What’s more, the average number of tournaments played by the top 10 currently stands at 19, not appreciably different from the past five years. The average number for the top 50 is 22, again similar to the past five years.But it is noticeably different from 1996, the last year the WTA had rankings that took the average of a player’s ranking points per tournament rather than adding up her best results. That year, both the top 10 and top 50 played an average of only 17 events. And by all accounts, the power and physical impact of the game has increased significantly since then, with a resulting increase in wear and tear.free game
“Women’s tennis has become so intense and powerful and strong, and I think obviously we also have to work harder outside of what we do on the tennis court,” said defending U.S. Open champ Kim Clijsters, who returned to the tour last season after a two-year retirement. “We did running, but now it’s the little details. Every little detail makes a difference, and I think we have to become fitter, faster, stronger.”
At the same time, having the big names present at the big events is vital for maintaining the sport’s profile and the prize-money increases that tournaments promised in return for better fields under the Roadmap.The Roadmap has reduced the number of events that top players are required to play but gives players less choice about when and where to play. Some players, including Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka, have publicly said they have played while injured this season to avoid the fines and penalties imposed for missing tournaments.flash game
Tour rules do not require players to play hurt, only to show up at certain events and do some publicity to avoid fines. But not playing does cost the big names a share of their bonus-pool money at the end of the year.Clijsters,
who played a heavy schedule during the first edition of her career but is now much more selective because of her commitments to her 2½-year-old daughter, Jada, likes the new structure. “I have to say the new system is a lot more player-friendly,” she said. “You don’t have to play every week but give yourself 100 percent when you can be out there.”
She wants her colleagues to take more responsibility for their schedules. “It’s a player’s discipline and professionalism to know when to play or how many tournaments am I able to play,” Clijsters added. “I think that’s something that is really important, is listening to yourself and not worrying a lot of times about points or about money. Because in the long run, if you’re fresh, all those things will get there, and you’ll play better and your points will come.”browser game