The williamses: just saying they're injured so they can skip the "smaller" tourneys???

Question

they seem to be doing this a lot lately... is this their strategy so that they can avoid actually getting hurt and to ensure Slam appearances?

don't get me wrong, i'm not hating, just observing...:)

Answer 1

I doubt they would do that just to miss a tournament. Every win gives them points. They must be seriously injured because I know they would not pull out and fake an injury just to avoid a tourney. They are so devoted to tennis and make commitments to it.

Answer 2

I think the question could be true as well as false depending on how you look at it.  I think they are hurt but not badly.  I think they are trying to save themselves for the Olympics and the US open.  The small tournaments tend to be far and takes a lot out of the players.  The Williams only need a few matches to get to top performance unlike many others who lack the confidence and points for ranking.  Ranking doesn't matter for them because they can find ways to win as they have multi facet games where as others have just one type  of game and need court time to be in top performance.

Answer 3

Well William sisters never seemed so interesting in the Small tourneys They dont play for months and then make a come back in the Grandslams It seems so irritating especially when they come with a wild card entry. But I really think that it is not a strategy. If we take a look at their history they have been very injury prone.

But yes absence of good players like the William sisters have made small tourneys very boring

Answer 4

I seriously doubt it. They were in contention for top ranking, Serena more so, and were hoepful just to go to Olympics. Their nagging leg/thigh injuries certainly sint helping any, and there is concern of them not being able to play in China, let alone "smaller tourneys".  

Answer 5

Well I try to believe all of the players when they say that they are hurt or sick unless we find out otherwise except maybe one player.    

Also, I don't every remember the sister's needing a wild card.  Have they ever done that?

Answer 6

i believe its true and false...

the willam sisters have been on tour for a while, so accumulative injuries are more so on them then anyone else....

they do have a tendency to skip the smaller events to focus on the bigger ones..

but reality is the rogers cup was one of the best tournaments outside of a grand slam.. its one of the TIER 1 events... also known as Canadain Open...

Answer 7

No, they aren't faking injuries, as frustrating as it is that they are always injured.  They have never played many small tournaments, even when they were at their best/ healthiest.  Look at 2002, for example, when the Williamses were No. 1 & 2 in the world, respectively.  Serena played 13 tournaments all year, Venus played 16.  (Which is average/ a little high for them) Meanwhile, no. 3 Capriati played 18 weeks, no. 4 Clijsters played 22, and no. 5 Henin played 24.  Their rankings at the time were also about 1800-2000 points ahead of the competition.  They have always felt that they can build a high ranking without these events; they just have to win all of the big tournaments.  I think the fact that they aren't dominating like they used to may actually make them play more of the smaller events, actually.  

Answer 8

Hi Mizhel,

Well, the WTA has just released new rules governing how many tournaments the top players had to play and stiffer penalties for withdrawls.

There is a list of 20 tournaments the players can choose from, and they are required to play a minimum of 10 of them. Five of the twenty are listed as mandatory, and players must participate in at least four of these.

Fines and penalties are also rising. Even if you are injured during an event and withdraw, you will lose any money earned and any ranking points accumulated. You can make it to the finals of the US Open and if you quit, you will lose all the poits you earned. Fines for dropping out before a tournament starts are also increasing. Up to $20,000 for some tournaments.

They planed to start this in 2010, but decided to go full force with it in 2009.

They might as well call it the "Williams Initiative" seeing has how those two are the most infamous for dropping out at the last second, giving subpar performances for early exits, and very questionable injury withdrawls in tournaments. Although, everyone in the top 20 are guilty of such acts.

Hope this helped. Have a great day.