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What is in store for 1999? No one really knows, no one can be certain. But we can all speculate, and this is what I have done. Based on some telling stats this year, and perhaps maybe even more on my instincts, I have compiled a "What is to happen" report on the Top 10 players in the women's field for next year. Remember, it is only speculation..........
Her defence of #1 in 1999 will not be as harrowing as the ordeal Martina went through in 1998. Martina was not only faced with the burden of a talented field which was improving ahead of her, but she had 12 titles, 3 Grand Slams and 6300 computer points to defend. In 1998, she won 5 titles, defended 1 Grand Slam title and lost 1000 points on the computer. Next year, Lindsay has 6 titles, 1 Grand Slam title and 5600 points - much less of a burden, and much less of a pressure situation that Martina faced. Lindsay knows she can enter the year rather untroubled as most of her ranking points were obtained after Wimbledon, although she does have to defend her Pan Pacific crown and semi final showings at the Australian and French Opens. Not a problem! In the beginning of the year, no one expected Lindsay to consistently reach the semis of Grand Slam events, let alone even win a title. Now, the probability of her reaching the finals is incredibly high. Since the US Open, she has reached the finals of all WTA events she has participated in. Even when she hasn't been able to play well, especially towards the end of this year, she has developed enough self confidence and self belief to win matches when she is seemingly down. Miraculously, she has reached the finals on so many occasions this year even when not playing at her best. Just imagine what she is like when she IS at her best! I believe the top ranking for tennis next year will be battled in a three-way dogfight between Davenport, Graf and Hingis - perhaps even each taking the #1 spot at different times in the year, which would be a first in women's tennis! (however, I don't know if Graf can hold on as her time is clearly running out and her body is giving in) But I believe that Davenport, with the biggest game on the tour, is the most likely to succeed in the long run. I would definitely write her down for one or two Grand Slam finals - the Australian and the US most probably - and perhaps succeeding at one.
The copyright of the article Predictions for 1999 in Women's Tennis is owned by . Permission to republish Predictions for 1999 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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