Age is the one opponent that continues to be undefeated in sports, as it catches up to all athletes at some point, robbing them of the speed, strength and agility they once had. The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour is no exception, as many wind down their careers by the time they hit their 30s, decades of grueling time on the court having taking its toll on their bodies and minds, not to mention the stress brought on by the constant travel.
There are some examples, though, of players in their 30s bucking the trend. Just this year, Kimiko Date Krumm became the second-oldest player in the Open Era to win a singles title on Tour with her victory in Seoul on September 27, at which time she was 38 years, 11 months and 30 days.
30+ Year-Olds Who Won Tour Singles Titles in 2009
(number in parentheses is age they were when they won event):
Kimiko Date Krumm (38): Seoul
Tamarine Tanasugarn (32): 's-Hertogenbosch
Notes: Billie Jean King is the all-time oldest Tour singles titlist, as she won Birmingham in 1983 at 39 years, 7 months and 23 days … The Seoul event had the greatest combined ages of finalists this year, with the then 38-year-old Date Krumm beating the 27-year-old Anabel Medina Garrigues … Amélie Mauresmo won Paris [Indoors] about five months before turning 30.
30+ Year-Olds in 2009 Year-End Top 100
(number in parentheses is player's age as of November 9, 2009):
No. 21 Amélie Mauresmo (30) (FRA)
No.43 Patty Schnyder (31) (SUI)
No.59 Tathiana Garbin (32) (ITA)
No.77 Jill Craybas (35) (USA)
No.82 Kimiko Date Krumm (39) (JPN)
Notes: Schnyder will turn 31 next month ... No country has more than one 30+ player in the Top 100 … Chris Evert is the all-time oldest No.1, having spent her last week atop the rankings in November 1985 at 31 years, 10 months, 7 days … King is the all-time oldest Top 10 player, having been 39 years, 10 months on October 9, 1983, when she was ranked No.8 … Current No.6 Venus Williams will turn 30 on June 17.
