| One week after the conclusion of this year's last | | | | Once the former number one the Belgian Justin Henin |
| grand slam in the 2008 WTA tour and with very few | | | | announced her sudden retirement, a few months ago, |
| tournaments remaining, we find the current top five | | | | the WTA rankings began to move up and down from |
| shared by two Russians, two Serbians and one | | | | that point forward. Players such; Maria Sharapova, |
| American player. | | | | Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic and now Serena |
| Both Russian players Elena Dementieva and Dinara | | | | Williams have occupied this position but for the |
| Safina who are in the fourth and fifth position | | | | shortest periods compare to the many weeks Justin |
| respectively and whose career breakthrough year has | | | | retained her leadership. There is no doubt, this could be |
| been the present tour have shown incredible | | | | a healthy way to allow the new growing talent to |
| determination beating well-known opponents on all | | | | pursuit the top positions but we have not yet seemed |
| surfaces. Dementieva, who is in her mid twenties | | | | which of these ladies could become the best player to |
| reached this year a career high raking at the number | | | | remember. |
| four position and holds a singles record of 469-232 | | | | Currently, in the top five ranking there are still many |
| and she is also a gold medallist holder. On the other | | | | uncertainties regarding injuries, program issues with |
| hand, there is Dinara Safina who is only twenty-two | | | | some of the tournaments remaining, and even with the |
| years and already has eight single WTA titles and four | | | | players not being constant at their play. Regardless of |
| ITF wins to her name. Safina's best performances | | | | what happens next in the tour we would really enjoy |
| have been at this year's French Open final where she | | | | seeing a new era where one of the female tennis |
| played Ana Ivanovic and at the recent US Open semi | | | | players reacts and steps up as the new queen. Could |
| final. | | | | this really happen? Perhaps not yet, as if we look back |
| Then we move to the top three standing where there | | | | we see four different ladies winning this year' Slams; |
| are the best two female Serbian players Ivanovic, who | | | | Sharapova took the Australian Open, Ivanovic |
| has already been in the number one position and her | | | | crowned herself in Paris, then Venus Williams retained |
| partner, Jankovic who has also had a spectacular year | | | | her title at Wimbledon and Serena returned to the |
| as her injuries stop troubling her. She has been able to | | | | podium in New York City. |
| improve her game while surpassing some of the best | | | | The 2008 WTA tour will end within a couple of |
| players in the tour. Currently, there is a point difference | | | | months therefore it is likely the rankings will not change |
| of approximately 400 (plus) between the number two | | | | much in the coming weeks, but one thing is certain and |
| and the number three and even a shorter gap | | | | that is we hope for one of them to establish herself as |
| between Jankovic and the number one leading lady, | | | | other women have done it in the past...as we, the |
| Serena Williams, who is up by not more than 125 | | | | tennis fans, will like to see a new tennis legend rise to |
| points. | | | | the top. |