It’s time to review our 2015 year-end ranking predictions and award the best predictor!

The WTA season-ending rankings have been finalized and the moment of truth has come. Let’s see who were the most accurate predictors of the 2015 year-end rankings in an article published back in December 2014, created by our loyal reader and contributor John Bolan. The best predictor will receive a WTA autograph of choice from John’s rich collection, while three more excellent predictors will receive autographs that we pick. Yes, John is generous, as always! 🙂 Let’s give the word to John now!

You fans are getting so much better at making your year-end Top 10 picks. Four readers picked 7 out of the Top 10 players: Calin, Daffasm, Jean and James. Once again we had to determine which of the four fans had picked their seven winners closest to the final order. In a very close count, Calin claimed the No.1 spot in our contest! Congratulations to Calin, Daffasm, Jean, James and all who entered the contest!

Special shout-out and thank-you to James. James won the 2012 contest and tied with the most picks for 2013, 2014 and once again in 2015. He is by far the best and most consistent picker in the history of this contest.

Here are the final standings compared to my predictions:

BOLAN’S DECEMBER 2014 PREDICTIONS
1. Serena Williams
2. Maria Sharapova
3. Simona Halep
4. Agnieszka Radwanska
5. Caroline Wozniacki
6. Victoria Azarenka
7. Petra Kvitova
8. Andrea Petkovic
9. Ana Ivanovic
10. Jelena Jankovic

ACTUAL 2015 YEAR-END TOP 10 RANKING
1. Serena Williams
2. Simona Halep
3. Garbine Muguruza
4. Maria Sharapova
5. Agnieszka Radwanska
6. Petra Kvitova
7. Venus Williams
8. Flavia Pennetta
9. Lucie Safarova
10. Angelique Kerber

Five out of ten correct is my worst year. Fans using the comment section to submit their own picks did as well and mostly better than I did. Back in December 2014, it seemed the Top 16 players of 2014, plus Azarenka and Muguruza, could be considered for inclusion in the Top 10 picks for 2015. Azarenka was injured, but had been a number one player. Muguruza was the best young player of 2014. From these 18 players, I chose my Top 10 players for 2015. Unfortunately, my final choices were not very good. I completely missed considering Venus Williams. No one, including me, chose Flavia Pennetta as a Top 10 player, although she was ranked 12 for 2014 and has been a fan favorite for years. Only five of you picked Venus Williams and only another five chose Lucie Safarova.

What happened in 2015?

1. Serena has been number 1 for the third year in a row.
2. Halep did better than ever building on her great 2014 season.
3. Muguruza is no longer a rising star. She has risen all the way to #3.
4. Sharapova missed 4 months and still finished 4th.
5. Radwanska was the WTA Finals champion and came on strong in Asia.
6. Kvitova dropped two ranks, but still is very good.
7. Venus played great in the fall despite age and illness.
8. Pennetta had the Cinderella story of the year – US Open, FF and done.
9. Safarova stepped up her game we all knew she had finishing ninth.
10. Kerber played consistently good tennis and retained her Top 10 ranking.

The three “ics” had disappointing years, especially Andrea Petkovic who may quit the tour. Azarenka improved her ranking up 9 to #22, while Wozniacki dropped 9 to #17.

A big thank you to all the fans who played this contest. We should all start thinking about what 2016 will bring! As for the competition winners, Marija will contact you shortly and we’ll organize the delivery of autographs.