WTA’s Women’s Tennis of February

Pleasantly, the Global Tennis season has begun after the opener in Australia. Events have moved to the south of North America, Eastern Europe and the Gulf States. In the Women's, Caroline Wozniacki became World No.1 after winning the Australian Open over Simona Halep. Her lead at the top was slender and vulnerable, and last week she lost her No.1 position when she lost in the Qatar Open to Halep. There is no outright player domination at present. Talking of new names, there are many and they are very well armed.

Doha, Qatar

In February, Czech Republic’s Kvitova registered a title gain after a bad year in 2017. A year ago, she survived a knife attack by a burglar in her home which seriously injured her playing hand. In the richest Gulf event in Doha, she beat Wozniacki in the semifinals and Spain’s Muguruza in the finals. Halep had to give a walkover with injuries. The US$ 3 million plus event was richer than that of Dubai by a million. Halep will be nursing herself again which makes holding on to her No.1 position is doubtful.

Dubai

Dubai was the other Gulf venue for Women. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina beat Russia’s Daria Kasatkina in the finals. The game was an exhibition of all court Tennis. Svitolina, currently ranked No.4 in the world, is a potential No.1 this year. The semifinalists were Mugurusa and Germany’s Angelique Kerger. Ukraine has, in recent times, become very strong in players with all- court ability. Svitolina is another Ukrainian.

These events also showed strong presence of Chinese and eastern European players. The other events that were concurrent were Budapest in Hungary, Acapulco in Mexico and Indian Wells in USA. They did not carry significant prize money, and were meant for players in the third hundred of the world rankings.

Injury trends

Without doubt it must be a worry for the professional bodies. When events get weak without players, organisers suffer in popularity and eventually, professional bodies' images are at stake. From the players point, they cannot ignore injuries which can cut their careers short. So, it is a Catch-22 for the players, professional bodies, the event organisers and the venues which rely on tourism. What we see is the compromise. That is not the only worry for Tennis and sports today.

Men’s injury

In Men’s Federer is holding fort and it looks to remain so into the French Open, the next Grand Slam in May. Big names such as Murray, Nadal, Wawrinka and Djokovic are on the injury list. Although not openly, the controlling bodies are looking for answers to some of the existing trends. This is definitely hurting the Men’s circuit. Although unfound, one segment is getting suspicious of the player development methods.

Doping- winter wind of sports?

In reality, the winter wind of the northern hemisphere is still cold, especially this this year, even a stronger cold spell has been hanging over the sports arenas. It is everywhere and was felt in the winter Olympics in Korea. Cheating or better said, doping scandal.

Amazing is the depth it has taken in the last 20 years. With so much of testing, 2 Athletes boldly went to Korea and were spotted. How many escaped? Could it be with the existence of coverup drugs that Athletes are getting bolder in their use of banned substances. So much so, a nation was not allowed to participate at the closing ceremony in Korea.

What is sports today?

Few factors have contributed most to cheating in Sports. Seeking teenage success, professionalism and National pride. Sport is known to be a discipline of youth for character building. Not a yardstick to measure talent, effectiveness of national ideology, to measure player’s worth in gold or, to have post-victory political ‘tamashas’. In the last few decades, these have contributed to cheating.

Sometime ago, a good Indian player, Myur Vasant, now having a Tennis school in Bombay India, said that parents send their children to be looked after in the after- school hours. Sports was considered the best way to occupy that free time. It induces skills and contributes to good health. It has taken the shape of ‘Safe-Houses’ now. It is difficult to conclude that young players are safe from protein supplement and performance enhancers, these are also harmful.

WADA - Controlling body

In the early '90s, a few kids, claiming to be in their teens, came to Belgium from American countries, and participated in Under (U)-18 events. Generally, U-18 kids look like players on the threshhold of adulthood. These late teen kids looked as old as adults, in build. These early signs were not taken seriously, and there was nothing like the testing of today.

WADA is the doping controlling body of the world. The number of Athletes worldwide, that need to be tasted by them, overwhelming. Even if the tests are done, none of the young sportsmen know what are the right things to do. Indulging in education of nations to educate schools, players and the parents is one way, and it would take decades to be effective. We are still not open here, that is an issue.

-George Paldano, Former int. player; Accredited Coach of German Federation; National coach Sri Lanka & Brunei, Davis-Cup, Federation Cup captain/coach-- contact 94 77 544 8880 geodano2015@ gmail.com -