Once again Ubitennis is seeking the help of our readers to decide which players we should nominate for the 2017 WTA awards.
The international media vote is when journalists around the world submit their preferences to which player they think deserve to win each category. Similar to the ATP Awards, our vote will be decided by our readers.
There is a total of five categories in the media vote, including the player of the year and the most improved player of the year. The WTA awards are an annual event that celebrates and recognises the achievements of players over the past 12 months. Last year’s winners include Angelique Kerber (player of the year) and Naomi Osaka (newcomer of the year).
Player of the Year
- Simona Halep (ROU) – one title this season (Madrid)
- Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) – two titles this season (Wimbledon and Cincinnati)
- Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) – two titles this season (French Open and Seoul)
- Karolina Pliskova (CZE) – three titles this season (Brisbane International, Doha, Eastbourne)
- Elina Svitolina (UKR) – five titles this season (Taiwan Open, Dubai Open, Istanbul, Rome, Toronto)
- Venus Williams (USA) – yet to win a title in 2017
The player of the year category has six nominees, including two players that has won grand slam titles this year. Jelena Ostapenko has made that cut after winning the French Open as an unseeded player in what was her first ever title on the tour. More recently the Latvian also won the Korean Open. Garbine Muguruza, who experience a brief stint at world No.1 earlier this season, is also in the mixed. The Spaniard won her second major title at Wimbledon as well as the Cincinnati Open. Current world No.1 Simona Halep, Karolina Pliskova and Venus Williams are also nominated.
Most Improved Player of the Year
- Caroline Garcia (FRA)
- Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)
- Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)
- Elina Svitolina (UKR)
- Coco Vandeweghe (USA)
Caroline Garcia’s recent success in China has justified her nomination for the most improved player of the year. The French player enjoyed a 11-match winning streak to claim titles in Wuhan and Beijing. She has now risen to a ranking high of ninth in the world, improving from her position of 24th at the start of the year. Compatriot Kristina Mladenovic is also nominated due to her strong first half of 2017, when she won the St. Petersburg Open. On the other hand, she has endured a nightmare second half of the season by failing to win a match since August. Ostapenko and Svitolina are amongst those selected.
Newcomer of the Year
- Catherine Bellis (USA) – ranked 90th at the end of 2016. Achieved a ranking best of 35th in August.
- Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) – ranked 211th at the end of 2016. Currently at a ranking high of 58th.
- Elise Mertens (BEL) – ranked 160th at the end of 2016. Now at a ranking high of 38th.
- Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) – ranked 376th at the end of 2016. Achieved a ranking high of 61st at the start of October.
The newcomer of the year recognizes those who has made a top 100 debut or a notable achievement during the season. All four nominees are aged between 18-21. 18-year-old Catherine Bellis achieved a ranking high of 35th during the summer. The American has reached the semifinals of two WTA tournaments this season in Mallorca and Stanford. Challenging for the award is Marketa Vondrousova, who rose to prominence in April following her shock run to the Biel Open title. The Czech player has also won four titles in the ITF circuit this year and is currently ranked 63rd in the world.
Comeback Player of the Year
- Ashleigh Barty (AUS)
- Madison Keys (USA)
- Petra Kvitova (CZE)
- Sloane Stephens (USA)
Four players will fight it out for the comeback of the year award. Petra Kvitova returned to the tour at the French Open after suffering a serious injury to her left hand during a knife attack at her home. The Czech was once warned that she may never play again, but has defied the odds. Winning 18 out of 27 matches played on the tour so far this year. Sloane Stephens missed the first six months of the season due to a foot injury, but managed to shock the tour by winning the US Open in what was her fifth tournament. Runner-up Madison Keys is also nominated following her struggles with a wrist injury. Finally, Australia’s Ashleigh Barty took time away from the sport and played in the women’s cricket league before rediscovering her love for the sport.
Doubles Team of the Year
- Yung-Jan Chan/Martina Hingis (TPE/SUI)
- Ekaterina Makarova/Elena Vesnina (RUS/RUS)
- Bethanie Mattek-Sands/Lucie Safarova (USA/CZE)
Martina Hingis and Yung-Jan Chan are positioned as a strong favourite for the accolade. Together they have won nine titles on the tour this season, including the US Open. Impressively, they have managed to win back-to-back titles on four separate occasions. In the WTA doubles rankings they currently take the top two spots with Hingis in first place. Wimbledon champions Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina have claimed a trio of titles this year. They have also reached the quarterfinals at both the Australian and French Open. The final contenders are Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova, whose strong start to the season came to an abrupt end after Mattek-Sands picked up a serious knee injury at Wimbledon. Prior to the injury, they achieved a win-loss record of 21-4 on the tour.
How do I vote?
Ubitennis’ nominees will be based on the player with the highest vote from our readers. Readers are invited to take part in our quick survey (see below) and comment to share their own views.
The deadline for the media vote is Monday 16th October with the winners being recognised during the end-of-year WTA Finals in Singapore.
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