The 2014 WTA Moods Awards

2014 was definitely one of the most interesting years on the WTA tour. The once unshaven dominance of Serena Williams was strongly contested not by closest rival, Victoria Azarenka, but by the rising stars Simona Halep and Eugenie Bouchard. In addition to these young guns, established players like Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Andrea Petkovic, Venus Williams, or Alize Cornet made a much-awaited return to top form. Frenchwoman Cornet achieved what once seemed like an impossible performance, stunning Serena three consecutive times to derail the American's quest for an historic 18th Slam. After struggling in the first half of the season, Williams caught wings during the North American season when she successfully defended her US Open crown, before claiming the WTA Championships trophy and ensuring another No.1 season-ending finish. 

Simona Halep won over the world during her heartbreaking defeat to Maria Sharapova in the French Open final—the Russian proving once again she is the queen of clay. After two semifinals, Genie Bouchard took it one step further by reaching the Wimbledon final, becoming the first Canadian to achieve the feat. Other youngsters who have made their mark in 2014 were Belinda Bencic—who made the quarterfinals at the US Open—Caroline Garcia and Madison Keys—who both won their maiden title—as well as Spanish Garbine Muguruza, who stunned Serena at Roland Garros en route to the last eight.

Making a powerful revival this season was former world No.1, Ana Ivanovic—who collected four titles to strengthen her presence inside the top 5—Flavia Pennetta—who claimed the biggest title of her career at Indian Wells—and Andrea Petkovic, who won three titles and made the semifinals at Roland Garros. 

In the shock of the season, recently crowned Australian Open champion Na Li announced her retirement from the game due to medical reasons. But while other hang up the racquet, other were mounted a fabulous comeback. Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, the former teen prodigy, stirred waters with her fourth round appearance at Flushing Meadows, before making tennis history with her title in Quebec. 

Although Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci maintained their doubles supremacy, Martina Hingis and Flavia Pennetta joined forces late in the season to form the most enthusiastic duo on the tour.

Tennis Moods looks back at all these incredible stories and rewards these amazing champions. Congrats to all the 2014 WTA Moods Awards winners!

The 'World's Greatest' Award (for the best player of the year)

Winner: Serena Williams

Runner-up: Simona Halep

The 'She Found Love' Award (for the most improved player of the year)

Winner: Eugenie Bouchard

Runner-up: Ana Ivanovic

The 'Homecoming' Award (for the most spectacular comeback)

Winner: Mirjana Lucic-Baroni

Runner-up: Caroline Wozniacki

The 'She Works Hard for the Money' Award (for the most hard-working player)

Winner: Angelique Kerber

Runner-up: Agnieszka Radwanska

The 'Here I Am' Award (for the newcomer of the year)

Winner: Eugenie Bouchard

Runner-up: Garbine Muguruza

The 'We Are Young' Award (for the most promising youngster on the tour)

Winner: Belinda Bencic

Runner-up: Caroline Garcia

The 'Talk That Talk' Award (for the wittiest player on the tour)

Winner: Caroline Wozniacki

Runner-up: Na Li

The 'Broken Hearted Girl' Award (for the most disappointing player of the year)

Winner: Victoria Azarenka

Runner-up: Maria Kirilenko

The 'Queen of Hearts' Award (for the Tennis Moods' favourite)

Winner: Victoria Azarenka

Runner-up: Ana Ivanovic

The 'When We Collide' Award (for the most spectacular doubles team)

Winner: Martina Hingis & Flavia Pennetta

Runner-up: Timea Babos & Kristina Mladenovic

The 'I Feel Pretty' Award (for the the most beautiful player)

Winner: Eugenie Bouchard

Runner-up: Maria Kirilenko

The 'Fashion of Her Love' Award (for the best dressed player throughout the year)

Winner: Venus Williams

Runner-up: Eugenie Bouchard

The 'Paparazzi' Award (for the most memorable outfit of the season)

Winner: Serena Williams (US Open outfit)

Runner-up: Caroline Wozniacki (US Open outfit)

The 'I Will Always Love You' Award (for the player who retired this year and will be missed the most)

Winner: Na Li

Runner-up: Dinara Safina

The 'Imagine' Award (for the most emotional story of the year)

Winner: Simona Halep reaching the Roland Garros final

Runner-up: Simona Halep reaching the WTA Championships

The 'I Dreamed a Dream' Award (for the accomplishment of a dream)

Winner: Na Li winning the Australian Open

Runner-up: Dominika Cibulkova reaching the Australian Open final

The 'Hero' Award (for the braveheart performance of the year)

Winner: Maria Sharapova at Roland Garros

Runner-up: Serena Williams at the WTA Championships

The 'Clash of Titans' Award (for the most exhilarating duel of the year)

Winner: Simona Halep & Maria Sharapova

Runner-up: Ana Ivanovic & Maria Sharapova

SEE ALSO: The 2011 WTA Moods Awards, The 2012 WTA Moods Awards, and The 2013 WTA Moods Awards

Champion of Champions. Petko Has the Final Laugh in Sofia

A week she started on the wrong foot ended in superb fashion for the ultra-popular Andrea Petkovic who clinched the title in the last edition of the Tournament of Champions in Sofia. After being crushed by Carla Suarez Navarro in the opening round robin match, the German picked herself to cruise past Australian Open runner-up Dominika Cibulkova and home hope Tsvetlana Pironkova. With a 2-1 record, she was second in her group and qualified for the semis. 

Having found her game at the best moment, Petko defeated rising star Garbine Muguruza 6-1,6-4 to book a date with Italy's Flavia Pennetta in the final. The match was once again an uphill battle. Flavia was untouchable in the early stages. She was magnificent, sealing the opener 6-1. But as usually with the Italian, she cannot really keep up the intensity for long. As soon as the opponent begins to fight back, she loses the momentum and the battle turns around. That exactly what Petkovic did. She stayed with Pennetta until she saw the opportunity to strike blood, turning things around to claim an epic 1-6,6-4,6-3 victory.

"I love watching Flavia play, but I hate playing her because she's so difficult to play!" said the German. "I'm happy I could gather enough energy and play well enough to win it in the end."

Both players had a great season. Petkovic won three titles—Charleston, Bad Gastein, and now Sofia—in addition to reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros. Flavia made the quarterfinals at both the Australian and the US Open and won the biggest crown of her career in Indian Wells. After some tough months marred with injuries, the duo has fought its way back into the top 15 and are seriously threatening to go higher next year. 

"I'm happy I met Flavia in the final because we've both been coming back from injury this year," declared Andrea. "I was so happy when she won Indian Wells because I know what she went through, and so it's even nicer to play her for this title today. I hope the next season is even better for her."

This event marked the end of the regular 2014 season. There are a few 125k tournaments left and of course, the Fed Cup final, but most players have already booked a truly deserved vacation. Petkovic is not one of them though, as the German is hoping to help her country lift the Fed Cup crown for the first time since 1992. Go, #teamGermany!

The exclusive field in Sofia consisted of, from left to right, Andrea Petkovic, Flavia Pennetta, Tsvetlana Pironkova, Ekaterina Makarova, Garbine Muguruza, Dominika Cibulkova, Carla Suarez Navarro, respectively Alize Cornet.

Flavia had a good week in Sofia being very close to lifting the trophy. She was in an excellent position to close out the victory before Petkovic fought back to eventually win an epic final.

Although she lost the first match, Andrea Petkovic rebounded in great style to clinch the trophy. She beat Italian Flavia Pennetta 1-6,6-4,6-3 to crown herself champion of champions in Sofia.

photos: Anton Stakov, Desislava Kulelieva, Anton Stakov

Martina's Near Miss at the US Open

When she came out of retirement she probably did not choose her partner very wisely. Daniela Hantuchova is a talented player, but she lacks the consistency and the variety to really complement Martina's smart games. Consequently, after some poor results last season, Hingis reassessed the situation and ultimately opted for another combo. She looked to have found the golden recipe when she teamed up with her trainee Sabine Lisicki to win in Miami, but the end of the collaboration left her without a partner. 

After a failed attempt with Vera Zvonareva at Wimbledon, the Swiss Miss found a permanent partner in Italian Flavia Pennetta. The two first joined forces at Eastbourne where they reached the final, but the duo really caught fire at the US Open where they came very close to lifting the title.

The fan-favourite team cruised to the final without dropping a set, taking out three seeds, Pavlyuchenkova/Safarova, Peschke/Srebotnik, respectively C. Black/Mirza. In the final they came out firing, winning the first set 6-2 and going a break up in the second. At that moment, Pennetta's game deserted her, the Italian making a slew of silly unforced errors that allowed their opponents to get back into the match. Experienced Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina responded to the invitation, turning the battle around, and ultimately closing out a 2-6,6-3,6-2 victory to lift their second Grand Slam crown. 

"We teamed up in the middle of the season and two months later we're here in the finals of the US Open—I could have only dreamed of this when we started playing together," Hingis said. "It's been an incredible journey here. They were just too good today, so I'd like to congratulate them."

I was really disappointed for Hingis to have missed out on such a great chance to add a 10th doubles major trophy to her elustrious resume. It was a match she should have won, but I trust this is just the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with Flavia. Hingis is equally optimistic: "We'll go to Asia—definitely Wuhan and Beijing—and do our best there, and then next year there's again four Grand Slams," she said. Hope to see you around next year, Swiss Miss!

Martina Hingis came very close to winning her 10th Grand Slam doubles title at the US Open. The Swiss Miss and her partner, Italian Flavia Pennetta, lost 2-6,6-3,6-2 to Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.

photos: GETTY IMAGES

Flavia's Big Triumph in Indian Wells

What a difference a year makes! Twelve months ago, Italian Flavia Pennetta contemplated retirement following a nasty and lengthy wrist injury that saw her fall out of the top 100. Today, Flavia is marching on her return to the top 10 having won the biggest crown of her career in Indian Wells.

It's been a dream fortnight for Pennetta in the Californian desert. After a tricky opening encounter against young American hope, Taylor Townsend, Flavia upped her level to beat the always-dangerous Australian, Sam Stosur. Things got a bit easier in the quarterfinals—where she ended the hot run of her compatriot, Camilla Giorgi—but then came the stiffest of tests. In the semifinals, she met Australian Open champion and world No.2, Chinese Na Li. Li had just crushed Pennetta a month ago in Melbourne, but this time the Italian was better prepared. Putting forth an aggressive display and relying on her stellar backhand down the line, Flavia got a well-deserved revenge, winning 7-6,6-3 to advance to the final. 

Having earned a golden opportunity, Pennetta knew how not to let it slip away. She played sensationally to stun an injured Radwanska and seal her tenth career trophy. Although Aga injured her knee and wasn't 100% fit, all credit goes to the Italian for the way she dealt with the situation. She didn't waste time, closing out a quick 6-2,6-1 victory. "I'm happy. Really happy," she beamed afterwards. "I think I need a few days to realize this. Right now I'm too calm, I think. I called my dad, and he couldn't breathe. I told him, 'Papa, breathe!'

The win is even more special as it comes after a rather dark period. "For me, this is something I was waiting for a long time," she confessed. "After so many years and so much work and everything, this is the moment I was waiting for. And it comes when you least expect it. In the beginning of the tournament I never expected to be the champion, or even be in the final or semifinal. I was just here trying to play my best tennis."

It's so great to see Flavia play her best tennis again. Although she got overshadowed by Sara Errani, who reached the 2012 Roland Garros final, I strongly believe she is Italy's best prospect for a potential Grand Slam champion. She confirmed it at the last two majors where she reached the semifinals, respectively the quarterfinals. In an era where besides Serena Williams there aren't really many strong second-bests, Pennetta could very well seize the opening. She has the weapons—she's strong of both wings—and provided she is consistent, she could win a Slam. Her biggest chances are in New York and at the French Open, so maybe 2014 will be her year. Congrats on a stunning success in Indian Well! Job well done, Flavia!

Playing aggressive tennis, Pennetta extracted revenge on world No.2, Na Li, to book her place in the Indian Wells final. The Chinese stopped Flavia in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, but this time the Italian was better prepared. She won 7-6,6-3.

Playing in the biggest final of her career, Flavia took full advantage of Aga Radwanska's knee injury, crushing the Pole 6-2,6-1 to claim her tenth WTA crown.

photos: GETTY IMAGES

Flavia Shows Forza in Melbourne

There wasn't much news on Flavia Pennetta since her magnificent run to the semifinals of the US Open last season. Although she announced herself back in the game with that superb result in New York, Flavia did not confirm during the Asian swing, nor European indoor season. However, it all came together at the right moment. 

Although she injured her ankle at the start of the season while playing in the Hopman Cup, Pennetta recovered in time for the Australian Open. She was quick off the blocks, beating Romanian Alexandra Cadantu, Puerto Rican Monica Puig, and German Mona Barthel without dropping a set. 

Hoping to advance to her first Melbourne quarterfinal, Flavia came across a familiar face in the form of German Angelique Kerber. The two met in 2011 in New York, when Kerber stunned hot favourite Pennetta to advance to her first Grand Slam semifinal. That loss was extremely painful for the Italian, so she was determined to get her revenge. She started strongly, cruising through the first set 6-1. The German, an established top 10 presence now, got her groove back in the second act, winning it 6-4. Pennetta had controlled the match throughout, and although she let go of a 5-3 advantage in the decider, she was not to be denied, closing out a 6-1,4-6,7-5 victory. "I think the first set was perfect," she confessed. "I was really aggressive. Everything was working pretty good. My serve, my return, everything was perfect."

"In the second set I was waiting a little bit more and she started to play much better—of course, it's normal. I had a few chances in the second set and didn't make it. And then in the third it was a little bit up and down for both of us - I served for the match at 5-3 and played really badly, I have to say.

"But I just tried to keep going and tried to be aggressive, and in the end it was working pretty well."

In her post-match interview, the Italian talked about her struggles recovering from the injury that sidelined her for six months last year. "The feeling I had was completely not good," she said. "I kept working well with my team and everyone, but in the beginning the result was not good at all. I did like five or six first rounds in a row. But everything has just changed, because I think I was there and trying to play all the time and just working really hard."

"So this is amazing. It's always nice to be in the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam, and it's the first time for me here, and I really enjoy playing here. Today was a really good match and I'm just very happy."

Next up for ferocious Flavia is Chinese trailblazer, Na Li, twice a runner-up here in Melbourne, including last year, when she lost a nail-biting encounter to Azarenka.

photo: GETTY IMAGES

The 2013 WTA Moods Awards

2013 has been a fabulous year for the WTA tour. Not only did the WTA celebrate its 40th anniversary, but the leading ladies of the tour have put forth some breath-taking performances. Serena Williams once again dominated the proceedings, making an emphatic return to No.1 before going on to win Roland Garros, the US Open, and the WTA Tour Championships. Her fiercest rival, Vika Azarenka, also showed glimpses of geniuses, successfully defending her Australian Open crown. More important, she set records straight with Serena, beating the American to win in Doha and Cincinnati. Sadly, she lost the Flushing Meadows final, one of the most emotional and electrifying matches I ever saw. 

Wimbledon provided one of the most beautiful stories of the year, with quirky Marion Bartoli achieving her life goal by crowning herself champion. The star of the tournament was German Sabine Lisicki though, who beat Serena Williams and Aga Radwanska en route to her first Grand Slam final. 

2013 also saw the emergence of two new stars in Sloane Stephens and the million-dollar Romanian, Simona Halep. Stephens fared better in majors, but Simona turned things around in the second half of the season, winning six titles, among them the Tournament of Champions in Sofia. 

Tennis Moods favourites Flavia Pennetta and Andrea Petkovic fought their way back to the top, while Bartoli and former world No. 5, Russian Anna Chakvedatze, sadly said good-bye to the sport sooner than expected. The queen of hearts, Martina Hingis, stirred waters in August announcing she'll be making a comeback in doubles alongside Slovak Daniela Hantuchova. Poor results quickly made her reconsider her plans and the Swiss Miss is still undecided whether she'll continue playing in 2014.

The young guns have stepped up their game this year with Canadian sweetheart Eugenie Bouchard, Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic, German Annika Beck, Croat Donna Vekic, as well as Americans Madison Keys, Victoria Duval, and Taylor Townsend showing their enormous potential. 

Tennis Moods looks back at all these incredible stories and rewards these amazing champions. Congrats to all the 2013 WTA Moods Awards winners!

The 'World's Greatest' Award (for the best player of the year)

Winner: Serena Williams

Runner-up: Victoria Azarenka

The 'She Found Love' Award (for the most improved player of the year)

Winner: Simona Halep

Runner-up: Sloane Stephens

The 'Homecoming' Award (for the most spectacular comeback)

Winner: Flavia Pennetta

Runner-up: Andrea Petkovic

The 'She Works Hard for the Money' Award (for the most hard-working player)

Winner: Agnieszka Radwanska

Runner-up: Sara Errani

The 'Here I Am' Award (for the newcomer of the year)

Winner: Sloane Stephens

Runner-up: Shuai Zhang

The 'We Are Young' Award (for the most promising youngster on the tour)

Winner: Eugenie Bouchard

Runner-up: Kristina Mladenovic

The 'Talk That Talk' Award (for the wittiest player on the tour)

Winner: Victoria Azarenka

Runner-up: Martina Hingis

The 'Broken Hearted Girl' Award (for the most disappointing player of the year)

Winner: Julia Goerges

Runner-up: Heather Watson

The 'Queen of Hearts' Award (for the Tennis Moods' favourite)

Winner: Victoria Azarenka

Runner-up: Marion Bartoli

The 'When We Collide' Award (for the most spectacular doubles team)

Winner: Daniela Hantuchova & Martina Hingis

Runner-up: Ashleigh Barty & Casey Dellacqua

The 'I Feel Pretty' Award (for the the most beautiful player)

Winner: Eugenie Bouchard

Runner-up: Maria Kirilenko

The 'Fashion of Her Love' Award (for the best dressed player throughout the year)

Winner: Serena Williams

Runner-up: Sloane Stephens

The 'Paparazzi' Award (for the most memorable outfit of the season)

Winner: Venus Williams (US Open outfit)

Runner-up: Serena Williams (US Open outfit)

The 'I Will Always Love You' Award (for the player who retired this year and will be missed the most)

Winner: Marion Bartoli

Runner-up: Anna Chakvetadze

The 'Imagine' Award (for the most emotional story of the year)

Winner: Victoria Azarenka winning Australian Open

Runner-up: Marion Bartoli winning Wimbledon

The 'I Dreamed a Dream' Award (for the accomplishment of a dream)

Winner: Marion Bartoli winning Wimbledon

Runner-up: Kristen Flipkens reaching Wimbledon semifinal

The 'Hero' Award (for the braveheart performance of the year)

Winner: Sabine Lisicki at Wimbledon

Runner-up: Victoria Azarenka at the Australian Open

The 'Clash of Titans' Award (for the most exhilarating duel of the year)

Winner: Victoria Azarenka & Serena Williams

Runner-up: Victoria Azarenka & Maria Sharapova

SEE ALSO: The 2011 WTA Moods Awards and The 2012 WTA Moods Awards

photos: GETTY IMAGES