[loginereQQ]

"It’s a great honor to reach the No. 1 ranking and it is a dream that every girl who has ever wanted to play professional tennis shares. It is even extra special for me since my brother Marat was able to reach the No. 1 ranking and I am happy to share this achievement with him. There’s no question that while I am very proud of my results over the past year, I would have liked to reach this achievement in a different manner. I hope to prove to everyone over the coming months that I merit the honor of being World No. 1."--Dinara Safina Very nice statement crafted by Dinara and her PR people. She acknowledges that the way she achieved this ranking is not ideal. More than JJ ever did.

[Candykiss]

that's why am a big fan of safina's. she comes off as being humble, having perspective. and not just the crazy family gene. best of luck to her!

[daasayse]

At the same time, a player shouldn't have to apologize for HAVING EARNED the Number 1 ranking. I wish people would leave her alone and let the girl enjoy it. It's possible she may lose it soon and never regain it. Reaching the pinnacle of your profession, something you worked for since you were three years old shouldn't be a bittersweet experience.

(Felt the same way with Jankovic)

[styhorporry]

It's been like this since Kimmie became number 1, doesn't matter how many titles you've won or how consistent you've been during the year, people want to see you perform on the big stage before they feel you've earned the number 1 spot.

[LookSe]

it's not about earning the ranking, it's about befitting the number one ranking, particularly when you have Williamses -who define what a champion is- still winning slams left and right. Unfortunately, I don't think Safina has the slightest nanoparticule of style (or result--at least currently--, or mindset) that befit a number one player (she seems a nice girl though). With Jankovic, at least you had spunk, the right attitude and finals; with Ivanovic you had a slam, gorgeous looks and potential starpower. Today, there's nothing. It's a total downer. It would be like Del Potro becoming number one over Rafa and Fed.

[verybigf]

it's not about earning the ranking, it's about befitting the number one ranking, particularly when you have Williamses -who define what a champion is- still winning slams left and right. Unfortunately, I don't think Safina has the slightest nanoparticule of style (or result--at least currently--, or mindset) that befit a number one player (she seems a nice girl though). With Jankovic, at least you had spunk, the right attitude and finals; with Ivanovic you had a slam, gorgeous looks and potential starpower. Today, there's nothing. It's a total downer. It would be like Del Potro becoming number one over Rafa and Fed.

To me the ranking system is what it is, and if playing lots of tournament and going far without really winning the big ones, is how players are rewarded so be it. Right now it matters not to me who is #1, I do however enjoy seeing my faves ranked high enough (top 5 or top 10) which tells me atleast they are going deep in tournaments and winning when it matters.

I agree to an extent your reasoning with regards to Dinara but I still would put her above Jelena who only reached 1 slam final and choked away every chance she had of winning huge titles. Spunk and right attitude only get you so far, when you can deliver then you've arrived.

They both have 9 career titles most won last year - Dina 3 Tier I-Berlin, Montreal & Tokyo beating in Justine, Serena and Elena to win Berlin. One Tier 2. Jelena has 2 Tier I beating Venus in two and a walkover from Sharapova in one and Alize to win Rome. Now I'm not saying she don't deserve them because of who she beat, just than in my opinion she's hardly ever beat the top players when it matters to win big, and that's her downfall IMHO. Oh and BTW she don't continously make finals either, she's good at making semis and qfs.

In any event like I said it is what it is. Congrats to Dinara and her fans.

Foxy

[soitlyobserty]

it's not about earning the ranking, it's about befitting the number one ranking, particularly when you have Williamses -who define what a champion is- still winning slams left and right. Unfortunately, I don't think Safina has the slightest nanoparticule of style (or result--at least currently--, or mindset) that befit a number one player (she seems a nice girl though). With Jankovic, at least you had spunk, the right attitude and finals; with Ivanovic you had a slam, gorgeous looks and potential starpower. Today, there's nothing. It's a total downer. It would be like Del Potro becoming number one over Rafa and Fed.

Safina has played 2 GS finals to Jankovic 1. I don't see the difference between them

[soitlyobserty]

Very nice statement crafted by Dinara and her PR people. She acknowledges that the way she achieved this ranking is not ideal. More than JJ ever did.

She slamed Feds for speaking of it.

[Gometesstem]

Dinara has better results than Jelena had when she became #1, but I agree with Zinfandel that Jelena's game (at her best), personality and attitude is more appropriate for a #1 player.

[daasayse]

Maybe they can revise the ranking system to include spunk and looks.

[verybigf]

Dinara has better results than Jelena had when she became #1, but I agree with Zinfandel that Jelena's game (at her best), personality and attitude is more appropriate for a #1 player.

Is that why she held on to it so long, with her appropriate game, personality and attitude?

To me this is a bunch of crock. I would agree having the right game and to some extent attitude is key to anyone's success for reaching the top but personality is not as vital. I see no problem with DelPo being #1 over Rafa and or Roger if he does what is required on court to get there. He does not have to smile and grin every two seconds for me to notice him.

Foxy

[Gometesstem]

I wouldn't rule out Jelena being back at some point.

Jelena's defense is the best on tour regardless of her ranking. I can't find any element of Dinara's game that would be #1...

[soitlyobserty]

Is that why she held on to it so long, with her appropriate game, personality and attitude?

To me this is a bunch of crock. I would agree having the right game and to some extent attitude is key to anyone's success for reaching the top but personality is not as vital. I see no problem with DelPo being #1 over Rafa and or Roger if he does what is required on court to get there. He does not have to smile and grin every two seconds for me to notice him.

Foxy

At the same time a lof of people think she is a drama queen . So, She is not Clijsters

[styhorporry]

Maybe they can revise the ranking system to include spunk and looks.

Post of the day.

[Gometesstem]

morct, with whom did you have to sleep to get so many medals?

[styhorporry]

morct, with whom did you have to sleep to get so many medals?

You haven't noticed my prowess in all the contests this yr suliso???????

[Candykiss]

it's not about earning the ranking, it's about befitting the number one ranking, particularly when you have Williamses -who define what a champion is- still winning slams left and right. Unfortunately, I don't think Safina has the slightest nanoparticule of style (or result--at least currently--, or mindset) that befit a number one player (she seems a nice girl though). With Jankovic, at least you had spunk, the right attitude and finals; with Ivanovic you had a slam, gorgeous looks and potential starpower. Today, there's nothing. It's a total downer. It would be like Del Potro becoming number one over Rafa and Fed.

thing is we want the #1 to be a shining example. the way rafa's run last year inspired us all. and if jmdp sets the world alight with his tennis then yup, rank him above rafa and fed. he will have proved he's a champ. but in safina's case it almost happened despite herself. serena lost her match. when safina had to win x number of matches to become #1, she faltered. and in their showscase head to head at the oz open safina was jell-o. hard to think of a more passive way to start your reign as number 1.

[bonyrek]

Good luck with that, Dina (this isn't snarky, btw).

[zlopikanikanz]

Maybe they can revise the ranking system to include spunk and looks.

Post of the day.

co-sign

morct, with whom did you have to sleep to get so many medals?

Didn't you hear? Dry's going to be a father.

[kubekniekubek]

Didn't you hear? Dry's going to be a father.

Sure is!