She may not be ending 2012 at the top of the world rankings, but there can be no doubt as to who has been the best woman tennis player in the world this year: Serena Williams has been utterly dominant.
Williams' selectivity of competitive outings has undoubtedly contributed to her longevity, while doing little to blunt her match sharpness. She is in that select group of sportspeople who seem able to step up their performance when it is needed, winning, as she has, her last 13 matches against top-four ranked players.
Williams win-loss record of 59-4 in 2012 demonstrates her superiority over her peers, which is all the more impressive when you consider she had to come back from a career-threatening injury last year. Her resurgence, which included completion of a career golden grand slam by winning Olympic gold, has been a much- needed shot in the arm for women's tennis. The sport had, for the past couple of seasons, risked losing the interest of the public, with few genuine superstars and little variety in style among the top players.
The sport was moving towards being completely dominated by big hitters, a group of which Williams admittedly is a member. Another regrettable trait which was overshadowing the standard of play was the deafening shrieking that comes with every strike of the ball. That is incredibly off-putting for spectators.
This year, however, the emergence of players such as Agnieszka Radwanska and Sara Errani has brought a new dimension to the game. Neither is a powerhouse, unlike many of the eastern Europeans who currently dominate the rankings, and their ability to be creative and imaginative in their quest to find ways to win matches has been enthralling.
The relative demise of the former world No.1s Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic, now outside the top 10 and top 20 respectively, illustrates a welcome move away from success coming to players who resemble automatons. This diversion from consistency prevailing over all else is infinitely preferable to the one-dimensional tedium with which the game was threatened.
From a British perspective, 2012 has been hugely successful. Laura Robson and Heather Watson have both converted their promise on the junior circuit into wins against the big girls. Robson followed the Olympic silver medal she won in mixed doubles partnering Andy Murray with a remarkable run to the fourth round of the US Open, beating the quadruple grand slam winner Kim Clijsters and the 2011 French Open champion, Li Na, before falling to Sam Stosur.
Robson then reached the final of the Guangzhou Open, becoming the first British woman since 1990 to make it to a WTA Tour singles final. Heather Watson went one better, claiming the Japan Open title last month, which made her first British woman for 24 years to win on the WTA Tour. That victory ensured that she will finish 2012 in the top 50 in the world.
Next season presents an intriguing prospect: the British girls battling for supremacy. Robson is a more prolific shot-maker, perhaps struggling with her movement and court coverage. Watson displays impressive athletic ability and ball-retrieving skills while lacking any killer weapons. Certainly, the competition between the two will bring out the best in both of them.
It look as if 2013 will be an interesting and entertaining season. Will Williams be able to continue her dominance? Will more players in the Radwanska/ Errani mould emerge to add to the variety of styles in the game? And will the British girls continue their progress?
Whatever happens next year, it is safe to say 2012 belongs to Serena.
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