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Jelena Jankovic will finish the year in number one spot in the womens tennis rankings. This is dispite not having won either a Grand Slam tournament, a high ranking tournament, or beaten other top ranked players on a regular basis.

So how did she get to number 1? Pure weight of numbers. She has played an astonishing 80 games in 10 months. That is two games per week non stop for 42 weeks. Her win loss record is fairly good at 63-17 however even that says she only win 75% of the time.

On the men’s side things are a little different. Nadal has played around 60 games with a win loss of 55-5 and an 8-2 record over former number one Roger Federer. Jankovic’s record against other top players is at best 50%.

This is not to say that Jancovic is an unworthy number one, or that she has worked the system to become number one, luck has fallen her way. Since becoming number one her tennis has improved and it may spur her hunger to win more majors. Then again, becoming number one without winning a major may send the message that she doesn’t need to.

What do you think. Are the WTA rankings a true reflection of the talent in women’s tennis or is it just an aberration that will change again in the new year? Share your views at SportsViews where your voice on all things sporting is welcome.

LA Galaxy have voiced their position on the move by Beckham to AC Milan. Although the move would help with Beckham’s decision. They are concerned it will interrupt their preseason training.

I am surprised that Beckham was able to negotiate a loan to AC Milan without LA Galaxy knowing and approving,

It raises a question though. LA Galaxy have paid Beckham a large salary. He is not playing a lot of matches for them and when he does he is no longer the superstar. He is however still wanted by England, even if he is playing from the bench. Where do his loyalties really lay, England or LA Galaxy.

LA Galaxy are in a rebuilding phase and need every player they can muster. The pre-season is an important time of the year where a lot team building, health assessments and fitness issue scan be assessed.

Where should Beckhams loyalties sit, In Enlgand or with LA Galaxy?

These and many other issues can be discussed at SportsViews. It’s free to join and free to play.

Andy Murray and Giles Simon are very different people and very different tennis players. Murray is from Scotland while Simon is from France and of course their style of play is so different. Yet the road to the final of the Madrid Masters has almost paralleled each other.

They both beat the top seeds in their side of the draw to get the final. The scores show how matched they are. Andy Murray beat Roger Federer 3-6 6-3 6-5 whilst Giles Simon beat Rafael Nadal 3-6 7-6 7-6. The only real difference was the the second set.

The final of course was a different story. Andy Murray came through winning 6-4 7-6. To lose a final after only dropping service in one game seems a little tough, but then, it also goes to show how closely matched these two are.

I have a feeling that, whilst everyone is talking about Federer and Nadal, 2009 may well be the year for Murray and Simon. Murray has been knocking on the door all year and come close to winning major events several times. Now that he has a major victory behind him should give him the confidence go on. Simon is the most improved player in tennis at present. He will challenge for number one at some stage in his career.

If I had told you at the start of the Madrid Masters that both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would lose their semi-final matches you probably would have laughed at me. I am sure I could have made a fortune if I had found a bookie to take that bet on.

As it turns out my prediction came true and instead of a Federer - Nadal final, we have a Murray - Simon final and it should be a good one too. As much as I respect both Federer and Nadal, it’s great for tennis to have to hard workers make it to a final with real chances of winning.

Giles Simon is probably the most improved player on the circuit this year. He seems to learn from every match, not just the matches he loses, he also learns from the matches he wins. He is said to analyze his game, find out what worked well, what didn’t work and where he still needs to sharpen up.

Andy Murray has shown promise for several years. He has finally found the one ingredient needed to make it to the top - maturity. He has had the skills but not the patience or maturity required to win consistently - this year, particularly the second half has seen him far more patient and waiting for the right ball to put away.

This will be a great final to final - to up and coming future champions.

Roger Federer has played well during the Madrid Masters as has Rafael Nadal. It’s now semi-final time and they both meet tough opponents.

The toughest semi-final is without a doubt the first that has Federer playing against Andy Murray. Murray has also played well this tournament and could surprise all by beating both Federer and Nadal.

Nadal has already secured his number one position by winning in the quarter final. A win in the semi-final and final would be just icing on the cake. He comes up against Gilles Simon who has also played very well. He is the most improved male player on the circuit and to see him in the top five in 2009 will not surprise at all.

Simon will not make life easy for Nadal and if it goes beyond the first two sets then Simon has every chance of securing an upset win. Nadal is not comfortable with the high altitude conditions of Madrid. Have you got a tip for the Madrid Masters? If so, visit SportsViews tennis and share your thoughts with all of us.

Rafael Nadal has a real dislike for high altitudes and it is showing in the Madrid Masters. He dropped the first set in his second round match and didn’t look particularly comfortable in the first round. His third round match is against the 15th seed Gasquet. This match will really test out Nadal’s stamina.

Roger Federer on the other hand is looking quite sharp after a five week rest. He has had a fairly easy path so far although his third round match is against 16th seed Tsonga who has had a fairly good year. This may well be another tournament that Federer can take. Andy Murray has won his third round match quite convincingly and is looking strong.

With luck this tournament will wind up a Nadal - Federer final. Federer will probably have the upper hand especially if the match is a long one. Nadal does struggle with the thinner - it is strange he should elect to play when the conditions don’t suit him.

It is hard to chose between the two players. Federer has had a great career and he is not done with yet. Nadal is at the top of his game and looking to keep the number on mantel for as long as possible. Nadal was handed the trophy as world number one prior to the start of this tournament. Is he better than Federer? Time will tell. What are you thoughts?

Venus Williams may be losing her touch but Serena Williams is still playing strongly. These videos show her at her best - along with others. The women certainly know how to put on a good show when it comes to tennis.

Womens Semi Final #2 Us open 2008. Dinara Safina Vs Serena Williams

Maria Sharapova smashes a ball into Serenas body at the Australian Open. Williams ended up winning 6-1 6-2. Sharapova v Serena Williams

This years China Open - Svetlana Kuznetsova Vs Jelena Jankovic

This is a great tennis match - watch some of the highlights - Dementieva and Kutuzova

We can’t let the women have all the glory. Not when there is a match that will go down in history as a classic. Turn up your speakers to fully appreciate the greatest ever triumph. Nadal v Federer at Wimbledon

Some tennis matches are thrilling to watch, particularly in the womens draws. If you have video footage you would like to share then visit SportsViews.com where there are hundreds of videos waiting to be watched.

Venus Williams lost her first round match in the Kremlin Cup. It’s not the first time she has lost in an early round and probably wont be the last - unless she retired. It raises the question as to whether or not she has lost her touch and is now starting that slide into tennis oblivion.

One would like to think not. Some the matches that she has played against her sister have been real classics. Serena is still at the top of her game, albeit not as sharp as several years ago. For all sports people, the time eventually comes when you have to decide whether or not you still have the skill level, fitness, and perhaps desire to keep going.

Tennis and golf are two individual sports where the top line athletes can earn money just by appearing in an event. Winning is a bonus. In fact, with tennis, get to the quarter finals and you’re guaranteed a good payday. In golf, finish in the top 10 and there is a good pay check waiting.

Do sports people keep going beyond their best, simply for the pay check? If they do, is it fair on the paying public? If you have an opinion then come and share it with us at SportsViews.

Tennis in the States is losing its depth with few highly ranked players around at present. There are some top guns around including Venus and Serena Williams, however they can run hot and cold as does Andy Roddick who has probably put his best behind him.

Sam Querrey is one player touted as the next top hope, however he is still not setting the place on fire. Apart from Sam, there doesn’t appear to be any young talent coming through the ranks.

The U.S. Tennis Association should have a role in developing young players through to the elite level. Almost every other major tennis playing nation has a strong junior development program - except the US. I cannot think of any US player that has come through a USTA development program. Most have either started in another country and migrated to the States, or, like the Williams sisters, made their own way into the big wide tennis world.

If the USTA is to develop a strong youth squad then it will need good leadership, adequate funds, and a commitment to a 10 year plan. Otherwise, they are only playing at edges and they will continue to fail to develop top ranked players. We will have to wait for players to develop on their own.

Rafael Nadal ousted Roddick from the Davis Cup Match securing Spain’s place in the finals. While from all that’s been said, it was a great match, Nadal himself commented on the match that it was just about perferfect:

(source)“Today I played an almost perfect match and it is very, very exciting,” said Nadal after his win. “Today I played very well. I shocked myself with some of the winners I played, [it] was near perfect tennis.”

Nadal’s had a heck of a year - which, in terms of tennis, puts him making a lot of final matches and leads to a lot of praise from players, champions, critics and fans alike. Still there are going to be some folks that are going to be extremely critical of the statement; other people are going to be taking a closer look at the match and saying, “well, it was a heck of a game and - I think he’s right, it was about perfect.”

Thing is, while NFL fans, MLB fans, NBA fans ad other sports’ enthusiasts have their forums, a lot of tennis fans don’t make an effort to stand up and talk about their sport and the successes and failures in matches around the world - but don’t think that’s because there’s no space for them; there’s plenty of room for fans to talk about tennis at Sportsviews.com.