MMB

Surely not.

Although it improves the chances of the others to reach the final. Henin and Venus could meet in the semi final or something like that.

But in the first place let's hope KIm will make it!

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Does anyone know when Serena Williams last played a competitive match?

DrTagnian

Emma - Don't know exactly when her last match was, but it sure has been a while.

Source: www.wtatour.com

July - Withdrew from Stanford due to knee pain; withdrew from San Diego due to a quadriceps strain in left knee
August - Withdrew from Los Angeles, Canadian Open and US Open (defending champion) due to a left knee quadriceps strain that required surgery (August 1) to repair a partial tear; will be out six to eight weeks; ended 57-week reign as world No. 1 when Clijsters took the position (with a 44-point lead) on August 11 following Los Angeles title
September-November - Withdrew from Shanghai, Zurich, Linz, Philadelphia and the season-ending championships to recover and rehabilitate following left knee surgery.

So I guess around June, July 2003.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Thanks Gert-Jan, I appreciate it!

MMB

Hasn't she been playing a small tournament just days ago?

DrTagnian

As far as I know, she hasn't. But hey, I can make a mistake. Which tournament would that be then?

Venus Williams, who also hasn't played since 6 months, is participating at the Australian Open. And she's seed #3.

Men's Champions Race

1. Escude. 50
2. Hrbaty. 35
=. Ljubicic. 35
=. Moya. 35
5. Llorda. 25
6. Srichaphan. 24
7. Calleri. 22
=. Henman. 22
9. Schalken. 15
=. Dent. 15
=. Nieminen. 15
=. Robredo. 15

MMB

No idea ... I'll probably be wrong.


Serena out.
Clijsters doubtful.
Capriati doubtful.
Venus only coming back from injury.

Henin's chances rise with the day.

DrTagnian

At the end of last season Henin was also a little injuried, wasn't she? Something with her foot? I assume she's recovered?

MMB

Yes, she's 100% again.


Good news: Clijsters slowly restarted training again. She says her ankle's feeling good.


Yesterday Kim won the national Sport Personalty award of 2003. It was a nice reward for an amazing year, where she became the first ever Belgian tennis player who reached the #1 spot. Henin was closely second in the voting. The award results are determined by the biggest national news papers and the most famous national sport reporters and commentators.

MMB

Henin won her first tournament of the season, she's ready for the Open.

Clijsters confirmed she's ready for the Open. Now let's hope her ankle can hold.

Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Mary Pierce, Jelena Dokic and Monica Seles already confirmed they would not be participating.

Davenport still has to confirm today, as she's dealing with a shoulder injury.

That leaves us with two main favorites: Henin and Venus. Both are the closest to 100%. Although Henin suffered a minor ankle injury in her tournament victory the past week and Venus is clearly still dealing with a lack of condition, after being out with a muscle injury for several months last year.