Fairways and Forehands 2013 Top 30 WTA and LPGA Year In Review: #30 Daniela Hantuchova and Jennifer Johnson

: Daniela Hantuchova, 2013 AEGON Classic winner (click to enlarge)

Instead of a year in review focusing on overall achievements, I thought this time I’d do a countdown of the top 30 money list leaders from the WTA and LPGA. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed are combined for this top 30. Number 30 on the money list from each tour are Daniela Hantuchova (WTA) and Jennifer Johnson (LPGA).

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA (Slovakia)

Singles: $683,981 Doubles: $114,264 Mixed: $9,491

2013 Official WTA Prizemoney: $807,736

Best Finish: AEGON Classic (Birmingham), winner

Official Website: DanielaHantuchova.com (click)

Facebook: Daniela Hantuchova (click)

I’m not certain what Daniela Hantuchova will be known for more in 2013, winning the AEGON Classic in Birmingham or pairing with Martina Hingis in her doubles comeback. I would highlight her AEGON win, as it was Daniela’s greatest success on the court in 2013. She did make a quarterfinal run at the US Open, but lost in the first round of the year’s first three Majors.

: with doubles partner, Martina Hingis (click to enlarge)

While Daniela did have a some impressive wins against Petra Kvitova, Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens and Laura Robson, she also had double digit first round exits. Although there are players like Serena Williams and Li Na who are defying the tennis trend of diminished play at age 30 and beyond, I have to wonder if time is catching up to Hantuchova, who turned 30 in April. I hope she can bounce back in 2014 with deeper runs at tournaments. Clearly, winning the event at Birmingham is a positive. As long as it’s not a distraction from her singles play, I’d also like to see more doubles play with Martina Hingis.

: Daniela for Porsche Sports Design (click to enlarge)

Off the court, a few of Daniela’s highlights include her involvement in promoting a women’s line from Porsche Design Sports:

…and throwing out the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game:

: Daniela Hantuchova (click to enlarge)

…and throwing out the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game:

click image to play video from MLB site

Jennifer Johnson, 2013 Mobile Bay LPGA Classic winner (click to enlarge)

JENNIFER JOHNSON (United States)

2013 Official LPGA Prizemoney: $472,778

Best Finish: Mobile Bay LPGA Classic, winner

Official Website: J3Golf.com (click)

Jennifer Johnson had an impressive 2013. The 22-year old won her first professional tournament, taking the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic by 1 shot over Jessica Korda and Pornanong Phatlum. She also finished T9 at both the Evian Championship and CME Group Titleholders.

With all the great play she exhibited this year, it was not being picked for the Solheim Cup that might have caused the biggest media stir. I had no problem with the Solheim captain’s picks, but I can understand how a lot of people could be a bit vexed at Jennifer’s exclusion from the team. But like many players before who didn’t get a captain’s pick and those to come in the future I would just say that if you want to be on the Solheim Cup team, make sure you play well enough to make it as an automatic selection, particularly the American team. That said, Jennifer would have been an excellent pick. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to see her represent her country in upcoming Solheim Cups.

SELECTED 2013 PICS OF JENNIFER JOHNSON and DANIELA HANTUCHOVA

ALL PICS CLICK TO ENLARGE

JENNIFER JOHNSON