The WTA tour--the Walking Wounded
Lindsay Davenport, who went on a hardcourt tear last year and won four consecutive tournaments, was unable to defend any of them during the past few weeks because of a lower back injury that occurred during her heartbreaking Wimbledon final. Serena Williams had to withdraw mid-way through the Rogers Cup competition in Toronto this week because of a knee injury; a few weeks ago, she was out with an ankle injury. Both Williams sisters were frequently off the tour with various injuries last year and the year before.
Maria Sharapova also withdrew from the Rogers Cup tourament because of a pectoral strain. Mary Pierce, who recently won the Acura Classic in San Diego, withdrew from Toronto and from the JPMorgan Chase tournament in Los Angeles because of a strained right quadriceps. Anastasia Myskina and Li Na both have ankle injuries, and Ana Ivanovic has a pectoral strain, and had to retire during the third round of the Rogers Cup. Li Na had to retire also; Myskina just kept on playing, though obviously in great pain; it is possible she will not be able to play in the quarterfinals. Elena Bovina, last year's Pilot Pen champion, will not be defending her title in New Haven next week because of a shoulder injury.
Kim Clijsters, who is tearing up the hardcourts this year, was out almost all of last year with a wrist injury, and there have been numerous other injuries among WTA players. There are two factors that are usually considered to be the cause of so many injuries: the lack of time off for players, and the use of metal racquets. Though some of us long for the days of wooden racquets, they are not going to return, so there needs to be an assessment of the tour schedule. Of course, players choose which tournaments they wish to compete in, but if they do not compete in several, they cannot stay ahead point-wise.
It isn't looking too good for the U.S. Open, which is a real shame.
Update at 7:20 p.m. CST: Nadia Petrova just retired in the third round of her Rogers Cup quarterfinal match with Amelie Mauresmo because of some type of injury.
Maria Sharapova also withdrew from the Rogers Cup tourament because of a pectoral strain. Mary Pierce, who recently won the Acura Classic in San Diego, withdrew from Toronto and from the JPMorgan Chase tournament in Los Angeles because of a strained right quadriceps. Anastasia Myskina and Li Na both have ankle injuries, and Ana Ivanovic has a pectoral strain, and had to retire during the third round of the Rogers Cup. Li Na had to retire also; Myskina just kept on playing, though obviously in great pain; it is possible she will not be able to play in the quarterfinals. Elena Bovina, last year's Pilot Pen champion, will not be defending her title in New Haven next week because of a shoulder injury.
Kim Clijsters, who is tearing up the hardcourts this year, was out almost all of last year with a wrist injury, and there have been numerous other injuries among WTA players. There are two factors that are usually considered to be the cause of so many injuries: the lack of time off for players, and the use of metal racquets. Though some of us long for the days of wooden racquets, they are not going to return, so there needs to be an assessment of the tour schedule. Of course, players choose which tournaments they wish to compete in, but if they do not compete in several, they cannot stay ahead point-wise.
It isn't looking too good for the U.S. Open, which is a real shame.
Update at 7:20 p.m. CST: Nadia Petrova just retired in the third round of her Rogers Cup quarterfinal match with Amelie Mauresmo because of some type of injury.
posted by Diane at 6:31 PM
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