[ViagraFeller]

I feel like many of these opinions are carrying over from the last handful of years into THIS year, which I see as a big turning point. Here are my rebuttals to some of the points made in this thread.

*ANYONE can win!*
This year there have been five big tournaments (the slams and the Olympics). Since four players make the semifinals, a potential twenty different players could have reached that stage in 2012. On the ATP side, that number is eight, not coincidentally the top eight ranked players. So what's the number on the wacky, wonky, anything goes WTA!? NINETEEN!???? Ten. The number is ten. It's the top seven women, plus Errani, Clijsters, and Kirilenko. Not too shabby.

If you look at finals only, a potential ten different players could have reached a major final this year. On the ATP side that number will be 4-6 depending on the USO. On the WTA side the number will be five.

The fact is, the top players have been extremely consistent this year in reaching the last stages of the biggest tournaments.

*No Rivalries*
The three match ups between Sharapova, Azarenka, and Kvitova are all extremely promising. Sharapova-Kvitova and Sharapova-Azarenka have faced off five times in the last two years. Kvitova and Sharapova played three times last year. All of these were big matches.

Bartoli has had some pretty thrilling matches against all of those players. Radwanska-Azarenka is fun in a sassy, Hingis-Kournikova way.

Kerber has had a huge number of scalps this year. Of the other ten players in the top eleven, she's beaten seven of them this year, as well as Clijsters and Venus.

*It's embarrassing against Serena*
Check out some Wimbledon highlights again. Serena was at her absolute terrifying best. Both Kvitova and Azarenka showed off some guts and major skill in their matches against her. Both were inches away from getting to a third set with some momentum behind them. Radwanska showed increased power and grit in taking the second set in the final.

As Serena plays out her last handful of years where it's more difficult to be as fast or consistent, there are going to be some great matches between her and these players.

*No personalities*
Sure Kvitova and Stosur are entertaining as sticks, but Azarenka, Sharapova, Serena, Errani, and Ivanovic are always fired up. Bartoli is a cross between a mad scientist and a viking berserker. Petkovic lights up the court, Radwanska and Kerber give epic glares, and Zvonareva may start chewing on the furniture at any time.

*No variety*
Radwanska has her picture next to "variety" in the dictionary. Bartoli has her's by "unusual." Azarenka is powerful but excellent at the net. Kerber prefers defense but can bludgeon with the best. Stosur has her incredible kick serve, while Errani has her craft and fire. Goerges has her bizarre forehand, and Li's shots are flat as a board. I think in the variety category, the WTA is a clear leader.
...

So I say we're seeing the beginnings of a Golden Age, but that's hard to define. It means different things to different people. Here's what I propose:

A) This has been a very consistent, high quality year of tennis on the WTA.

B) The next four-ish years look extremely promising.

I am chaining myself to this tree until someone agrees with me.