Wimbledon 2015: Writers Awards – Best Female Player

2. <p>The obvious pick here is Serena Williams.  Completing the Serena Slam is one thing and now she has a chance to become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win a calendar-year Grand Slam.  Her accomplishments are incredible.</p> <p>Yet, in order to be (admittedly only slightly) creative and surprising, I’ll give this award to <strong>Garbine Muguruza</strong> of Spain.  The 21-year old Spanish player did lose the final 6-4, 6-4 to Williams but she put forth a great effort in the tournament.</p> <p>She knocked off several seeded players including 5^th seed Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets, 10th seed and 2012 semifinalist Angelique Kerber in the round of 16, as well as 13th seed and 2012 finalist Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals.</p> <p>Already an accomplished doubles player with fellow Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro, Muguruza now has put herself firmly on the map of high-quality singles players, a rank she was starting to enter last year with her dismantling of Serena Williams at Roland Garros.</p> <p>While Williams was obviously the best overall player at the tournament, I’ll give this award to Muguruza because I was very impressed by her play.  I agree with Williams’ speech when she said that Muguruza would win the title “very, very soon.”</p>. Writer. Lob and Smash. CHRISTOPHER WEIS