What will the WTA top look like in 5 years?

[warcrise]

A lot of people say Caro (Wozniacki) will never win a GS. That made me wonder; "Who will beat her and win the GSs when most of the current top players have retired?". In 5 years time Caro will be in her mid-twenties and probably at the top of her game, but who will the other players in the top 10 be?
And no; this isn't an invitation for mudslinging or an attempt to insult the 'older' players. I just want to put forth some of my thoughts and I'm interested in hearing yours.

Players more than 3 years older than Caro:
The Williamses and Dementieva: Almost certainly all retired by 2015.
Henin: 33 yo by then. Most likely retired, too.
Clijsters: I think she has a second child by then and concentrates on her family.
Bartoli: I don't think she'll ever win a GS.
Jankovic: She might still be there causing Caro trouble.
Kuznetsova: If she's still around I think Caro has the upper hand in their H2H by then.
Safina/Sharapova: Open question whether they can overcome their injuries.
Ivanovic: Will she ever be a top player again? I doubt it.

Players Caro's age or a little older:
Radwanska: Unless she seriously developes her game I think she'll always be a step behind Caro.
Azarenka: Powerful game, but will she ever attain the mental strength to go all the way?
Wickmayer: Possible future top player, but she's not there yet.
Lisicki: Her powerful serve causes Caro trouble, but she's unstable and struggles with injuries.

Players younger than Caro:
Oudin: Best as a counter-puncher. I think Caro will always dominate their H2H.
Pavlyuchenkova: Needs to grow a lot more fangs before she can threaten Caro.


As a Danish wit said; "It's hard to foretell, especially about the future". I could easily be wrong in my view of many players and the list isn't complete, either (for instance I know little about possible wonder girls in the junior ranks). But in my honest opinion Caro is the most promising player of her 'generation' and has a good chance of being the worlds dominating player in a couple of years when her game has fully evolved and many of her current competitors have grown 'old'.

Let me hear if you think I'm right or wrong. And please refrain from useless posts just saying it'll be the death of the WTA if Caro ever becomes no. 1. Who do you think will dominate the Tour when the Williams/Belgian quartet retires? Politeness and honesty will be much appreciated!

[beefcake]

alona bondarenko has some promise...

[kisado]

Alona Bondarenko? Lol.

warcrise you got it right. You know your women's tennis. Caroline is the best player out of the younger generation IMO. I think she'll win 1 or 2 GS's in the next 5 years or so, most likely the US Open. She's already reached a GS Final at her young age and will improve as the competition dwindles. The Williamses and the Belgians will be old and besides that quartet, I think Caroline is the best player. She is often chided for her lack of any discernible weapons, but I think her main weapon is her mental toughness. She never goes away. She never has an off-day really. She's steady, tenacious, versatile, and can only get better. She's also got a nice hatchet of a backhand that could be honed further.

Azarenka possesses a dangerous game. But, she has yet to prove that she could win a big match at a GS. Wickmayer with her serve and all-around game will be around at the latter stages of big tourneys, for sure. She's reached a GS semi already at 19. Ivanovic, sadly, is done IMO. I used to be a huge fan of hers. I mean, who could not? She was pretty and had a mean game. Her serve has become a sad comedy and her mental fortitude is flimsy at best. She will need a miraculous transformation of some sort to ever regain her glory days. Jankovic...she might sneak a GS, like a Myskina type win. She will need the stars to align. Sharapova is breaking down but I would never count her out. She could win another GS by peaking at the right time. Kuznetsova will show up at the latter stages of a few more GSs. Radwanska is solid but she is simply too passive to seize a GS victory IMO. She can improve though I suppose. Safina is mentally unstable and has folded under the immense pressure placed on her when she was a former #1. When she was in super form, she looked like no one, I mean no one, could stop her. She will have to prove that she can cope mentally. But, when her game is on she is capable of winning a GS on any surface. Bartoli will never win one. I fear her best effort ever was reaching the Finals at Wimbledon in 07, with that glorious comeback win over Henin in the SF. Dementieva, when in form, can beat anyone in the world. But, as long as the Belgians and the Williams's are around I think she'll be a perennial QF/SF at the majors. Zvonareva is good but not great IMO. Too many others lurking in the draw that would eventually knock her off. Na Li and Jie Zheng will compete at the GSs but it will be tough for either to win one.

Oudin, as you mentioned, is a counter-punching type who likes to deflect her opponent's power and use it against them. She's good for some shock upsets of power hitters like Sharapova with poor movement, but Caroline is like the 2.0 version of her. I agree with you, she will always dominate her. Pavlyuchenkova will be a future Top 10'er assuming she fills out her potential, but Caroline also owns her h2h. Lisicki has a power game, but she is very unpredictable and IMO a bit overrated at this point of her career. She hasn't really done anything quite honestly. I do like her game though.

[Tsonga]

i hope it is at least watchable...i can't stand women's tennis right now.

[EaglesPhan36]

It's going to be a topsy-turvy mess like it is right now as far as rankings behind Serena at #1. I think you'll see a lot of position changing during the year.

Wozniacki is going to be interesting to watch because she could be dominant if she gets that first Grand Slam in the next year or two and earns the confidence it brings. I think the mental side of her game is what needs the most improvement. Time and time again late in matches when they should be sewn up, she lets her opponent back into it .... the thing that would put her on top for sure is if she dedicates her training to developing more power in her serve. If she has any sort of consistent pop on her serve, I think she'd bar none be the future of the WTA. Someone needs to pull her aside and tell her that.