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Q&A Time

© Michael Cecilio

Who will shine in 2000?
I am pretty certain that the Top 4 who ended 1999 will also end as the Top 4 in 2000. However, I don't think that they are going to retain the same order. Out of the current four, I believe that Serena Williams has the best long-term prospects because of the fact she is mentally tough and she has no glaringly obvious weaknesses. However, I think 2000 will be the year for Lindsay Davenport. She ended 1999 on such a high note and if she can maintain that momentum while remaining healthy, it is going to be tough to beat her. Serena is yet to be completely dedicated to tennis, Martina is beginning to look vulnerable on the court and Venus does not quite seem to have the mental edge of the others in the Top 4. Look for Davenport to regain her US Open trophy next year.

Will Monica Seles retire in the next year or so?
There is some speculation that Seles will retire within the next year. With Graf and Novotna already retired, and Sanchez-Vicario and Fernandez well on their way to retiring, it seems as though that generation is moving on and allowing the new generation to take their place. Seles is a bit of a different story. The stabbing incident took away the many precious years that she could have devoted herself to the sport she was well on the way to dominating. Thus, she likens herself to the same playing age as Lindsay Davenport. Virtually fully recovered from the psychological trauma of the stabbing and having dealt with the grief of her father's passing, it seems that 2000 will mark the beginning of the new Monica Seles. She can finally put aside the emotional baggage of the past six years or so and just play tennis like the champion she was born to be. Health problems aside, give Monica another five years before she even considers quitting. Don't believe me?! Well, she has already signed a sponsorship deal with Yonex for another five years......

So will Monica be able to return to her glory days?
Well, the simple answer is no. Things are so much different now compared to the time when she dominated. The girls at the top are physically stronger - they hit the ball harder and are prepared to be out on court for as long as it takes. Monica prided herself on being the hardest hitter on tour when she was at her prime - now there are about five to ten girls who can hit the ball even harder than she does. However, I do believe that she can keep close to the girls in the elite four (Hingis, Davenport and the Williamses) if she completely dedicates herself to a new training regime - one which will allow her to lose weight and get her fitter. Girls can now hit harder than she does, and if she gives them the edge in stamina and mobility, it is going to be extremely difficult for her to make any strides as one of the elite. Nevertheless, her fighting qualities and her mental toughness are incomparable on the tour, and with a little bit of hard work and luck, there is no telling what could happen to Seles. In addition, she has teamed up with a new coach (Bobby Banks), who is no doubt going to help her achieve consistency and improved mobility, aspects of her game she desperately needed to work on from the past season. Given that she can stay healthy (which in itself is a pretty tough thing for her to do given the events of the past season) and that she can improve on the vulnerable aspects of her game, I do wholeheartedly believe Seles can win at least one more Grand Slam before her time is up.

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