Ten years ago, the WTA Tour turned 30. Pimm's for everyone! Also worth celebrating: at the time, the ladies' game was in great shape. Top of the rankings were the brilliant Williams sisters, stalking the courts with haughty brawn. They might have thought it, but the sport wasn't all about them. Women's tennis was packed with talented players who had clearly discernible personalities: the bad girl made good (Jennifer Capriati), the smiley Belgian (Kim Clijsters), the not-so-smiley Belgian (Justine Henin), the Swiss Miss (Martina Hingis), the one you rooted for because just getting on court was a feat of human fortitude (Monica Seles). Even the European anono-wallopers seemed to have memorable names: Smashnova, Casanova, Dementieva.
This year, the WTA Tour turned 40. This deserves a drink, but after the Pimm's reception, there needs to be a discussion. Scan today's top ten and only two names really announce themselves: Serena Williams, now 30 and presumably hoping for her Indian Summer, and current world number one Maria Sharapova. Frankly, the casual tennis fan would have trouble picking any of the others from a police lineup. "No officer, I'm not entirely sure I have seen this Agnieszka Radwanska character before..."
To claim the women's game lacks quality is inaccurate, and sometimes insinuated with sexist ignorance. The standard of play is probably higher than it's ever been. What it lacks is personality and anything approaching an engrossing rivalry. The last ten Grand Slams have been won by eight different players, which may represent strength in depth, but it also prevents the next big final from becoming an event. There's tension every time Rafael Nadal squares up to Novak Djokovic, because we know their history, and we feel it changing slightly with every serve, smash and (gulp) double fault.
Back in 2002, I remember leaving the living room to sulk when Henin beat Seles in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon. When Kvitova topples Wozniacki at the same stage this year, I'll still be at my desk, consulting Wikipedia to find out exactly which one she is. Women's tennis is in desperate need of some new stars - or maybe it's just time for Hingis to come out of retirement again?
