2009 WTA Player of the Year

[falafaclese]

Another year down, and it's been nothing but drama! Vote for the person you think had the biggest impact on the tour this year. Maybe someone won all the big titles that you care about, maybe someone obtained the number one ranking at some point, maybe someone had a significant breakthrough, or maybe someone commanded the most drama and attention for one reason or another. Whatever you like. I made some somewhat arbitrary assessments in picking the list. I thought these were the names that I thought were in the running, but what the hell do I know? If you disagree, feel free to choose "other".

Also, feel free to discuss at length, or if you'd rather just vote and not explain, that's good too.

I decided to choose Serena for obvious reasons, although there were a couple of other people I toyed around with. Even though Dinara failed to win a slam, she was number 1 for the biggest chunk of the year, and let's face it most of the drama this year was all about Dinara. I also thought about Caroline because of how popular she is, and her runner-up performance at the U.S. open. She has a lot of heart, and it will be interesting to see how she manages in 2010. Ultimately though, I had to go with Serena because she had it all: major titles, the year-end number one, and the drama (ie. her soundbites, and her sub-par non-slam performances).

[acre]

Oh, tough one! At first I was like, Serena of course!, but then I decided that the one who made me happiest was Kim, and her return, the way she returned, her results - was a pretty damn big story. I mean on most every stat and factor it would have to be Serena, but Kim's the feel-good choice for me.

[tikigirl]

I'm going with acre -- also because Kim beat Serena at the USO. Great accomplishment.

[Mpol]

Despite Kim's accomplishment's being nothing short of jaw dropping, Serena's two majors and ending the year at #1 trump Kim's achievements.

A weird year in teh WTA Tour. I hope next year can look up. Seriosuly I don't think it can get worse.

[acre]

Actually I agree with you Mpol - Serena is definitely the player of the year by achievement and impact, no doubt, not even much competition based on results. Yeah Dinara won a lot and contributed to a lot of discussion, but the stuff you cited trumps anyone else. Kim's just my sentimental choice.

ETA: Heh, yeah I see it's still only 6 votes total, but it sure is clear that Kim is a whole lot more popular than Serena! Cause rationally Serena is the obvious choice, but Kim's got her 2 to 1 so far. Okay by me - the WTA is in dire need of feel good stories and players, and Serena dominating is very deserving of respect, but also same-old same-old. So long as she's been healthy and into it, she's been the best player for ages, in reality even when not in the record books.

[vallegirl]

I actually think Kim had a greater impact than Serena. Her run at the USO was what drew people into the tournament. Had she not performed as well as she did, it would have just been another year where Serena can't be bothered to put forth maximum effort anywhere but at the Slams.

Kim wasn't just a feel-good story. She won a GS tournament in her first try after a long layoff. Her win showed that she is not just coming back, but capable of being a threat in the major tournaments. For that I think she qualifies as the WTA player of the year over Serena.

[tikigirl]

Meh. It's hard to argue against Serena, but this was not the WTA's finest year.

ETA to be clear: I voted for Serena.

[oopssorry]

Serena. Who even in her most despicable moment showed more passion for tennis and intensity about her own tennis life than I've seen in many of the women in a long time.

[roseha]

I voted for Serena, but I give honorable mention to Henin for staying away for a year.

[Mpol]

Totally LOLED. Hee!