Womens Player of the Year

[Moose]

I've included as candidates for our first annual Women's Player of the Year award the slam winners, as well as the women that help the #1 position during 2004.

Let the voing begin.

[Moose]

My vote went to Sharapova - by process of elimination.

I think you need a SLam to be Player of the Year, so that tossed Linds and MoMo.
Justine won the Oz and the Olympics, but just wasn't around enough this year to get POY.
Kuzny had a great year, and won the US, but just didn't have enough of an impressive season to win it.
Myskina came close - she won the French, which personally is my favorite Slam. Had a number of other successes. But I don't think she played up to her ability.

So by default, I am giving my vote to Masha. A great win at Wimby, beating Davs and Serena. A great run thorugh the YEC, winning the title. A highly unlikely rise to #4 in the World this year. I still see a lot of holes in her game, but looking back over the season, I don't think anyone else deserves it more than her.

[Sebastien447]

Wow what a tough vote this is

gotta go Linds ... even though she didn't win a major this year

[3mlm]

OK, I see it's me, Seb and Bets for Lindsey.

Go Lindsey ;D

[Moose]

then who is the other Masha vote?

[Doll_Face]

I voted for Maria eventhough she wasn't consistent throughout the year. Wimby & YEC won it for her.

[jimp]

I voted for Maria. Lets see if see stands up in 2005 with the Belgins and hopefully a healthier field.

[kittens25]

I gave it to Sharapova mostly by default. Many woman had very good years, and those 6 stand out a bit above the rest, with Serena close #7, but nobody had a player of the year or #1 quality year. Even a standard #1 should have atleast 1 slam win, made atleast 2 finals or 3 semis, and made atleast 3 quarters.
Along with that winning atleast 2 tier 1s, and atleast 6 tournaments, while having a winning or equal head to head with atleast 8 of the other 9 in the top ten. Nodody had close to that this year.

Sharapova's win at the year-end event gives it to her though in my mind.

Henin-Hardenne-A slam win, and an Olympic win, didnt play enough unfortunately. If she had stayed healthy she would have dominated the year, very unfortunate.

Davenport-no slam wins, no slam finals, no semis at year-end when she had a chance to make a stronger stamp on her #1 ranking. Very consistenly good slam results, alot of tournament wins, great summer streak, bad luck at the U.S open. Not enough though.

Mauresmo-like Davenport no slam wins, no final even at year-end when she had a chance to show herself a valid consideration for #1. Many good tournaments but just not that principle event win or even final.

Myskina-same slam results as Sharapova, win, quarter, two 3rd rounds, sad as it is, the best among the woman who had a slam win. Dont give it to her though since she blew great chances at both the Olympics and year-end to win and make a great stand for the #1 spot.

Kuznetsova-nothing that notable outside her U.S open win, almost same slam results as Myskina and Sharapova.

[Richard_Swales]

Amelie gets my vote, for pure consistency and guts!