Now, let me introduce the current top 10 players of the WTA tour. Though I like the old ones better, these girls give me a lot to envy about when it comes to both fashion and athleticism. I like it that a lot of them mantains an aura of invincibility on the court while keeping their femininity intact. If you wanna know more about them, just click on the names and the links will lead you to their complete profiles. On to the list…

1. Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium)

She’s the current best. She managed to be in all Grand Slam finals this year and also reached the final of the WTA Tour Year-End Championships, becoming the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1993 (and only the 5th ever) to do that. She won the French and the YEC. [And she needs to change her WTA profile picture, hehe. You'll find better pics of her.]

2. Maria Sharapova (Russia) 

This year’s U.S. Open Champion. 2004 Wimbledon champion. Who knows tennis today who doesn’t know her? She’s the glamor girl (the highest paid when in comes to endorsements), the towering (she’s 6′2″!) blond with a monster of a serve. You know what she’s also famous for? Watch here:

Ahhh, I’ve always hated that shriek! But the girl’s got real talent, so whatever!

3. Amelie Mauresmo (France)

Previous no. 1 player. This year’s Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. She may not be feminine (well, yeah, she’s gay), she may have a very muscular body, but I see her as a softie. Before this year, she hasn’t won a Slam, she’s known for choking on big occassions (thus seldom winning the big events), and even when facing Justine (who’s 4-in. shorter), she can look more vulnerable and less imposing.

4.   Svetlana Kuznetzova (Russia)

5.   Kim Clijsters (Belgium)

Believe me when I tell you, she looks better than this, haha! I got all these photos from the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Websiteand even I was surprised at what’s there. Really, they all can look better than these pictures. And Kim is such a nice girl! Always smiling The friendliest among the lot, they say. Which becomes a liability sometimes. Some say she lacks the killer instinct. That Sharapova-like, I’ll eat you up alive, demeanor (Disclaimer: I am not a Sharapova hater, hehe).

6. Nadia Petrova (Russia)

Now that’s a profile picture!

7. Martina Hingis (Switzerland)
The Swiss Miss. The smiling assassin. The tactical genius. She was a prodigy during the late 90s, already managed to put her name among the greats before reaching the age of 20. In 2002, she announced her retirement due to several injuries, but just this year announced that she’s making a comeback. And what a comeback that was! She won the Australian mixed doubles title and another tournament in Rome (Italian Open). And already has a place at the top 10. Not bad, Marti (though I still haven’t forgiven you for that 1999 French Open thing)! She’s the one facing Sharapova in the above video.

8. Elena Dementieva (Russia)

9. Patty Schnyder (Switzerland)

10. Nicole Vaidisova (Czech Republic)

Another IT-girl. She’s got lots of potential, I believe. Just don’t compare her to Sharapova, she hates that. Her idol, she said, is Graf (smart girl, I say)

There you go folks! Sorry can’t post their pics in full tennis gear, that would take too much space. Maybe next time.

Next stop… the bombshells (the less successful, but pretty, ones)