WTA Finals: Julia Görges - "Sabalenka could run into problems"
The path to the last big title of the year led through the “Porsche Race to the WTA Finals”. The eight tennis players with the highest points in this official qualification ranking secured a place at the WTA Finals from November 10th to 17th in Guadalajara. Porsche has been the official partner of the prestigious year-end tournament since 2014.
by PM
last edit:
Nov 09, 2021, 07:47 pm
The favorites of Porsche brand ambassador Julia Görges in the Pan American Tennis Center of the Mexican metropolis are Barbora Krejcikova and Iga Swiatek - as well as hopeful outsiders Anett Kontaveit.
“With their variable game, Barbora can certainly adapt well to the special circumstances at the height of Guadalajara. I just hope that she isn't too nervous at her first WTA Finals, ”said the winner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2011 about the French Open winner. In Paris the Czech won the doubles together with Katerina Siniakova, as well as at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The most successful duo of the year will also compete in Guadalajara, as one of eight doubles that have also bought the ticket for Mexico via the “Porsche Race to the WTA Finals”. “In terms of play equipment, Iga Swiatek should also be able to play for the title,” says Julia Görges, who ended her successful tennis career a year ago, about the Polish French Open winner from 2020. “She has the spin that is in the Guadalajara high altitude could be the key to success. "
Sabalenka and the altitude
As for the title chances of Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two and top seed from Belarus, Julia Görges is rather skeptical. “She played very well this season, including at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, where I saw her live in the final,” she says. “But I fear that she could run into problems because she is playing very straight and the balls used in Guadalajara will be very difficult for her to control.” Because of the thin air at over 1,500 meters above sea level, they play with pressureless, extremely soft balls that the players are not used to. Julia Görges: “With us these balls would not bounce, just roll away. However, they go off like a rocket at high altitudes. "
As an outsider with title chances, she sees Estonian Anett Kontaveit, a 2019 finalist at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. She knows her well and used to train with her a lot. “Of all the players in the finals, one certainly least of all expected her to qualify,” she says. “With two wins in a row in Moscow and Cluj-Napoca, she made it almost at the last minute. She is currently on a run and has the least pressure of all - that makes her dangerous for any opponent. "
Görges regrets Ashleigh Barty's absence
As for the title chances of Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two and top seed from Belarus, Julia Görges is rather skeptical. “She played very well this season, including at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, where I saw her live in the final,” she says. “But I fear that she could run into problems because she is playing very straight and the balls used in Guadalajara will be very difficult for her to control.” Because of the thin air at over 1,500 meters above sea level, they play with pressureless, extremely soft balls that the players are not used to. Julia Görges: “With us these balls would not bounce, just roll away. However, they go off like a rocket at high altitudes. "
As an outsider with title chances, she sees Estonian Anett Kontaveit, a 2019 finalist at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. She knows her well and used to train with her a lot. “Of all the players in the finals, one certainly least of all expected her to qualify,” she says. “With two wins in a row in Moscow and Cluj-Napoca, she made it almost at the last minute. She is currently on a run and has the least pressure of all - that makes her dangerous for any opponent. "
# IMG2 #
Players: These players qualified for the traditional year-end tournament via the “Porsche Race to the WTA Finals” with a total of 54 tournaments, including the four Grand Slams:
Group Chichén Iztá: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus), Maria Sakkari (Greece), Iga Swiatek (Poland), Paula Badosa (Spain).
Teotihuacán group: Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic), Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic), winner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2018, Garbine Muguruza (Spain), Anett Kontaveit (Estonia).
The eight best doubles are also qualified.
Mode: The two groups play against each other according to the round robin system. The top two in each group advance to the semi-finals. The individual winner receives the Billie Jean King Trophy, the winning double is awarded the Martina Navratilova Trophy.
History: The WTA Finals were first held in 1972 in Bacon Raton / Florida. Winner at the time: Chris Evert. The most successful player in the history of the tournament is Martina Navratilova with seven wins in singles. The first German winner was Sylvia Hanika in 1982. As the most successful German, Steffi Graf won the title five times (1987, 1989. 1993, 1995, 1996) - in 1995 in the final against Anke Huber, today Sports Director of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.