The fact that Ana Ivanovic deserved the Coupe Suzzane Lenglen in 2008 is not debatable. It had been coming. It was her third Grand Slam final; and she had to win one; sooner; rather than later. That win proved pivotal not only in the career of the champion, Ivanovic; but also in the careers of two other women.

What would have happened if Ivanovic had lost that semi-final against Jankovic? Would she ever have risen to number one again? And if she hadn’t beaten Safina in the final; wouldn’t she still be ‘slamless’ today? She probably would. Or may be Ivanovic would not have indulged in her great slump had she not won Roland Garros in 2008. Maybe it came just too early for her… All ‘if’s and maybe’s’. More on that later.

The Origin…

When Kim Clijsters dethroned Serena Williams at the top of the WTA rankings in August…