Letters

Mauresmo is a Legit Champ

Re: Mauresmo Is Not #1

I will immediately inform you that I AM one of those gay tennis fans that basically believes that Mauresmo can do no wrong after letting the world know the deal about her sexuality and then rising steadily through the ranks. There are many points well taken from your article, primarily the ones about Mauresmo's lackluster performance against the true "best" of the game at the moment, and her inability to rise beyond mere Tier I tournament winner status. But, let me remind you of a couple of facts before you contend our communities #1 (current) representative out of the picture:

Kim Clijsters held the #1 spot for many weeks due to the same style of performance, going deep into most of the tournaments that she entered, and entering a LOT of events. No one I think questioned her right to hold the #1 position (but like Mauresmo now, they did question her mental ability to "step-up"). There are a number of the women in the top 10 that wouldn't be there if based solely on their performance in the Slams. These women are plugging week after week to accomplish their ranking feats. Why, some of them have played 20+ tournaments over the span of a year, and STILL they haven't fared as well as Mauresmo. I believe that if they perform well, it should be reflected in their ascension to the higher ranks. This then allows them the opportunity for better "draws" in future events and, of course, the Slams. And very often, the draw that you receive is the undoubted determinant of your success in ANY tournament. The easier draws make many an ordinary player appear better, and the final usually weeds out the distinction.

But, back to the point that you were making.

Yes, Slam records are VERY important, as is Slam performance. But it is not the be all and end all of the Women's tennis game, just as the Olympics are not indicative of the best record in other sports, or the Super Bowl isn't of the season's best. The team with the poorer record can, and sometimes does, win the Super Bowl. Or World Series. And virtual unknowns come through and win gold medals or Slams (hello, can you say Jana Novotna or Gaston Gaudio?) It's all about the effort on the day of the event, or in the case of a Slam, the fortnight. The Braves still have the #1 record of reaching Division Playoffs, but as ANY of their fans will quickly point out, they only have the one WS ring during that time period to show for it. But it is still the best record of Division Playoffs made. They have earned that distinction.

And so has Madamoiselle Mauresmo. Again, because the tennis world is NOT just about the Grand Slams, there has to be a goal to strive towards beyond them. I think that goal is to perform the best amongst all other players over the course of a season. And apparently, so do they. I think the system works, because a player's efforts and athleticism can and does become apparent in the rankings. No, Mauresmo may not have broken through that glass ceiling yet, but I believe that she will. But it doesn't matter what I believe, all that matters I think in her situation is that she can be commended for being a class act and a lot better tennis player than most at the moment. There are a LOT of embarassing representatives of our community out there, primarily the ones still in the closet and unwilling to champion the right to be themselves. And I'm not implying that they should be held accountable to anyone other than themselves. But let's pat Mauresmo on the back for her accomplishments. They are well-earned.

- Bob