I do think Joe alluded to this, but Serena DID make it to the finals in all four of those tournaments. So, if it's called a decline because there was one player better than her in each of those tournaments, then fine. It's just not that much of a decline. I think, rather than a decline, it's a sign that there are some really good women tennis players out there. The days when Serena could just overpower every other player don't exist anymore. Serena set the bar, and there are some players who have gotten over that bar. Without Serena, I don't think you'd see this level of play. But for those that imagine themselves as majors champions, they know what they have to do. They have to be stronger, faster, hit the ball harder than Serena. So, some are now doing that. That's really it. If not for that, Serena wins all four of those majors.
I think 5 sets is too much tennis, so I'm glad the women play only 3. The weird thing is that there are lots of men's tournaments that only play 3 sets. So I think if there's a leveling, it should be that the men play 3. Admittedly I'm a casual fan. But 3-5 hour matches are too much for me.
Same reason the men's national soccer team (didn't qualify for the 2018 after losing to the famous soccer power, Trinidad and Tobago) players get paid more that the women's national soccer team (World Champions) players.
Antiquated thinking aka misogyny (someone *must* take care of those poor, weak women).
I do think Joe alluded to this, but Serena DID make it to the finals in all four of those tournaments. So, if it's called a decline because there was one player better than her in each of those tournaments, then fine. It's just not that much of a decline. I think, rather than a decline, it's a sign that there are some really good women tennis players out there. The days when Serena could just overpower every other player don't exist anymore. Serena set the bar, and there are some players who have gotten over that bar. Without Serena, I don't think you'd see this level of play. But for those that imagine themselves as majors champions, they know what they have to do. They have to be stronger, faster, hit the ball harder than Serena. So, some are now doing that. That's really it. If not for that, Serena wins all four of those majors.
Totally off topic, but in this day and age, why are the women still only playing best-of-three sets instead of five?
I think 5 sets is too much tennis, so I'm glad the women play only 3. The weird thing is that there are lots of men's tournaments that only play 3 sets. So I think if there's a leveling, it should be that the men play 3. Admittedly I'm a casual fan. But 3-5 hour matches are too much for me.
Same reason the men's national soccer team (didn't qualify for the 2018 after losing to the famous soccer power, Trinidad and Tobago) players get paid more that the women's national soccer team (World Champions) players.
Antiquated thinking aka misogyny (someone *must* take care of those poor, weak women).
Good lord. The people making the decision are the people who run the WTA, and they are women. Good luck with the conspiracy theories though.
Because women don't have the stamina the men do to compete for 5 sets.
I hope this is sarcasm.
This is indeed the reason why women have played best of three sets for ever. Can truth be sarcasm?
Except it’s not true. 🙄Women run marathons, ultra marathons, etc. They could handle 5 sets of tennis.
Apparently the women who run the WTA beg to differ.
We don't want every tournament to turn into a retirement party. Even in this day and age!