For the first time since 1972 when the WTA championships were first held, the WTA championships taking place in Madrid this week will not include any American players. That’s because the top three American women — Lindsay Davenport, Venus and Serena Williams — are still recuperating from injuries. Of the top eight players who have qualified to play in this tournament, four are from Russia, two from Belgium and one each from France and Switzerland.
Beyond the top three players, the American cupboard seems bare. Several of the European players who are participating in Madrid weighed in on the void left by the American women.
The number one player, Amelie Mauresmo, thinks high expectations have taken their toll on young American players. “It is tough for the young ones because Americans have such a big history with players like Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles and Lindsay Davenport. So it is hard for the young ones to have the confidence to succeed.”
Elena Dementieva, who is ranked number eight in the world, believes the younger players from Russia and Eastern Europe are more hungry for success. “We are all very motivated and our parents were really involved in our tennis lives,” she says. “It’s really strange with all the system and the great practice conditions that they have in the United States. It is really amazing why they don’t have these players right now,” she adds.
Nadia Petrova, ranked number five, agrees saying that younger players are more hungry for success and tennis is seen as the road to fame and fortune. “Many players start with nothing at all and tennis gives them opportunities.”
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