Serena Williams Wins WTA Championships
To say Serena Williams’ year has been a winning one would be an understatement. Yesterday during the WTA Championships, held in Istanbul, Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, 6-4, 6-3, in the final. Williams had only 14 unforced errors and did not allow Sharapova a break-point opportunity.
“Now that I can be honest, I really wanted to win and win this title and put a little pressure on myself,” Williams said in her post-match news conference. “Yeah, I wanted it so bad, but I didn’t want to say it. I’m really excited that I was able to win it.”
Williams added: “I was like a heavy favorite going in to win this title, so for me it was really important. I mean, for my own sanity, so to say. I really wanted it, even though I didn’t need it. Like I don’t think I needed to do anything else this year — or any other year — but I really wanted to end on a good note.”
Williams ended the year with a 59-4 record and seven titles. Since her first-round loss at the French Open, she is 31-1, winning Wimbledon, the Olympic gold medal, the U.S. Open as well as the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford.
The 31-year-old became the oldest player to take the year-end championships. She will finish the year ranked No. 3, behind No. 1 Victoria Azarenka and No. 2 Sharapova, because she did not play as well in the first half of the year. Azarenka lost to Sharapova in the semifinals.
“I had such a good year, it was important to end on a good note,” Williams said. “It was good for my sanity to win. I really wanted it although I didn’t need it.”
In 2001 and ’09, Williams also won the elite, year-end tournament that brings together the world’s top eight players.
Congratulations, Serena!
Serena is ranked 3rd because she plays less tournaments than the other players. Serena is selective with the number of tournaments she enters in a given year hence her longevity at the age of 31. The WTA (Women Tennis Assoc.) ranking system is based on a points system awarded based on the number of tournaments and the level that is reached in each. There is no doubt that her stellar winning 2012 got her to third place. If she had played a heavier schedule and performed well her ranking could have lead to 1st place. You go Serena!