Miami, FL-The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour announced today the 2009 winners of the annual Player Awards during a special ceremony at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Florida. Seven players were honored for their remarkable on and off court achievements during the 2009 season.

American Melanie Oudin picked up the Tour’s Newcomer of the Year Award. Oudin’s first Top 50 season was highlighted by a breakthrough performance at Wimbledon where, as a qualifier, she reached the fourth round, defeating former World No.1 Jelena Jankovic. At the US Open, Oudin reached the quarterfinals, defeating Elena Dementieva, Nadia Petrova and Maria Sharapova in successive three-set matches along the way. She rose to a career-high World No.42 during the week of September 28th.

The winners of the annual player awards for Player of the Year (Serena Williams), Doubles Team of the Year (Serena and Venus Williams), Most Improved Player of the Year (Yanina Wickmayer), Comeback Player of the Year (Kim Clijsters), and Newcomer of the Year (Melanie Oudin) are determined by the global tennis media, with Sony Ericsson WTA Tour players themselves selecting the winners of the Player Service and Sportsmanship Awards. The Fan Favorite Singles Player (Elena Dementieva) and Doubles Team (Serena and Venus Williams) are chosen by tennis fans voting on www.sonyericssonwtatour.com .