It’s been a long time coming.
Last year, Caro’s career exploded. Capped off by the USO final berth, Caro was no longer the little girl winning the tiny tournaments. She had made the big time. And while the fans (and young males…) came in support, so did the haters.
Much as been made about Caro being the top seed going into the USO (she’s still not the number 1 in the world…) but Caro finally has her first “Tier I” championship (or Premier 5, in this case).
It was a weird day of tennis. Caro and Sveta got off to a slow start in the morning, and Caro won the match on the back of consistency. Kuz had real timing troubles, and sitting back in the second set eventually burned her when she made a bunch of silly errors to be broken late in the set.
Vika just baaaarely lost the first set… and then had to retire early in the second due to a blister on her foot. Props to her for realizing that she was going to be screwed if she had to play again later the day. And way to thicken the plot heading into the USO.
The final was equally weird. Bepa couldn’t buy a first serve (no seriously, it was bad) and Caro just did her Caro thing. Bepa couldn’t find the range, the serve, the consistency… you name it. And then it was over, and the haters were left with nothing but a gigantic golden smile to suck on.
Listen, I get the point. Caro plays low risk tennis, doesn’t hit a ton of winners, has a sub par net game, and collects a ton of wins. But doesn’t something need to be said for consistent tennis?
In her last three matches, Flavia, Sveta, and Bepa, Caro pushed balls out wide, played great defense, and yes, hit winners when the oppurtunity was there. Not to mention, she showed some pretty solid power, crushing second serves and at times overwhelming opponents from both wings.
If consistent tennis can’t win in today’s WTA… what can?
Honestly, some of this “OMG Caroline is going to be the #1 seed at the USO the WTA sux!11!!!” shit needs to stop. What has she done that was so damn wrong? She won matches? Yeah, that is so horrible. She played smart tennis? String her up by her shoe laces. She realizes that some of the ball bashers will bash their way to losing the match. Throw her out of the tournament! JFC, people need to shut up. She does what is asked of her-plays and wins matches at tournaments. What else do you want the girl to do?
Maybe this is my bias coming through. I don’t love her game but I genuinely like her so I root for her. I’m getting tired of people railing on her for no good reason.
Gah, those are my exact thoughts that I didn’t post as a post because… well… it might have turned out so well. But you nailed it. It’s not like the girl is winning points illegally.
She’s not even playing that much, her top 10 finish last year prevents her from entering many MMs.
Yes, she still plays a ton compared to the Williams and Kim. But the former are almost 10 years her seniors and the later is pretty much a part-time tennis player nowadays.
And I thought playing tournaments and supporting the tour was a good thing. That’s why Serena gets so much flack, yeah?
A lot is made of her lucking out with draws, particularly over at TF. It’s true. But her draws wouldn’t fall out if seeded player were consistent and lived up to their ranking.
With Serena and Justine out and Venus a huge question mark, I really do think Caro is the mentally toughest player out there right now. Sure she’s stumbled in recent months, but the Rogers Cup win puts her back on track and she’s a hell of a lot more consistent then 99% of the players right now. Wouldn’t be at all shocked if she wins the USO in a few weeks.
If Caro wins the US open this year, i’ll be the first to stand and applaud. True, i don’t like her game all that much, but you above posters are all correct. She is simply doing what her job asks her to do, which is to perform week in and week out. If she can add a slam to her c.v., it only legitimizes the fact that she’s doing her job well.