Serena Williams of the U.S. acknowledges the crowd after winning the women's singles match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic
Serena Williams of the U.S. acknowledges the crowd after winning the women's singles match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing October 2, 2014. Reuters

The contenders for the WTA Player of the Year Award have been revealed. It is the first time that fans get to vote for their favourite player to win the award. The fans' votes will be counted as media votes. The winner will be announced on Nov. 21.

Among the finalists for the WTA Player of the Year award are Grand Slam champions Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova and recently retired Li Na. The official site of WTA Tennis made the announced earlier this week.

Williams headlines the nominees for the third year in a row. The 33-year-old American, who won her 18th Grand Slam trophy at the US Open, won the award in 2012 and 2013. She may have been unsuccessful at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, but Williams finished her season on a high-note. She ended her season, claiming the title, at the WTA Finals in Singapore. Williams concluded her season ranked as World No. 1.

Sharapova, who ranks third in the world, is also in line for the WTA Player of the Year Award. In addition, the Russian superstar is also nominated for the WTA Comeback Player of the Year Award. Sharapova won her fifth Grand Slam at the French Open, a total of four titles this season.

Kvitova is another contender for the award. The Czech won three titles this season, including her second Grand Slam trophy at Wimbledon. Kvitova also won titles in New Haven and Wuhan. She has also been a key factor who helped the Czechs win another Fed Cup title.

Although Li Na has already retired from the sport in September, she is also a nominee for the award. Li won the Australian Open trophy in January. It was her second major title in Australia.

The shortlist also includes Ana Ivanovic, who finished her season as World No. 5 and claimed four titles in Auckland, Monterrey, Birmingham and Tokyo, and Simona Halep, who finished as a runner up at the WTA Finals. Past winners of the award include Williams (2002, 2008-2009, 2012-2013), Kvitova (2011), Kim Clijsters (2005, 2010), Justine Henn (2007), Amelia Mauresmo (2006), and Sharapova (2004). To vote, visit WTA Tennis.

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