As the US Open tennis tournament winds down, we take a look at the online strategies from the four remaning women’s players: Caroline Wozniacki, Vera Zvonareva, Kim Clijsters, and Venus Williams.

Our analysis included searching for each players official sites and social media channels (Twitter/Facebook). All of the players have an official site and some presence through social media, so it really came down to intangibles and execution in ranking them. Based on our review the results would play out like this if the Semis were battled online: Zvonareva over Wozniacki & Clijsters over Williams, with Clijsters winning out in the end over Zvonareva.

Overall we didn’t find much in the way of unique design from the four sites. All had basic template sites with no uniquely designed sections. Venus had the most to talk about in the way of content with her popularity, career success, and fashion line, so we really expected a lot more out of her site. Clijsters and Zvonareva won out in the Semis based on their depth & display of content. On the social media front, we’d give the edge to Wozniacki, as she also has a YouTube account, but really all four could do a better job of integrating feeds into the sites, and including universal links to their channels. Another area that was less than impressive was the integration of sponsors. Only Venus’ site had a sponsor ad, and none of the sites included a branded-content section from a sponsor.

Caroline Wozniacki
Official Site: www.CarolineWozniacki.dk
Design:
Straight-forward and templated – would have included an updated full-body shot of her in the US Open outfit in the overall design.

Content:
Does not go past the basics. Little odd to see “Management” listed first in the About section, would prefer to see a profile backgrounder on Caroline. News is setup as a blog, little confusing sometimes you see articles posted, others seem to be written by a web team member – also first two articles from Sept 9th are out of order. Includes language options. Sponsor integration is only through the section logo/links – gives Rolex play with clock timer. Schedule does not include any results, earnings, ranking information – Results scroll on the HP is too small & font hard to read. Prefer to see the Twitter feed on the HP include more than one tweet at a time, also it doesn’t allow you to click to her account?? Secondary navigation should include links to her SM channels at all times.

Social Media:
Does a good job here. She has an active Twitter account – http://twitter.com/carowozniacki (should have a custom background, and integrate a sponsor). Also has an active Facebook account – http://www.facebook.com/CarolineWozniacki & and a YouTube Channel – http://www.youtube.com/WozniackiTV

Vera Zvonareva
Official Site: www.Zvonareva.ru
Design:
Straight-forward and templated.

Content:
Includes all the basic info, but includes detailed information on events, rankings, stats. Also includes a diary and detailed bio. Goes a step further by including several pages related her charitable causes, and how to receive an autograph. No links to any social media channels. Includes language options. Would get rid of the links to other player sites (some are outdated, and why give them exposure?). Sponsor integration is only through the section logo/links.

Social Media:
Appears to have an official Twitter – http://twitter.com/verazvonareva & Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/VeraZvonareva – so a bad move by not integrating feeds on the main official site, and links viewable at all times in the secondary navigation.

Kim Clijsters
Official Site: www.KimClijsters.be
Design:
Straight-forward and templated.

Content:
Does a good job on depth of content while including all the basics. Like that there is a lot of information presented up front, but would prefer a little better design to it. Includes sponsors, social media feeds, and updated news right off the bat. Lots of good information on Kim and her family. Missing information on results (does have detailed career info), earnings, rankings. Includes a Forum for fan posts. Includes language options. Sponsor integration is only through the section logo/links.

Social Media:
Has active accounts on Twitter – http://twitter.com/Clijsterskim/ & Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kim-Clijsters-Official/138074560049/. Includes feeds on the HP of the main site, and links in the News & FanZone sections, but should have links viewable at all times in the secondary navigation.

Venus Williams
Official Site: www.VenusWilliams.com
Design:
Straight-forward and templated.

Content:
Photo Blog and Video Gallery is a year outdated. Schedule does not include results, earnings – also no rankings. Along same lines does include bio info, but would expect a much more detailed area related to all her career accomplishments. She does have an updated Blog – little odd it also acts as the main News section feed. Includes a Fan Club option, and also highlights her Eleven Collection. One point on the Eleven content, there was no label link or info on where to buy/prices. Would have given this a much more unique presence in the site. Includes sponsor logo/links, but also a callout for Nabisco promo with Serena – Dietlikeadiva.com. Includes some good info related to her upcoming book. Includes the “Pro Tennis Internet Network” top header, which we would recommend removing unless they pay for it – why drive traffic to other player’s websites? Does include a Twitter link on the HP, but no feed, and should include that link in the universal secondary navigation.

Social Media:
Has an active Twitter – http://twitter.com/venuseswilliams. Unable to confirm this is an official Facebook account, and there was no link from her official site: http://www.facebook.com/VenusWilliams – if not it should be because she can reach the 500K+ audience.