After a frustrating year, that included back to back losses to 19 year old Dominika Cibulkova in September, Amelie Mauresmo, the former Number 1 player in the world is set to make a comeback. She has been plagued by nagging injuries and a severe case of low esteem. She has pulled out of the Fed Cup and parted company with longtime friends Loic Courteau and Michel Franco, in an attempt to rekindle the competitive flame within her that has come close to being extinguished. She will play in the Kremlin Cup in Moscow next week(October 4^th.) where all the top players will be participating, then 2 more tournaments in Europe before the season ends.

The winner of two Grand Slam events, The Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2004, Amelie rose to the number one ranked player in the world and has earned close to $14 million in prize money. She has won a total of 24 Singles titles. Her style of play is unique among today’s women players, and she is sorely missed around the courts. She plays with a grace and poise that is reminiscent of her idol Stefan Edberg, and when she is fit and executing her shots with precision she is tough to beat. Her serve and volley format presents a challenge to the new crop of young players who have never experienced a player with this style.

Unfortunately for Amelie if her game is not quite up to par she leaves herself wide open to passing shots from the opposing base line. Maybe she will get her game together to make a run at another Grand Slam title in January at the 2009 Australian Open.

Amelie is something of a wine connoisseur and is proud of her extensive red wine collection. She was recently asked what she planned to do when she finally hangs up her tennis shoes, she answered, “I plan to open a Sports Bar in Paris. I would like to be a bartender just like Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail, the problem is I would probably spill more than I poured in the glasses.” There is no end to Amelie’s interests, she admits to being addicted to surfing, driving fast sports cars, and hanging out with her friends. She hates to get up early in the morning and listening to long messages on her voice mail. She is involved with the Curie Cancer Institute, and helps underprivileged children to learn sports. For many years, when she was at the pinnacle of her career, hers was a household name in France, the only lady player from France to ever achieve the Number I ranking in the world, and although she may never regain that position she would like to have at least one more successful season.

If she does, I’ll be among the first to drink a toast to her at her new Sports Bar in Paris.