What a week for 31 year old veteran player Greta Arn! She snags the biggest win of her 15 year career over Maria Sharapova by a score of 62 75 in the quarters. To prove that this match was not a fluke, she then beats Julia Goerges (World #40) in the semis and defending champion Yanina Wickmayer (World #23) in the finals to capture the Auckland title. She will also achieve her highest ranking about 20 spots higher than her previous high of #81 back in 2002. This is not her first title however as she was the victor of Estoril back in 2007.
The win will give Greta new life in a career that she had to put on hold for financial reasons by not being able to play full-time for 3 years, but as she said a “little woice” inside her told to come back. Keep in mind that finances are still a concern as Greta was all alone this week since her coach Gianluca Palombini told her that New Zealand and Australia were too far and expensive for him to travel. Let’s see if that changes and we see Gianluca in Melbourne.
This incredible week for Arn might not have even happened as her ranking of #88 did not earn her direct entry to the main draw until there were a handful of last-minute withdrawals. She was planning on playing the qualifying rounds, but luck was on her side this week…in addition to all her hard work, big serving, and nice scrambling for a tall woman. She also saved 5 match points against Sofia Arvidsson in the second round to win 46 75 75 before cruising in straight sets over each of her next three higher-ranked and younger opponents.
A new career is born, Greta Arn is now Arnie the Terminator…
I love her joy in each of these videos, but I think my favorite part is when she said she never played Julia Goerges and yet she has played her twice before. But that was a different lifetime back in 2005 and 2007 when she was playing quallies of small ITF events. How can a journeywoman be expected to remember all of her opponents anyway? I also got a kick out of her description of her exchange with Maria after their match.
Good on you, Greta. And hasta la vista, baby!
Note: This really is a continuation of the 2010 story of the many late-blooming and comeback players. Take a look if you have not yet read about the amazing veteran stories of 2010. http://tenniscrackwhore.com/2010/11/17/year-of-the-veteran-many-fared-well-some-said-farewell/
Tennis Crack Whores, Unite! 
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