Week 20 - WTA Premier 5 ($3.45M) - Rome, Italy (Clay)

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Week 20 - WTA Premier 5 ($3.45M) - Rome, Italy (Clay)

JonH · All-time great

Good week for Jo and an RG (definitely) and Wimbledon (probably) seeding in the bag so could well be a season changer for her as it will help her draws significantly, potentially.

ROSAMUND · Futures level

When you look at the quality of opponent Jo beat to reach the Italian final in 2019 compared with Virginia Wade in 1971 you realise there is far greater deptb in womens tennis these days. You realise Virginia had a virtual walk over because there was no King, Court, Goolagong ,Casals etc. entered.

JonH · All-time great

ROSAMUND wrote:
When you look at the quality of opponent Jo beat to reach the Italian final in 2019 compared with Virginia Wade in 1971 you realise there is far greater deptb in womens tennis these days. You realise Virginia had a virtual walk over because there was no King, Court, Goolagong ,Casals etc. entered.

Back in the 70s the womens tour outside of the USA was generally v weak. European events had poor entries, the best women could play Virginia slims, Avon etc in a big city.in the USA and none really came to Europe for anything but Wimbledon. Even the French open had a relatively weak field v often