Mauresmo ranking makes zero sense

Last month it was Henin-Hardenne who added Olympic gold to her January Australian Open title and the Wimbledon and U.S. Open crowns she won in 2003.

But, after a year blighted by a mystery viral illness, the Belgian was forced to surrender the top spot she had occupied in the rankings for 46 weeks since last October.

Mauresmo won the silver medal at the Athens Olympics and helped France win the Fed Cup last year. But she has reached only one Grand Slam final, losing to Martina Hingis at the 1999 Australian Open.

At the French Open she has never progressed beyond the quarters, always succumbing to crippling nerves unbecoming a world number one.

Such has been Henin-Hardenne’s dominance, the only player to have interrupted her tenure at the top was compatriot Kim Clijsters, who reclaimed it briefly at the end of 2003. Clijsters had been the first player to reach the top without a Grand Slam crown when she claimed it in August 2003. Mauresmo is the second.

But while there is a feeling Clijsters will one day win a Major title — she has reached four finals and has won the season-ending championships twice at just 21 years old — Mauresmo’s future is less certain.

“Hopefully, now the Grand Slams will follow,” Mauresmo smiled at the weekend, adding that her main goal was still to win a Major crown. It’s all about building things step by step. This gives me an incentive.”

It is not incentives Mauresmo needs, however, rather a steelier nerve and more confidence in her undoubted abilities. Perhaps attaining the world number one ranking will give her that confidence.

Certainly the WTA would hope so — its ranking credibility depends on the top players having both the ability and the character to win the Grand Slam titles. (Reuters)