SUMMARY
- Tennis experts discussed top female players without a Grand Slam win.
- Five players were discussed by a panel of experts to give their expert opinion.
During a recent Tennis Channel show at the Indian Wells tournament, the experts, including Steve Weissman (host), Martina Navratilova, and Prakash Amritraj, delved into the topic of the best women singles player yet to secure a Grand Slam victory. Among those nominated for popular choice were Ons Jabeur, Karolina Pliskova, Maria Sakkari, Karolina Muchova, and Jessica Pegula.
This discussion became particularly relevant in the current era of women’s tennis, marked by the emergence of new Grand Slam singles champions like Emma Raducanu, Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff, viz. the dominance of a select few players in the past, such as the Williams sisters.
Martina Navratilova, with her illustrious career boasting 18 Grand Slam singles titles, voiced her opinion. She firmly supported Karolina Pliskova as the standout choice, citing Pliskova’s past consistency and two appearances in Grand Slam finals. Navratilova said, “There’s no doubt about it for me, Karolina Pliskova…been number one, that means she was consistent over a long period…and two Grand Slams finals as well.”
Best women’s player yet to win a major?
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— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 13, 2024
Discussing the merits of Ons Jabeur, Prakash Amritraj highlighted the Tunisian’s impressive record of three Grand Slam finals, suggesting she could claim the title, particularly in two Wimbledon finals where she was considered a favorite. Navratilova expressed empathy for Jabeur’s struggles, acknowledging the importance of maintaining peak physical condition and improving agility on the court.
The experts’ insight extended to other contenders, such as Karolina Muchova and Jessica Pegula. While acknowledging Muchova’s dynamic game, Amritraj highlighted the need for consistency in clutch moments, reflecting on her occasional vulnerability under pressure. Regarding Jessica Pegula, Navratilova praised her well-rounded skill set but noted the absence of a strong weapon in her game.
Expanding the conversation beyond these five contenders, the experts explored additional names like Madison Keys, Caroline Garcia, and Elina Svitolina. This discussion revealed the depth of talent in women’s tennis today signalling the emergence of new Grand Slam champions in years to come.
Why did Martina Navratilova choose Karolina Pliskova as the most deserving candidate?
Martina Navratilova’s choice of Karolina Pliskova as the standout candidate in the debate on the best female singles player yet to clinch a Grand Slam title requires a closer examination. Pliskova finds herself among the elite few who have held the number-one ranking without securing a single Major.
Pliskova ascended to the number-one ranking in July 2017, demonstrating her exceptional talent on the court. Despite narrowly missing out on the US Open title in 2016, and losing to Angelique Kerber in the finals, Pliskova showcased remarkable consistency from 2016 to 2021.
Throughout this period, she remained in the top 10 rankings, claiming 12 titles, including two WTA 1000 events. Notably, she reached the Wimbledon final losing to Ashleigh Barty in three close sets. She has also led the Czech Republic to two Fed Cup triumphs. Additionally, her dominance on serve, leading the tour in aces for four out of six years, showcased her serve prowess, a skill that has been rare in women’s game.
And then there were two.
Who wins?#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/bJS5JQm34q
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2021
Pliskova had two of the biggest weapons required to win Grand Slams, a fierce serve, and a booming forehand. In the history of the game, players who have capitalized on these undeniable strengths have often won a Grand Slam. However, for Pliskova, it didn’t translate into that elusive Major title.
