Fairways and Forehands 2014 Top 25 WTA and LPGA Year In Review: #10 Flavia Pennetta and Chella Choi

Flavia Pennetta (click to enlarge)

Like 2013, this year I will do a countdown of the top money list leaders from both the WTA and LPGA. Last year I did the top 30, but this year I will do the top 25. Note that as of this post, the retired Li Na has been removed from the WTA website money list rankings, but I will include her here. Thus, some WTA players will be off by one position on my list compared to the WTA website list. Also, Hyo Joo Kim is not on my LPGA list due to not being a member this year. I’m certain she will be on the list in the future. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed are combined for this top 25. Number 10 on this money list for each tour are Flavia Pennetta (WTA) and Chella Choi (LPGA).

FLAVIA PENNETTA (Italy)

2014 Official WTA Prize Money: $2,388,245

Best Results: Singles WINNER (1) BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells; RUNNER-UP (1) Tournament of Champions; QF (3) Australian Open, US Open, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships; Doubles (all with partner Martina Hingis) WINNER (2) Wuhan Open, Kremlin Cup; RUNNER-UP (2) US Open, Aegon International

Social Media: Twitter

Flavia Pennetta made 2014 a season to remember. I have to admit, I was surprised, but pleasantly so, to see her walk away with the singles title at the BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells), easily beating Agnieszka Radwanska 2 and 1 in the final. It was Flavia’s first Premier Mandatory level title among her 10 career singles victories. She would also go on to finish runner-up at the season ending Sofia Tournament of Champions. Add in three high quality quarterfinal runs at the US Open, Australian Open and Dubai…well, it was some kind of wondeful season in singles for Pennetta. But for all of her sterling success in singles, she shone even more brightly in doubles. Teaming up with all-time great Martina Hingis, the duo reached four finals, winning Wuhan and Moscow while finishing runner-up at the US Open and Eastbourne. I hope the Pennetta/Hingis tandem is here for the long run. Flavia has always been a standout doubles player, particularly when she was paired with Gisela Dulko. Everybody knows what Hingis brings to the table even now. Martina seemed to go through a couple of partners in her comeback searching for the right fit. In Flavia Pennetta, I think she’s found it.

Chella Choi with 2014 William and Mousie Powell Award (click to enlarge)

CHELLA CHOI (South Korea)

2014 Official LPGA Prize Money: $1,048,932

Best Results: 2nd ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, T3 Portland Classic, T3 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, 4th Kia Classic, T4 Mizuno Classic, T5 Blue Bay LPGA, T5 LPGA Lotte Championship, T6 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, T8 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic, 10th Reignwood LPGA Classic

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter

One of my biggest hopes for the 2015 season is a win for Chella Choi. She is just getting better and better every year. Chella is definitely giving herself chances. Of her 10 top 10s this year, 7 of them were top 5s. After finishing 20th and 17th the past two years on the money list, she vaulted all the way up to 10th for the 2014 season. She came oh so close to forcing a playoff in Australia (where she shot a career best 10-under 62 in the third round) but missed a birdie putt on the final hole to cede victory to Karrie Webb. Despite that setback, with the way Chella is moving up the money list each year I am positive she will cash in on her first LPGA victory sooner rather than later. In addition to her excellence on the course in 2014, Chella was presented the William and Mousie Powell Award. Voted on by fellow tour members, the award goes to a player “whose behavior and deeds best exemplifies the spirit, ideals and values of the LPGA.”