)Stanford (def. Davenport 6-4 6-7(5-7) 6-1; Tier II) 2)Sparkassen Cup (def. Maleeva 6-1 6-1; Tier II) 3)Luxembourg (def. Raymond 6-2 6-2; Tier III)

Justine Henin Played 22 Tournaments Current Rank: 7 Slam Results: -Australian: 4th Round -French: Semi -Wimbledon: Finalist -US: 4th Round

Titles: 3 1) Gold Coast (def. Farina Elia 7-6(7-5) 6-4; Tier III) 2)Canberra (def. Testud 6-2 6-2; Tier III) 3)Hertogenbosch (def. Clijsters 6-4 3-6 6-3; Tier III)

Let the records speaks for themselves, all Venus and Serena have to do is play more, in Venus case 15 would be enough, Serena could get away with 14 because with 7 zeros she still only 260 points behind someone who played 22 tournaments.

tfannis · Nov 13, 2001

That 's just the problem, victory1, they DON'T play more. That''s why Kim and Justine make a chance to get past them in the rankings. Serena being only a few points behind Clijsters isn't an argument; Kim wasn't in the top ten last year, Serena was; Justine wasn't even in the top 40. So if the Belgians would do slightly better than this year, they could leave Serena far behind. The records say nothing, let the future speak for itself.

victory1 · Nov 13, 2001

Justine would have to do more than slightly better, she needs to win a tournament other that a Tier III.

Volcana · Nov 13, 2001

I don't think K & J will ever be ranked 1 and 2 at the same time. If V & S don't do it in 2002, they probably won't do it either. K & J's biggest problem is the closeness of their ages to Venus and Serena. 21, 20, 19, 18 So they'll see a lot of each other. K & J can't wait for V & S to 'age out'. They'd have to actually BEAT them.

Venus is 900 points ahead of Kim playing half the tournaments. Serena is ahead of Justine and only 200 points behind Kim. Playing half the tournaments.

If you want to assume that Venus and Serena retire at young ages, the idea of Kim and Justine at 1 and 2 is quite reasonable. However, I've never heard Venus or Serena mention early retirement. (Richard, of course, suggested Venus would retire LAST year. Forgive me for not taking that seriously.)

We're also putting the cart before the horse. None of these players has ever been ranked #1 OR #2. Hmmmmm .. sounds like a thread.

the cat · Nov 13, 2001

Malaye, where was that Dementieva interview, where she said Kim and Justine could be ranked #1 and #2 in the world?

tfannis · Nov 13, 2001

Re to victory1: Those Tier III tournaments weren't the only thing Henin did this year. By slightly better I mean, for example, going one step further than a GS-final (I think she makes a real chance at the French). Besides her final and semi final at the GS(Serena made it only to one final, no semi in the other GS), she played very consistently, making it to finals and semi's of other tournements. Her game will also improve next year; she isn't as long on the tour as Serena; she will get some more experience.

victory1 · Nov 13, 2001

tfannis: I was just answering your questions. Anyway since you brought up slams Henin was out on the 4th round in 2 slams this year. Also you make it seem like Serena and Justine are years apart in age, but the true facts is a mere 10 months seperate them. One was born in June 1, 1982 and the other Sept 26, 1981. Anyway making it past the Semi in a slam does not guarantee you a win, just ask Hingis-talk about consistently making the semis in slams. Anyway, since this year was their 1st sucessful year, it's hard to judge just how great they will turn out at least until this time next year. It's easier getting to the top, it's harder staying there. My hat is off to Hingis, Davenport and Venus (finished in the top 4, 3 years in a row and 2 of them are only 21)!

QUEENLINDSAY · Nov 13, 2001

I'd pick the belgians over Williams in the future. Williams will never taste number 1. maybe 2 or 3. After Davenport,Hingis or Capriati relinguished the TOP ranking, it would be for the younger Jelena,KIm,Justin,Shaunessy & Dementieva

GO BELGIANS!!!!!! You have started already what damage you can do.

KIM would be the next BIG Babe of Tennis after Lindsay.

TSequoia01 · Nov 13, 2001

I see all 4 players improving in 2002. But the player improving the most will be Serena. Why? Because she is dealing with her mental issues. With no mental issues Serena is as formidable as any player who has ever played. Venus will continue to improve her physical game. Clijsters will also improve and cut down on her UE's. That is what defeated her in Munich. She can actually defeat Lindsay! Justine is still experimenting big time and her all around game may take longer to develop than the rest.

tfannis · Nov 14, 2001

victory1: I never said their was a hugh age-difference, I said their was a big difference between their experience. And I never said she IS going to win a GS, I said IF she wins a GS she might leave Serena far behind. The future will tell.

malaye · Nov 14, 2001

The Cat : here is the link to the article about Dementieva saying Justine and Kim could become n° 1 and 2 : <a href="http://www.dhnet.be/dhsports/article.phtml?id=29223" target="_blank">http://www.dhnet.be/dhsports/article.phtml?id=29223</a>

I am afraid it's in French. Just shout if you need help with the translation.

[ November 14, 2001: Message edited by: malaye ]

Sam L · Nov 14, 2001

I think it's highly probable that Kim & Justine will be ranked #1 & #2 one day... Whether they do that before or after the Williams sisters is highly irrelevant!!!! Just them getting there one day will be good enough for me <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Will Clijsters and Henin beat the Williams sisters to being #1 and #2 in the world?

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