WTA Roundup: Top 10 Players in 2013

Serena Williams of the United States and Na Li of China pose for photographers during the trophy ceremony after the final of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships at the Sinan Erdem Dome.

1) Serena Williams

Need I say more? Serena Williams not only had one of her best seasons on tour but also one of the most dominant ones in WTA history. A mouthwatering 11 WTA titles, including two Grand Slams at Flushing Meadows and Paris, and a 78-4 WL on the tour, has comfortably seated the American atop the WTA Rankings at the end of 2013.

Titles: 11Win Loss: 78-4Prize Money: $12,385,572

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 3Year End Ranking: 1

2) Victoria Azarenka

Another successful year for the Belarusian, highlighted by her defence of the Australian Open. While many may think it was mostly a year of playing second fiddle to Williams, Azarenka had two high-profile wins over the American (at the Doha and Cincinnati finals) and pushed Williams to the brink in almost all of their other meetings.Titles: 3Win Loss: 43-9Prize Money: $6,497,165

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 1Year End Ranking: 2

3) Li Na

Probably the most improved this year among the Top 10,Li Na impressively attained the missing element of consistency which she was lacking in previous years. While still missing the prominent titles, the Chinese had some impressive outings including reaching the semi’s of the US Open (her best ever result), as well as reaching the final of the year-end Championships. With the wise Carlos Rodrigues as coach, Li Na also ended the year at her personal best of No.3.

Titles: 1Win Loss: 44-14Prize Money: $3,982,485

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 7Year End Ranking: 3

4) Agnieszka Radwanska

A consistent year for the Pole again saw her finishing in the Top 5. While not notching big wins against the Top 4, she did however establish herself as someone to be afraid of for the rest of the tour. Radwanska also again had a strong showing at Wimbledon (reaching semifinals) and achieved her personal best results at both the Australian Open and French Open (quarterfinal in both).

Titles: 3Win Loss: 56-19Prize Money: $3,118,332

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 4Year End Ranking: 4

5) Maria Sharapova

Sharapova was sidelined for the majority of the second half of the year, and hence did not finish with the results she had hoped for. But, the Russian’s strong first half, especially the clay season (runner -up at French Open) saw her maintain her Top 5 ranking despite her injury.

Titles: 2Win Loss: 37-7Prize Money: $3,544,222

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 2Year End Ranking: 4

6) Petra Kvitova

A very up and down season for the Czech, Kvitova had both stellar weeks as well as embarrassing ones, yet due to her strong selective showing, picked up a handful of titles as well as maintained her year-end Top 10 ranking.

Titles: 2Win Loss: 51-23Prize Money: $2,853,474Ranking at beginning of 2013: 8Year End Ranking: 6

7) Jelena Jankovic

An exhausting yet fruitful season for the former world No.1. The Serbian started the year outside the Top 20 but finished inside the Top 10 and had some memorable fights with the Top 5. The icing on the cake was another deserved trip to Istanbul for the year-end Championships.

Titles: 1Win Loss: 46-21Prize Money: $2,030,349

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 22Year End Ranking: 8

8) Sara Errani

Another Top 10 season for the Italian saw her again reaching the latter stages of the French Open as well as playing a hectic schedule of both doubles and singles. While consistent throughout the year, the Italian lacked a considerable big moment except her French Open semi-final run.

Titles: 1Win Loss: 49-24Prize Money: $3,073,992

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 6Year End Ranking: 89) Simona Halep

A personal favourite story of 2013 for me was Halep’s breakthrough year. The Romanian ended the year at the cusp of the Top 10 after a mammoth 6 titles, only second to the World No.1. With practically nothing to defend for the first half of 2014, Halep may have just got a jumpstart from her spectacular 2013 run.

Titles: 6Win Loss: 53-17Prize Money: $1,222,446

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 47Year End Ranking: 1110) Marion Bartoli

The Frenchwoman had probably the most bittersweet season of her career. Bad, because it was her last and good due to her finally winning her favourite Grand Slam, Wimbledon. While Bartoli actually didn’t have an overall great 2013 season, her Wimbledon victory completely overshadowed her defeats.Titles: 1Win Loss: 22-14Prize Money: $2,890,132

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 11Year End Ranking: 13

Special Mention—Sloane Stephens.Another breakthrough run was that of Sloane Stephens. She had great 2013 Grand Slam results, highlighted by her memorable run to the Australian Open semi-finals. The American while impressing on the big stages had average outings for the rest of the year, and hence didn’t find herself in the Top 10 list.Titles: 0Win Loss: 39-23Prize Money: $1,498,608

Ranking at beginning of 2013: 38Year End Ranking: 12