“Two Germans can make it into the Top Ten”

Stuttgart. In Markus Günthardt’s opinion, Sabine Lisicki and Andrea Petkovic are two of the winners of the 2009 tennis year. “They’ve been playing some very good tennis and are on the right track,” said the tournament director of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix when we interviewed him recently. As Julia Görges has also come on in leaps and bounds this season, he is very positive about the developments made within the women’s game in Germany: “I really do feel one or two German players can make it into the Top Ten in the next few years.”

Mr Günthardt, you went to the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha. What were your impressions and just how good is women’s tennis at the end of 2009?

“The standard of the matches was very high. I’m thinking first and foremost of Venus Williams, of her matches against Elena Dementieva and her sister, Serena. In the final, both Venus and Serena seemed a little jaded but they had already faced each other in the group matches. They played some sensational tennis. On the whole, I think there’s currently a greater depth in quality at the top. The days when only one or two players dominated the game are thankfully now over.”

Who do you think is the year’s most improved player?

“As far as the rankings are concerned, then it has to be Caroline Wozniacki. She’s played her way into the Top Ten on the strength of her consistent top class performances, she’s now even the world No 4. I hope she’ll be just as good next year too. Both her looks and her game make her an asset to the women’s game. What’s also positive is that, as she’s a Dane, a western European has again broken into the top level. Victoria Azarenka is also a player one can expect a lot of. She has a good game and the necessary resiliance.”

Can these players take over at the top of the world rankings in 2010?

“I think they’ve got a good chance but it’s not going to be easy. There’s also a Kim Clijsters, who has made a brilliant comeback this year. The question will be whether she can continue in the same vein. Additionally, it’s going to be very interesting to see just what Justine Henin does on her return. Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic are two other talented players that belong in the Top Ten. I can’t say which of them will be successful at the end of the day but one thing is for certain, we can all look forward to an enthralling season.”

How good are the German players?

“Here again there’s greater strength in depth. I saw Andrea Petkovic and Julia Görges in Istanbul and they played some very good tennis. Above all, Andrea’s career is taking a course that is proving to be very successful. She can go further, I can’t say how far but she’s serious in everything she does, plays well and is physically very fit. Why shouldn’t she force her way into the Top Ten? Whether it’s something she can do next year, or the one after? Only time will tell.”

And Sabine Lisicki?

“I last saw her in Wimbledon where she made an excellent impression. Afterwards she had a few injury problems but then come Luxemburg and she was back in a final. It’s why I think she’ll continue her progress up the rankings. Perhaps it won’t be quite as quick as we hoped for at the start of the year. But it doesn’t have to be a disadvantage. I really do think two German players will be of Top Ten standard within the next few years.”

That will please the spectators at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. How are the preparations for the 2010 tournament going?

“We’re very lucky in that we don’t have to alter much. We want to, if it’s possible, to make the area for the general public in the Schleyer Halle more attractive for our spectators by making some architectural changes. We’re also thinking of moving the official opening ceremony from Sunday to Monday to cater for the Fed Cup. We’ve obviously got loads of good ideas and we’re now searching for the right partners to put them into practice.”

And the players?

“We again reckon on having six to eight Top 10 players. And we’re confident that one of those players will be Serena Williams.”

17/11/2009