The sporting strength of Tennis, a popular sport throughout the world which originated in the United Kingdom in the late 19th century, has descended into an interesting talking point to sport analysts.
The game has vastly expanded over the last couple of decades, increasing the participation from smaller nations in Eastern Europe whilst continuing to grab the hearts of the larger nations. However there still lies a large gap that embroils the difference of quality depth in the women’s game compared to the men’s.
Evidently the strength in depth of the men’s game has developed greatly over the last 5 years. The top four men have the potential to create the greatest era of Tennis there has ever been.
The Federer flair mixed in with the strength of Nadal has caused the utmost of entertainment. Add the guile of Murray and Djokovic and the power players such as Del Potro and Roddick the recipe for success is all there.
The Tennis Big Four Will Expand
Over the last couple of years, the major championship finals have been interesting affairs. Three of the last Four major finals have gone to five sets, Roger Federer being in all four, however successful only twice, including an elusive French Open title and an epic 16-14 victory over Roddick.
The game is full of excellence, the matches are interesting and the players are pushing the lines more than ever before. Baseliners may now have overcome the serve volleyers, with a greater variety of points and a need for higher consistency and pace to a shot.
The new style of wearing an opponent down with bludgeoning returns have entertained crowds and increased the viewer figures from a period of dominance that Federer was able to create.
It is in the Women’s game in which the debate to how strong the depth in the game is rife. It is clear to onlookers that the Williams sisters are the dominant force. The fact that they hardly play on the circuit all year, therefore not handling the number one ranking is the first talking point of the analysts.
Clijster’s Return Shows Off Lack Of Depth
The other, how a retired player can return to action and defeat all other professionals in her way who have been training solidly for the last two years when Kim Clijsters has been messing around with her toddler. Yes, talent is never lost and no doubt Clijsters put in her all to get back to full fitness before the event but where were the other challengers for such a major event as the US Open.
Again the talented Serbian duo Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic disappointed, the top Russian seeds Safina and Kuznetsova failed to impress and it was left to a young Dane to put up a challenge in the final. There is clearly talent, but the game has changed for the worse since the likeable figures of Virginia Wade, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. The public are not enthralled, and the game play causes little excitement.
The problems that have arised is in stark contrast to the prominence of the men’s game. It is important to think that Tennis is a brand that needs to be marketed across the world. With the increase of money throughout sport it is important the players and the tournaments manage the women game properly not to taint the thriving strength of the ATP but must reconnect the players with the target audience with the necessary personalities that do not just connect to the lad’s magazine readers.
