Reviewing what ESPN got wrong in the best WTA players ranking

Part of ESPN's job was easy. When they ranked the top WTA players of the 21st century, anybody other than Serena Williams would have been a huge mistake and made the ranking moot. Williams won 23 Grand Slam titles and dominated the top of the rankings. No other player was close.

The four-letter network ranked Venus Williams, Serena's sister, at number two. The argument against making her number two is that she dominated - she won five Wimbledons, after all - when there was a void in greatness in the WTA. Once Serena came of age, Venus's success diminished. Does that mean Venus was excellent or simply benefitting from her then-current situation?

The issues for ESPN truly begin at number three. They have Maria Sharapova listed there. The Russian was a fantastic player and won five majors. Nothing to sneeze at. Should she be in the top five WTA players of the 21st century? Sure. Not not number three.

Where ESPN went wrong with best WTA players of the 21st century

Sharapova might have accomplished more than Iga Swiatek but only because Swiatek is still only 23 years old and has already won as many Grand Slams as Sharapova. Let's just go ahead and assume she is going to have a better career and is a better player than Sharapova. Heck, she likely already is. She also has spent more weeks at No. 1 than Sharapova ever did. ESPN had Swiatek at number five.

Number ten is also a real issue. No offense to Amelie Mauresmo who ESPN ranks at 10. She won two Grand Slams and 25 titles. Not shabby. But other players are more worthy.

Aryna Sabalenka has been long enough to get some respect. She also has won two Grand Slams and reached WTA No. 1. She has won just 14 tour titles, but the 26-year-old has a lot of tennis ahead of her. Plus, Mauresmo spent a total of 39 weeks atop the rankings; Sabalenka held that ranking for eight weeks (so far).

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