 "What next for women's tennis?")
As the world of tennis still recovers from Maria Sharapova's shocking revelation of having tested positive for a banned substance, it is important to assess where this leaves the women's game. For one, we are still unaware about the quantum of punishment that will be handed out to Sharapova. A two-year ban would most certainly spell the end of her career, but a lighter punishment - one year or less - could see her make a comeback and challenge for major trophies again.
Sharapova's suspension comes into effect from today, irrespective of the duration of the ban. While the doping scandal casts a massive shadow over her image (three major sponsors have already dumped her), it must be remembered that she is, according to the latest Forbes list, the world's richest female athlete and the 26th richest woman in the world with earnings of $29.7 million - $23 million of which include endorsements. In contrast, Serena Williams, who has 21 Grand Slam singles titles (16 more than Sharapova) and has won 18 consecutive encounters against the Russian, had earnings of $24.6 million last year.
Sharapova also has a massive fan following when it comes to social media. Her official Facebook page has more than 15 million fans, which is more than both Rafael Nadal (14.6 million) and Roger Federer (14.4 million). The 28-year-old's presence on Twitter though is pale in comparison to Williams, Nadal, Federer and the two other giants of the men's game - Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
With Sharapova set to be sidelined with a lengthy ban, and Williams, who is 35, slowly nearing the end of her career, it is difficult to fathom how the women's game will cope with the loss of two of its biggest superstars. The situation though, isn't as bleak as it may seem. Data published by Women's Tennis Association (WTA) showed that in 2015, there was a 25 per cent increase in broadcast television viewers with 395 million compared to 316 million in 2014. In terms of digital viewership, there was a 44 per cent increase from 2014, with 44.6 million people watching women's tennis through online platforms compared to 31 million the previous year.
The same data indicated that among WTA-organised events, the China Open, held in the first week of October, was the highest in terms of broadcast viewers with 34.64 million. Ironically, it was a tournament in which both Sharapova and Williams did not participate.
Steve Simon, the CEO of WTA said,'The depth of the playing field in our sport is unprecedented right now, and the competition is outstanding. We have the platform to continue growth in the future."
Beyond Sharapova and Williams, the two players with the strongest presence in terms of endorsement deals and social media following are Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic. Despite both being ranked number one in the world at different stages, neither has ever attained world-beating status.
Wozniacki, who endorses a wide range of brands, has never won a Grand Slam title and is currently ranked 25th in the world. Ivanovic has one Grand Slam title to her name and has a world ranking of 18. Of late, both have been erratic at the majors, rarely progressing to the quarterfinals and beyond.
Eugenie Bouchard,22, however, can provide the glimmer of hope women's tennis so desperately needs. In mid-2015, she was named the most marketable athlete in the world by Sports Pro Media, ahead of Neymar, Jordan Spieth and Virat Kohli. However, her form on the court has been far from inspiring; her current ranking of 42 is a far cry from the top-five status she enjoyed just a year and a half ago.
Will losing Sharapova - at least in the short term - create a big void for women's tennis? It definitely will. But one hopes that like any other sport, tennis is much bigger than one individual.
Sharapova's suspension comes into effect from today, irrespective of the duration of the ban. While the doping scandal casts a massive shadow over her image (three major sponsors have already dumped her), it must be remembered that she is, according to the latest Forbes list, the world's richest female athlete and the 26th richest woman in the world with earnings of $29.7 million - $23 million of which include endorsements. In contrast, Serena Williams, who has 21 Grand Slam singles titles (16 more than Sharapova) and has won 18 consecutive encounters against the Russian, had earnings of $24.6 million last year.
Sharapova also has a massive fan following when it comes to social media. Her official Facebook page has more than 15 million fans, which is more than both Rafael Nadal (14.6 million) and Roger Federer (14.4 million). The 28-year-old's presence on Twitter though is pale in comparison to Williams, Nadal, Federer and the two other giants of the men's game - Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
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The same data indicated that among WTA-organised events, the China Open, held in the first week of October, was the highest in terms of broadcast viewers with 34.64 million. Ironically, it was a tournament in which both Sharapova and Williams did not participate.
Steve Simon, the CEO of WTA said,'The depth of the playing field in our sport is unprecedented right now, and the competition is outstanding. We have the platform to continue growth in the future."
Beyond Sharapova and Williams, the two players with the strongest presence in terms of endorsement deals and social media following are Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic. Despite both being ranked number one in the world at different stages, neither has ever attained world-beating status.
Wozniacki, who endorses a wide range of brands, has never won a Grand Slam title and is currently ranked 25th in the world. Ivanovic has one Grand Slam title to her name and has a world ranking of 18. Of late, both have been erratic at the majors, rarely progressing to the quarterfinals and beyond.
Eugenie Bouchard,22, however, can provide the glimmer of hope women's tennis so desperately needs. In mid-2015, she was named the most marketable athlete in the world by Sports Pro Media, ahead of Neymar, Jordan Spieth and Virat Kohli. However, her form on the court has been far from inspiring; her current ranking of 42 is a far cry from the top-five status she enjoyed just a year and a half ago.
Will losing Sharapova - at least in the short term - create a big void for women's tennis? It definitely will. But one hopes that like any other sport, tennis is much bigger than one individual.