WTA hotties wishes to all our readers and women's tennis fans a Happy New Year 2010.
With Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin back to the Tour, Serena and Venus Williams playing their best at the Grand Slams, Sharapova, Ivanovic and Jankovic trying to get back to the top, the Russian girls (Safina, Dementieva, Kuznetsova and Zvonareva) collecting titles, and up-and-coming youngsters like Wozniacki and Azarenka, it looks that 2010 can be a really exciting year for women's tennis.
For us we hope to keep on growing and reaching new readers as we did in 2009. In 2009 we attracted more than 70,000 visitors, with an increase of 40% over 2008. Number of page views increased a 58% compared to 2008, with almost 125,000 page-views. Number of pages viewed per visit and average time per visit also increased. Lately we opened profiles on social networks Facebook and Twitter and we hope that this will be helpful in order to keep up to date with latest WTAhotties news and to attract new readers.
12/31/2009
12/29/2009
Hot shot: Caroline Wozniacki stunning in a new photoshoot
Danish sensation Caroline Wozniacki looks really gorgeous in a new photoshoot for her sponsor Europaeiske Rejseforsikring A/S, a Danish insurance company. Here you can see a preview of the stunning photos, please visit Caroline's official website to watch the complete gallery.
Just to remind you, Caroline got 1st place at the WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100 list.
(Photos via Caroline Wozniacki's Official website)
Just to remind you, Caroline got 1st place at the WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100 list.
(Photos via Caroline Wozniacki's Official website)
12/25/2009
Merry Christmas!!
From WTAhotties we want to wish all our readers and tennis fans Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
And what a best way than through this ATP & WTA greeting video. Enjoy!
And what a best way than through this ATP & WTA greeting video. Enjoy!
12/24/2009
WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100: #1 Caroline Wozniacki
1- Caroline Wozniacki (#4, DEN)
With Sharapova struggling with a shoulder injury and Ivanovic losing matches and falling down in the rankings, media was looking for another pretty young player. And then came Wozniacki. The 19 y.o. Danish has climbed up to #4 in the WTA rank thanks to her solid game. She won 3 WTA titles and reached 8 finals, including 1st Grand Slam final at the US Open, recording the higher number of matches won for the season (67). There are sexier players on Tour, but Caroline has other virtues that have captivated us. She has that look of girl-next-door that we would fall in love with. She's fresh, natural, approachable, nice and funny. We have even seen her dancing to Beyonce's Single Ladies in the stands or laughing about herself being called 'pusher'. For us she has been the hottest player of 2009.
With Sharapova struggling with a shoulder injury and Ivanovic losing matches and falling down in the rankings, media was looking for another pretty young player. And then came Wozniacki. The 19 y.o. Danish has climbed up to #4 in the WTA rank thanks to her solid game. She won 3 WTA titles and reached 8 finals, including 1st Grand Slam final at the US Open, recording the higher number of matches won for the season (67). There are sexier players on Tour, but Caroline has other virtues that have captivated us. She has that look of girl-next-door that we would fall in love with. She's fresh, natural, approachable, nice and funny. We have even seen her dancing to Beyonce's Single Ladies in the stands or laughing about herself being called 'pusher'. For us she has been the hottest player of 2009.
WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100: #2 Maria Sharapova
2- Maria Sharapova (#14, RUS)
After a nine-month injury break and dipping out of Top-100, Sharapova faced a difficult year having to recover her shoulder, her service motion and her ranking. And although she hasn't got back to her best yet, she got back into Top-20 with some good performances including Beijing title, runner-up place in Toronto and quarter-finalist place in Roland Garros. She still is the most popular player and draws the attention everywhere she goes.
After a nine-month injury break and dipping out of Top-100, Sharapova faced a difficult year having to recover her shoulder, her service motion and her ranking. And although she hasn't got back to her best yet, she got back into Top-20 with some good performances including Beijing title, runner-up place in Toronto and quarter-finalist place in Roland Garros. She still is the most popular player and draws the attention everywhere she goes.
WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100: #3 Ana Ivanovic
3- Ana Ivanovic (#21, SRB)
The beautiful Serbian had a very poor season, dropping off Top-20 for the first time in the last 5 years, and this is the reason she misses our #1. This year, she got more coverage for her relationships with ATP player Fernando Verdasco and golfer Adam Scott than for her tennis results. Nevertheless, she still is one of the most popular players for fans and sponsors and looks really pretty on photoshoots.
The beautiful Serbian had a very poor season, dropping off Top-20 for the first time in the last 5 years, and this is the reason she misses our #1. This year, she got more coverage for her relationships with ATP player Fernando Verdasco and golfer Adam Scott than for her tennis results. Nevertheless, she still is one of the most popular players for fans and sponsors and looks really pretty on photoshoots.
WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100: #4 Elena Dementieva
4- Elena Dementieva (#5, RUS)
6th Top-10 finish in the last 7 years and 10th consecutive Top-20 finish for the Russian. Dementieva had a great start of season with a 15-match victory streak including titles at Auckland and Sydney (defeating Serena and Safina on her way) and semifinalist place at the Australian Open. Highlights of her season also include Wimbledon semifinalis (defeated by Serena in probably the best match of 2009) and Toronto title. She's one of the most beautiful players although she doesn't exploit her looks much. If she did she would be more popular, but she may lose her charm.
6th Top-10 finish in the last 7 years and 10th consecutive Top-20 finish for the Russian. Dementieva had a great start of season with a 15-match victory streak including titles at Auckland and Sydney (defeating Serena and Safina on her way) and semifinalist place at the Australian Open. Highlights of her season also include Wimbledon semifinalis (defeated by Serena in probably the best match of 2009) and Toronto title. She's one of the most beautiful players although she doesn't exploit her looks much. If she did she would be more popular, but she may lose her charm.
WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100: #5 Flavia Pennetta
5- Flavia Pennetta (#12, ITA)
The Italian enjoyed an awesome season: had a 15-match win streak during the summer winning 2 WTA titles, became the first Italian woman ever to be ranked in Top-10, reached the quarter-finals at the US Open and led the Italian team to the Fed Cup title. Her popularity is increasing and she even did some modeling. In a hot interview for an Italian TV show she said to have had sex on hard and grass courts. I volunteer to complete her 'Grand Slam' on clay.
The Italian enjoyed an awesome season: had a 15-match win streak during the summer winning 2 WTA titles, became the first Italian woman ever to be ranked in Top-10, reached the quarter-finals at the US Open and led the Italian team to the Fed Cup title. Her popularity is increasing and she even did some modeling. In a hot interview for an Italian TV show she said to have had sex on hard and grass courts. I volunteer to complete her 'Grand Slam' on clay.
12/23/2009
WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100: #10 - #6
10- Dominika Cibulkova (#28, SVK)
After reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros and a career-high ranking at #12, injuries cut the progression of the 20 y.o. Slovak. She was featured on men's magazine FHM along with Anna Chakvetadze, Victoria Azarenka and Alona Bondarenko.
9- Sorana Cirstea (#45, ROM)
19 y.o. Romanian had an irregular season, highlighted by quarter-finalist place at Roland Garros, defeating Wozniacki and Jankovic on her way. Although she wasn't able to level her 2008 breakthrough season, she managed to stay in Top-50. Nevertheless, her popularity is increasing and some people see her as the new Ivanovic, as there is a slight resemblance between them.
8- Serena Williams (#1, USA)
Either loved or hated, Serena Williams does not leave anybody indifferent. If she is hot or not is a matter of taste, but it can't be denied that she has been the strongest player of 2009 season, with 2 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, besides the Sony Ericsson Championships title. Furthermore, she was the tennis player selected for the Body issue of ESPN featuring naked athletes. Of the six athletes that were featured on the cover, the issue with Williams on the cover sold the best.
7- Victoria Azarenka (#7, BLR)
20 y.o. Victoria Azarenka had a fantastic start of the season with a 24-2 record and titles at Brisbane, Memphis and Miami (aka the 5th Grand Slam), defeating Serena Williams in the final. Quarter-finalist places at Roland Garros and Wimbledon helped her to secure a place among the Top-8 players of the season.
6- Maria Kirilenko (#62, RUS)
After finishing inside or near the Top-30 for the last few years, the gorgeous Russian had a really poor season and dropped out of Top-50. Nevertheless she still is one of the beauties of the WTA Tour and we were able to enjoy her bikini photoshoot for the Swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated.
After reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros and a career-high ranking at #12, injuries cut the progression of the 20 y.o. Slovak. She was featured on men's magazine FHM along with Anna Chakvetadze, Victoria Azarenka and Alona Bondarenko.
9- Sorana Cirstea (#45, ROM)
19 y.o. Romanian had an irregular season, highlighted by quarter-finalist place at Roland Garros, defeating Wozniacki and Jankovic on her way. Although she wasn't able to level her 2008 breakthrough season, she managed to stay in Top-50. Nevertheless, her popularity is increasing and some people see her as the new Ivanovic, as there is a slight resemblance between them.
8- Serena Williams (#1, USA)
Either loved or hated, Serena Williams does not leave anybody indifferent. If she is hot or not is a matter of taste, but it can't be denied that she has been the strongest player of 2009 season, with 2 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, besides the Sony Ericsson Championships title. Furthermore, she was the tennis player selected for the Body issue of ESPN featuring naked athletes. Of the six athletes that were featured on the cover, the issue with Williams on the cover sold the best.
7- Victoria Azarenka (#7, BLR)
20 y.o. Victoria Azarenka had a fantastic start of the season with a 24-2 record and titles at Brisbane, Memphis and Miami (aka the 5th Grand Slam), defeating Serena Williams in the final. Quarter-finalist places at Roland Garros and Wimbledon helped her to secure a place among the Top-8 players of the season.
6- Maria Kirilenko (#62, RUS)
After finishing inside or near the Top-30 for the last few years, the gorgeous Russian had a really poor season and dropped out of Top-50. Nevertheless she still is one of the beauties of the WTA Tour and we were able to enjoy her bikini photoshoot for the Swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated.
WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100: #15- #11
15- Alona Bondarenko (#32, UKR)
The Ukranian was named once to be the next Kournikova, although she's far from being as hot as the Russian. Now they share clothing sponsor (K-Swiss). She had an irregular season and was overcome by her younger sister Kateryna, although she managed to finish the season in the Top-40 for the 4th time in a row.
14- Venus Williams (#6, USA)
29 y.o. Venus Williams still has one of the most athletic bodies on the WTA Tour. She couldn't win her 6th Wimbledon title, but she still managed to keep her place in Top-10 and won 3 dobules Grand Slam titles with sister Serena.
13- Tatiana Golovin (unranked, FRA)
The French has been already out of the Tour for almost two years due to a chronic back injury and it is unlikely that she can compete again at a professional level. Nevertheless, she took part in the swimsuit photoshoot for Sports Illustrated and any player that agrees to take off her bikini top deserves a good place in our list.
12- Gisela Dulko (#36, ARG)
Every year at Wimbledon Britsh media is eager to find a new hot tennis star, and this year they discovered Dulko. Her 2nd round match against Sharapova, which she won, was nicknamed "Battle of the babes" and given full coverage. The Argentinian completed a very solid season and finished in the Top-40 for the 4th time in the last 6 years.
11- Daniela Hantuchova (#24, SVK)
The Slovak is a classic in hot tennis players compilations, although many fans think that she is too thin, and she was one of the players selected for this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Concerning her season, she finished in the Top-30 despite not having very remarkable results.
The Ukranian was named once to be the next Kournikova, although she's far from being as hot as the Russian. Now they share clothing sponsor (K-Swiss). She had an irregular season and was overcome by her younger sister Kateryna, although she managed to finish the season in the Top-40 for the 4th time in a row.
14- Venus Williams (#6, USA)
29 y.o. Venus Williams still has one of the most athletic bodies on the WTA Tour. She couldn't win her 6th Wimbledon title, but she still managed to keep her place in Top-10 and won 3 dobules Grand Slam titles with sister Serena.
13- Tatiana Golovin (unranked, FRA)
The French has been already out of the Tour for almost two years due to a chronic back injury and it is unlikely that she can compete again at a professional level. Nevertheless, she took part in the swimsuit photoshoot for Sports Illustrated and any player that agrees to take off her bikini top deserves a good place in our list.
12- Gisela Dulko (#36, ARG)
Every year at Wimbledon Britsh media is eager to find a new hot tennis star, and this year they discovered Dulko. Her 2nd round match against Sharapova, which she won, was nicknamed "Battle of the babes" and given full coverage. The Argentinian completed a very solid season and finished in the Top-40 for the 4th time in the last 6 years.
11- Daniela Hantuchova (#24, SVK)
The Slovak is a classic in hot tennis players compilations, although many fans think that she is too thin, and she was one of the players selected for this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Concerning her season, she finished in the Top-30 despite not having very remarkable results.
12/22/2009
WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100: #20 - #16
20- Sania Mirza (#57, IND)
Transition season for the Indian, who is climbing up in the ranking after a 2008 season burdened with a wrist injury. She became the first Indian woman to ever win a Grand Slam title after winning the mixed doubles title in the Australian Open. She also got engaged this year.
19- Iveta Benesova (#38, CZE)
The hot Czech enjoyed one of her best seasons, reaching her best ranking ever at #25 in April. Nevertheless, she still lacks more regularity, as she mixes good performances with very poor ones.
18- Vera Zvonareva (#9, RUS)
2nd Top-10 finish in a row for the blue-eyed Russian, who made a fantastic season start with a 20-3 record and titles in Pattaya and Indian Wells, first career Grand Slam semifinals at the Australian Open and reaching her career-high ranking at #5. But then an ankle injury made her miss clay season and after comeback she wasn't able to recover that level.
17- Elena Vesnina (#23, RUS)
The Russian hottie enjoyed her best season so far, reaching her 1st WTA final ever at Auckland and her first Premier final at New Haven, defeating players like Wozniacki and Kuznetsova, and climbing from #78 to #23 in the WTA ranking.
16- Anna Chakvetadze (#68, RUS)
The cute Russian continued with the slump that started in 2008 and crashed in the ranking falling from #18 down to #68. Nevertheless, she showed her sexiest side on a bikini photoshoot for FHM, and this is really worth a place in our Top-20.
Transition season for the Indian, who is climbing up in the ranking after a 2008 season burdened with a wrist injury. She became the first Indian woman to ever win a Grand Slam title after winning the mixed doubles title in the Australian Open. She also got engaged this year.
19- Iveta Benesova (#38, CZE)
The hot Czech enjoyed one of her best seasons, reaching her best ranking ever at #25 in April. Nevertheless, she still lacks more regularity, as she mixes good performances with very poor ones.
18- Vera Zvonareva (#9, RUS)
2nd Top-10 finish in a row for the blue-eyed Russian, who made a fantastic season start with a 20-3 record and titles in Pattaya and Indian Wells, first career Grand Slam semifinals at the Australian Open and reaching her career-high ranking at #5. But then an ankle injury made her miss clay season and after comeback she wasn't able to recover that level.
17- Elena Vesnina (#23, RUS)
The Russian hottie enjoyed her best season so far, reaching her 1st WTA final ever at Auckland and her first Premier final at New Haven, defeating players like Wozniacki and Kuznetsova, and climbing from #78 to #23 in the WTA ranking.
16- Anna Chakvetadze (#68, RUS)
The cute Russian continued with the slump that started in 2008 and crashed in the ranking falling from #18 down to #68. Nevertheless, she showed her sexiest side on a bikini photoshoot for FHM, and this is really worth a place in our Top-20.
WTAhotties 2009 Hot 100: #30 - #21
30- Yanina Wickmayer (#16, BEL)
Fantastic season for the 20 y.o. Belgian, who was semifinalist at the US Open, won 2 WTA titles at Estoril and Linz and reached career-high ranking at #16. Late in the year she was suspended for 1 year for not reporting her 'whereabouts' in a controversial sentence that finally was overturned.
29- Jelena Jankovic (#8, SRB)
Irregular season for the Serbian, who has one of the hottest bodies on the Tour, too bad that we cannoot say the same about her face. Not to mention her taste in clothes.
28- Romana Tabakova (#667,SVK)
This 18 y.o. Slovak also pursues a modelling career, and she even participated in TV show Slovakia's Next Top Model. She'd better focus on tennis, cause after some good results at juniors (semifinalist at Wimbledon 2008) her career seems to be stuck. If she succeeds in reaching the top, she will be a big star.
27- Vitalia Diatchenko (#112, RUS)
Breakthrough season for this 19 y.o. Russian, who had an amazing beggining of season climbing from #262 to #105, but she couldn't keep this level and failed to break into Top-100. As for Jankovic, she has a really hot body that her face does not match.
26- Olivia Sanchez (#314, FRA)
After 3 consecutive Top-200 finishes, the French had a bad season and dropped out of Top-300. Nevertheless she's both hot and cute so she manages to hang on to a good place in our list.
25- Simona Halep (#184, ROM)
This year the 18 y.o. Romanian gained massive popularity when international media published that she was reducing her breast in order to improve her tennis. News quickly spread over websites, blogs, forums and social networks and there were even petition groups asking her not to do it. But she did and it seems it worked, as she managed to climb from #268 in August to #184 in December.
24- Sabine Lisicki (#22, GER)
Great season for the 20 y.o. German, who gained a lot of fans after capturing her 1st WTA title at the Premier event of Charleston and climbing from #54 to a career-high ranking at #22.
23- Marta Domachowska (#137, POL)
The Polish hottie completely lacks regularity and combines good and bacd season. This was a bad one.
22- Heidi El Tabakh (#159, CAN)
The Egypt-born Canadian really took a step forward this season, climbing from #347 to #159. She combined a regular season at the ITF with a surprising performance in the WTA Premier event at Toronto, where she defeated PAvlyuchenkova and Mirza in the to reach the Main Draw, where she lost to Stosur in two tiebreaks.
21- Jelena Dokic (#56, AUS)
Dokic enjoyed a fairytale story in the Australian Open, which she entered after winning the Australian wild-card tournament and where she progressed to the quarters winning all her matches in the third set and taking a set from 3rd seed Dinara Safina. She couldn't repeat this performance due to different physical problems, but ended the season in great form with 2 titles and one runner-up place in ITF tournaments in one month. Started the year ranked #178 and finished at #56.
Fantastic season for the 20 y.o. Belgian, who was semifinalist at the US Open, won 2 WTA titles at Estoril and Linz and reached career-high ranking at #16. Late in the year she was suspended for 1 year for not reporting her 'whereabouts' in a controversial sentence that finally was overturned.
29- Jelena Jankovic (#8, SRB)
Irregular season for the Serbian, who has one of the hottest bodies on the Tour, too bad that we cannoot say the same about her face. Not to mention her taste in clothes.
28- Romana Tabakova (#667,SVK)
This 18 y.o. Slovak also pursues a modelling career, and she even participated in TV show Slovakia's Next Top Model. She'd better focus on tennis, cause after some good results at juniors (semifinalist at Wimbledon 2008) her career seems to be stuck. If she succeeds in reaching the top, she will be a big star.
27- Vitalia Diatchenko (#112, RUS)
Breakthrough season for this 19 y.o. Russian, who had an amazing beggining of season climbing from #262 to #105, but she couldn't keep this level and failed to break into Top-100. As for Jankovic, she has a really hot body that her face does not match.
26- Olivia Sanchez (#314, FRA)
After 3 consecutive Top-200 finishes, the French had a bad season and dropped out of Top-300. Nevertheless she's both hot and cute so she manages to hang on to a good place in our list.
25- Simona Halep (#184, ROM)
This year the 18 y.o. Romanian gained massive popularity when international media published that she was reducing her breast in order to improve her tennis. News quickly spread over websites, blogs, forums and social networks and there were even petition groups asking her not to do it. But she did and it seems it worked, as she managed to climb from #268 in August to #184 in December.
24- Sabine Lisicki (#22, GER)
Great season for the 20 y.o. German, who gained a lot of fans after capturing her 1st WTA title at the Premier event of Charleston and climbing from #54 to a career-high ranking at #22.
23- Marta Domachowska (#137, POL)
The Polish hottie completely lacks regularity and combines good and bacd season. This was a bad one.
22- Heidi El Tabakh (#159, CAN)
The Egypt-born Canadian really took a step forward this season, climbing from #347 to #159. She combined a regular season at the ITF with a surprising performance in the WTA Premier event at Toronto, where she defeated PAvlyuchenkova and Mirza in the to reach the Main Draw, where she lost to Stosur in two tiebreaks.
21- Jelena Dokic (#56, AUS)
Dokic enjoyed a fairytale story in the Australian Open, which she entered after winning the Australian wild-card tournament and where she progressed to the quarters winning all her matches in the third set and taking a set from 3rd seed Dinara Safina. She couldn't repeat this performance due to different physical problems, but ended the season in great form with 2 titles and one runner-up place in ITF tournaments in one month. Started the year ranked #178 and finished at #56.
