In the last three weeks it has been heartening to see the return to form of former top 10 player Alicia Molik. Having made the quarter-finals in successive weeks at Guangzhou and Japan, then most recently qualifying for the Kremlin Cup main draw (before losing to Elena Dementieva in three tough sets), her performances are a marked improvement on those earlier this year which have so far rendered her season a disappointment.

The story of Molik’s fall from the upper echelons of the women’s game is well-documented. A debilitating inner-ear infection affected her vision and balance, cutting short her barnstorming run deep into tournaments and up the rankings in early 2005. It is one of the most unfortunate stories in women’s tennis in recent years – apart from Monica Seles, it is hard to recall another player being struck down so completely while enjoying the best form of her career.

However, Molik’s arrival in the top 10 came a lot later than people predicted. She was touted as a future champion of the game, with many believing she possessed the shots and the temperament to challenge for Grand Slam titles and the No.1 ranking. She turned out to be a slow developer – on many occasions she was guilty of poor shot selection, wandering focus and a lack of fitness, all of which inhibited her progress.

‘It’s been a season marred by inconsistency. In between good showings at the Australian Open and Wimbledon were losses at smaller events to lowly-ranked players.’


Under the tutelage of Australian coach David Taylor, things came together in 2004. The superb serve and heavy ground strokes (particularly on the forehand side) began finding the mark on a consistent basis, and coupled with solid net play and a more relaxed on-court attitude, her results improved dramatically.

The purple patch began at a low-tier event in Stockholm, where she raced through the draw without losing a set. From here until she came down with the virus at Amelia Island in April 2005, Molik had established an impressive 39-9 win-loss record, scored wins over Mauresmo, Myskina, Dementieva, Sharapova and Venus Williams, won four titles, a bronze medal at the Athens Olympics and made the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Two more strong performances in Antwerp and Doha were the last time Molik would fare so well at a tournament before illness factored in.

Fast forward to 2007 – Molik is now back on tour and playing regularly. But her results this year have not reflected her claims of being fully fit and healthy once again.

It’s been a season marred by inconsistency. In between good showings at the Australian Open and Wimbledon were losses at smaller events to lowly-ranked players Olga Savchuk, Vania King, Melanie South, Lilia Osterloh and Akiko Morigami, quite often in the first round. These are players Molik would have swept aside easily in her prime.

It must be noted Molik’s doubles results have been strong in 2007, one such highlight being a win at the French Open with Mara Santangelo. She has said success on the doubles court gives her confidence in her singles game, but so far this doubles success has not translated to singles wins.

Thankfully, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. Three weeks of consistent tennis and some good wins under her belt can only be beneficial for Molik if she is to regain match toughness.

Even though as an Australian I may be biased, it can only be good for tennis to have her back playing well and at the top of the game. Articulate, modest, popular and approachable, Molik represents one of the brightest personalities on the WTA Tour.

Although she just lost in the Zurich qualifying event to Ai Sugiyama, strong showings at her remaining tournaments this year could get her back on track towards achieving the big results she looked set to achieve three years earlier. Good luck to her!

Can Alicia Molik recapture her form of old and once again challenge for the biggest prizes in tennis? Send us your thoughts.