Why Caroline Wozniacki couldn’t retain her number one position in WTA rankings?
Kim Clijsters’ impressive run this year has earned her the number one place according to the new WTA rankings released on 14th of February. Previously Danish Caroline Wozniacki held the number one position in WTA rankings
since early October 2010. Many think that she deserved to be there but others argue that she wouldn’t have been there if it weren’t for the William sisters being injured. As we watch Wozniacki play, we get to know that she is still in a learning phase very
similar to the process at the club level. “What is working today may not work tomorrow”.
However, if the former world number one can pick up the art of being more aggressive in her approach and get a more all–rounded game, she can definitely shut up her critics.
According to tennis experts all playing styles can be classified into three main categories: aggressive, consistent and a combination of both. Wozniacki style certainly falls into the second category being consistent. On the other
hand Serena William has the ability to adopt both styles as per the situation. To be honest, Wozniacki stays at the baseline most of the time during the match only coming forward when she is drawn in by her opponent. Even when she returns the short ball she
is happy to retreat back to the baseline. It feels like she is never in control of the point rather she outlasts her opponent. In the beginning, this strategy worked in favour of Danish number one as most of the top players were power hitters, not used to
playing someone who could return from the base line so consistently. But as they learnt that Wozniacki is more comfortable at the baseline, they started to test her skills by making her play close to the net, out of her comfort zone. Eventually the tables
were turned and the long rallies started to work against Wozniacki.
The years ahead will be of great importance to the Danish star as she will have to learn the art of staying close to the net and tolerate being there for longer periods of time. It is only through sheer hard work and all round
game that she will regain the number one player status again.
Wozniacki’s situation is very similar to that of junior level players. As the players improve their game and go up the ladder, their strong shots and points don’t seem to be so special. When they come across a harder player the
pressure starts mounting on them. The backhand slice comes to them a lot harder and lower and they are unable cope with it. Their movements on the court which were good enough against the low level players suddenly appears to be a lot slower against the harder
and top players because they have a wider range of angles.
Although the solution to these problems is simple on the paper, it may not be very simple to apply. A short memory is of great use for a professional tennis player. Wozniacki will have to forget what used to work for her, rub the
stuff off the board and make a fresh start. Gone are those days when opponents gave easy point and gifts. It’s a different world when you face the likes of Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters. It is essential to stay in the point for as long as possible, never
giving up until you see the tennis ball bouncing twice on your opponents half. Persisting with the same old techniques will only result in frustration and low confidence.
Wozniacki has a bright future ahead. Indeed she has shown on the court what she is capable of but she will have to learn fast if she wants to stay at the top in an increasingly competitive tennis world.
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