Women's Tennis Seeing Longer Careers

MELBOURNE, Jan. 18, 2005 — -- At 17, Jessica Kirkland of Miami is the same age as Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova of Russia -- but light years younger in the ways of international tennis.

"Nerve-wracking," said Kirkland, the runner-up for the 2004 U.S. Open Junior title. She was describing her appearance here in the opening round of the 2005 Australian Open, where she faced another Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, 19, the defending U.S. Open champion.

The 6-1, 6-1 score tells just how completely Kuznetsova picked apart her American opponent's game.

"I was nervous," explained Kirkland, who ranks 239th in the world. Kuznetsova is fifth. "I know she's very aggressive."

As a result, Kirkland said, "I decided to go for my shots." Which led to lots of lost points early in the match.

Kuznetsova won eight of the first nine points (almost all on unforced errors), hit 22 winners to Kirkland's 2, and swept the Dayton, Ohio, native off the court in 43 minutes.

One of 15 Americans competing here, Kirkland led her opponent in only one category: She hit fewer unforced errors (14) than Kuznetsova (17), yet it hardly mattered.

Kirkland's best moments came at 0-4 in the first set. She won her serve on four straight points. Her best shot was a running forehand she drilled up the center of the court to catch Kuznetsova flatfooted at the net.

"Yeah, that felt good," Kirkland said.

For a young woman setting out in the world of tennis, there was a lot to feel good about.

By gaining entry into the main draw as a qualifier, Kirkland earned $18,100, boosting her career total above $50,000. Soon, she'll head to Thailand and India, where she's been invited to compete in smaller tournaments. (Kirkland is free to travel because she is being schooled privately at home and on the road).

Her arrival at the higher levels of competitive tennis comes at an auspicious time, according to the Women's Tennis Association, which governs the professional sport.

A 10-year WTA study shows young players are getting better training and enjoying longer careers.

Among players who began competing under the age of 18, "Premature retirements [players who retired before age 22] have dropped from 7 percent to less than 1 percent," the study reported. As a result, the WTA says, "playing careers are lasting 24 percent longer."

Difficult as her debut proved, Kirkland seemed unfazed by her crushing defeat.

"My goal is to get to 150 [in the world] or higher," she said shyly to a small group of reporters.

Asked about the Russians, she offered no comparison or explanation for their success. "They're just really good," she said.