Players Get Catty Over Balls as WTA Championships Begin

Posted on November 10, 2004

Three former/current No. 1s kick off play on day one Wednesday at the WTA Championships in L.A., with world No. 2 Amelie Mauresmo vs. Russian Vera "The Crying Game" Zvonareva, Serena Williams vs. French Open winner Anastasia Myskina, and world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport vs. 2004 French and US Open runner-up Elena Dementieva.

In the balance for Davenport and Mauresmo is the coveted year-end No. 1 ranking.

"I personally would loved to have a Grand Slam title (this year) and be competing for No. 1," Davenport said. "It's a little bit different of a feeling (without winning a slam)."

Mauresmo, No. 1 for five weeks earlier this year, can echo the American's slam-less woes but is still putting pressure on herself to finish the year on top -- which means plug in the choke-o-meter.

"I have a great opportunity even though Lindsay is still ahead," said Mauresmo, not known for maintaining her mental state in big matches. "She's been playing some great tennis the last six months, so she's not going to let it go. It's a good competition."

Injury question marks remain this week in L.A., foremost the shoulder of poster-child Maria "Cell Phone Mannequin" Sharapova, and Serena Williams' surgically-repaired knee.

This week the WTA is using the rock-like Tretorn balls, which Sharapova says are to blame for her injury.

"I do feel they're a bit heavy on my arm," said Sharapova of the ball used my many indoor events. The Russian is also not shy about throwing around her new-found clout. "It's something that the Tour and (WTA CEO) Larry Scott have to look into. I'm sure the tour doesn't want anybody injured. It's very important to help those players that are injured."

The pronouncement sent the WTA in to spin mode, with communication spokesman Darrell Fry saying "There's no correlation at all between player injuries and Tretorn balls. The health of our players is first and foremost in our minds. That's why we conducted blind tests with dozens of players last year to find the best ball, which turned out to be Tretorn...If there are complaints in the future, we'll look into them."

Mauresmo countered that Sharapova needs to suck it up and play ball.

"They are not much different to what we played with before," Mauresmo said of the balls. "Maria complained in Philly when she pulled out of our match but I didn't notice a difference. I don't feel they are heavier."

Let the games begin.

In the States, ESPN2 will show Wednesday coverage of the WTA Championships at 11 p.m., and Thursday at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.

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