WTA 2011 preview: What are the top 5 stories in women's tennis in 2011?

The Australian Open has come and gone and that means the tennis season has officially began. The WTA tour has been very erratic and difficult to watch in the last year. There continues to be many questions marks in the 2011 season so it was difficult coming up with just five topics for the upcoming WTA season.

Who wants #1?
Remember the landscape of women's tennis at this time last year. Serena Williams was number one in the world, Kim Clijsters had made a comeback and was breathing down her neck. Jelena Jankovic and Elena Dementieva were trying to win their first title, Caroline Wozniacki and Viktoria Azarenka were on the cusp of the top five and everyone was looking forward to Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin returning to greatness.

Instead Serena was injured, Sharapova and Henin never looked great for long stretches. Dementieva retired, Jankovic continued to fail to win a Grand Slam. The one bright spot was the delightful Wozniacki catapulting to number one but most people feel she won it by default. The number one ranking in the world is pretty much up for grabs and four or five players could hold the top spot throughout the course of the year.

First Timer?
The player that can break through with their first career Grand Slam will go a long way in determining what player holds on to the number one ranking. At one point in time everyone thought Azarenka was the rising star and Wozniacki would struggle but the two players have actually had the opposite results. That being said Wozniacki has been unable to prove herself and Azarenka looked really good during the second half of last year. I would not be surprised if Azarenka wins a Grand Slam title before Wozniacki, Jankovic and the others seeking their first Grand Slam.

Returns
We're still awaiting Sharapova and Henin to return to dominance and women's tennis needs them desperately. Sharapova looked like she was playing her best tennis at the US Open but then Wozniacki dispatched of her easily (something Wozniacki usually doesn't do against the top players). Sharapova has been given plenty of time to return and you have to start to wonder if she will ever be the player she was. Then of course there is Serena Williams. At some point Serena will be back and she'll be a favorite for the Grand Slams but unfortunately she provides little excitement at any of the non-Grand Slam tournaments.

Breakout
Jarmila Groth is one of the players to watch in 2011. In 2010 Groth moved up 70 spots in the rankings and ended the year at number 42. Don't be surprised if Groth is a top 20 player by the end of 2011. Another player that could be headed for the Top 20 is Julia Goerges. Goerges has been climbing up the rankings for some time and may have finally caught fans' attentions with a close three set match against Maria Sharapova.

Williams Sisters
Everyone assumes this will be another year of Williams sisters but really how much longer do we expect them to be around? Venus is now thirty and Serena is in her late 20's. Venus had her worst results at the Grand Slam tournaments in 2010 and Serena couldn't shake injuries. Is there possibly a non-Williams WTA tour on the horizon?

Sources:
Matt Windley, Sharapova's a gracious winner, The Daily Telegraph
Christopher Clarey, Venus Williams Withdraws After Injury, NYTimes.com