Sports have been always dominated by cricket in India and unfortunately it is gentlemen’s game so no ladies luck there.

As far as my memory goes Sania Mirza is the only girl making sensation in tennis. Prior to her Indian tennis has been more of men’s game overshadowed by Ramesh Krishnan et al in seventies who used to show up in Davis Cup and grand slam double matches and lately by Leander Paes, who got some success and Mahesh Bhupati who is quite often seen in doubles.

Sania was born in Mumbai in 1986 and got trained in Hyderabad. She was trained by her sports journalist father. She came to limelight after winning Wimbledon 2003 girl’s double title with Russian Alisa Kleybanova.

She went professional in 2003 and became the first and only Indian woman to reach the 4th round of a Grand Slam tournament in 2005 US Open.

” My mother took me to a coach, who initially refused to coach me because I was too small,” said Mirza. “After a month, he called my parents to say he had never seen a player that good at such a young age.” [From WTATour interview]

Her career peak was In 2005 when she reached the 3rd round of Australian Open where she lost to Serena Williams.

She also received India’s highest honour in sports, Arjun Award, in 2004.

Sania is pretty, tall (5′ 7″) and has a huge fan base in Indian and abroad among desi community. Lately she has been linked with Bollywood which was bound to happen and rumours are that she is also planning to make her appearance in bollywood movies.

Sania has just turned 23 on 15th November and her tennis career seems to decline however she can be successful in bollywood provided she is willing to learn how to do ek do teen dance….

Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki

This strikingly gorgeous, leggy blond beauty and photogenic dream-come-true is originally from Denmark and now resides in Mont Carlo and has plenty of game! The Junior Wimbledon Champ in 2006, Caroline is ready to emerge as one of the game’s premier attractions.

Caroline actually won $686,000 and three tour events in 2008 and is ready for the big time. This young filly is bound to amass an instant fan base.

Alize Cornet

Alize Cornet

The French have an up and coming star in Alize Cornet. The 18 year young, speed burner won one tour event in 2008, is currently ranked 16th on the tour and won more than $550,000.

She likes pastels but looks good in everything. Her frisky play is well suited for bigger venues.

With continued hard work, Alize will pull some surprises in 2008.

Daniela Hantuchova

Daniela Hantuchova

Slovakia’s most photogenic tennis player is 25 years old and promises to get her game going in 2009. With almost $6 million in career earnings, she had something to gain.

The stunning blonde was the center of attention in a 2008 Hola photo shoot and was featured in Men’s Health Magazine as everyman’s dream. If Daniela can add some zip to her forehand, we might get to see more of her next year!

Gisela Dulko

Gisela Dulko

Giesla has had better years than in 2008 when she won just $290,000 and increased her career earnings to $1.7 million. While her Grand Prix win was impressive, her fans keep waiting for the 23 year old to explode onto the forefront of women’s singles. With her stylish, svelte appearance, the promoters are waiting in the wings.

Gisela needs to stay out of the photo shoots and get back on the courts in 2009. The sultry blonde bombshell gains new fans everywhere she goes!

Bethanie Mattek

Bethanie Mattek

American Bethanie Mattek has it and likes to strut her stuff. Drawing some official criticism for a very low cut gold ensemble at the U.S. Open, her fans were not complaining.

The 23 year old Bethanie won more than $350,000 in 2008 and hopes to increase her title count and expand her wardrobe to even more outrageous levels.

Her fans are begging for more!

Aravane Rezai

Aravane Rezai

At 21 years old, Aravane has yet to win on the tour. 2009 looks to be her breakthrough year as she strengthened her ground strokes as the year went on. While winning $221,000 in 2008, Aravane grew accustomed to the travel and new venues on the women’s tour.

As the 77th ranked tour player, the exuberant French player expects to move up in 2009.

Sabine Lisicki

Sabine Lisicki

19 year old Nick Bollettieri Academy student Sabine Lisicki could not gain a crown to cover her trademark blonde pony tail, but she came close in 2008.

While winning more than $200,000, the German native learned the ropes and went back for more training. A determined competitor, Sabine vows to make a move up the ladder next year.

Olga Govortsova

Olga Govortsova

Belarus Native 6’ 148 pound Olga Govortsova has dominating potential in her 20 year old frame. Her 2008 earnings topped $300,000 and she racked up her first women’s double title. As the 49th ranked world player, Olga’s future is clearly ahead of her.

She will return to the tour a little less star struck and a lot more savvy in 2009. Watch out!

Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea

Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea

With just 18 years behind her and having jumped 71 places in the world rankings, Romanian Sorana-Mihaela is ready to storm the field in 2009.

Winner of 1 singles title and 3 doubles titles last year, this dark-haired beauty has been playing since she was 4 and knows her game.

Unlimited potential and a colorful wardrobe are pretty pleasing to the eye and well suited for her ambitious and happy lifestyle.

Marina Erakovic

Marina Erakovic

Originally from Croatia and now residing inn New Zealand, Marina is anxiously awaiting the 2009 Australian Open. At 5’ 9” and 143 pounds, this 20 years old beauty claimed 2 single events and 5 doubles events in 2008.

Her standards are high for the upcoming season but Marina remains committed to improving her ranking as the 60th best tennis player in the world. Go for it, Marina!