Let Ted Tinling rest in peace

Last week, the WTA ran a poll asking site visitors to choose the Best Win of 2004 from a list of five. All five were worthy wins, and I had to really think about it before I made my selection. This week, I was dismayed to see a new poll, Who Was the Year's Best Dressed?

Yes, it's interesting to see what Serena is going to wear next, and yes, it's nice that not all of the women wear plain tennis whites. But does this have anything to do with tennis? No, but it has a lot to do with sexism. If we were busy watching what the men wore (I'm looking at you, Andre--it's not too late), or if the news and sports media didn't focus on the bodies and clothes of women players to the point of nausea, then I would say go for it, have a little fun. But the sad truth is that tall, leggy blonde females who play tennis draw more attention to the sport than anything. This isn't to take anything away from those players, by the way; it is just an observation of the way things are.

There was a time, during the Virginia Slims tour--sometimes called the Golden Age of Women's Tennis--that the players did nothing to encourage the media's obsession with legs, navels, and booty, and forced them to analyze tennis. That time is over, and it saddens me that the WTA has bought into the preoccupation with women's bodies and clothes.

It may sadden you, too, but don't email the WTA: Your email will be returned as undeliverable.