The “Real” No.1s

The other side of the net from Slamless No.1s are the “real” No.1s who couldn’t extend their dominance beyond the majors. When Justine Henin handed over to Maria Sharapova, the Russian was already struggling with an injured shoulder that would require surgery. Kim Clijsters wouldn’t compromise her family-friendly schedule at the end of 2010 for the trifle of the No.1 ranking. But it’s Serena Williams who personifies the disconnect between No.1 ranking and de facto No.1. The greatest player of her generation is yet to rule for an entire year as No.1.

Serena Williams Serena Williams

In 2012, the powerhouse Californian pulled off her best comeback yet ‒ from multiple foot surgeries, a haematoma and life-threatening blood clots in the lungs, not to mention a drop to almost 200 in the rankings ‒ to once again stamp herself the true No.1. The WTA’s Player of the Year. The greatest of all-time, according to current No.1 Victoria Azarenka. But No.3 on the computer.

For Williams is about winning majors rather than chasing ranking points. “Gosh, I want to pick up [an extra] tournament because I did so awful here,” Serena lamented after her shock loss to Ekaterina Makarova at Melbourne Park last January. “But there’s no tournaments.” Acapulco was coming up, and not far from her LA home. “Yeah? I’m not that desperate,” quipped Her Sereneness.

Who can argue with the winner of 15 Grand Slams?