Daniela Hantuchova started the year as the world number 38

2002
Hantuchová started the year as the world number 38, being known as a new up-and-coming player, in the Gold Coast where she lost to World No. 7 Justine Henin in the second round in a three setter 1–6, 6–0, 6–3. After reaching the last 16, after qualifying, in Sydney, Hantuchová went on to play at the Australian Open losing in the third round to the second seed Venus Williams 3–6, 6–0, 6–4.
After climbing the rankings to world number 26, having competed in Paris and Antwerp (reaching the round of 16 in both), she went into the prestigious Indian Wells event, defeating Justine Henin in the fourth round 6–3 6–3 and Martina Hingis in the final 6–3 6–4. She was the lowest ranked player of 26th (seeded 18th) to ever win the Tier I event.[11] In Miami and Amelia Island Hantuchová went on to lose surprisingly in the second rounds. She then played in Charleston only to be beaten by again in the second round by 1995 Australian Open and 2000 French Open Champion, Mary Pierce 6–3, 6–4, Pierce being ranked 232. Playing in Fed Cup she won one of her two singles rubbers against Switzerland. Also in the clay season Hantuchová reached the quarterfinals in Hamburg and Berlin losing to Martina Hingis respectively in straight sets and Anna Smashnova 1–6, 6–2, 6–3. Having entered the French Open as the 11th seed and World No. 13 and losing her previous match in Rome in the first round, she beat Cara Black (after losing to her in Miami earlier in the year) only to lose to former champion Monica Seles in straight sets in the fourth round.
Hantuchová progressed to the semi-finals of Eastbourne losing to Myskina again in aid as a warm-up tournament into Wimbledon, where she beat 7th ranked Jelena Dokić in the round of 16 only to be beaten by the eventual champion, Serena Williams as the 11th seed.
Daniela Hantuchová
Her US Open Series season was modest as she lost in the second rounds of San Diego and Los Angeles, after having first round byes in both tournaments, but as improvement in match fitness going into the US Open she reached the semi-finals of the Tier I event in Montreal, losing to Amélie Mauresmo, and New Haven, losing to World No. 2 Venus Williams. At the final Grand Slam of the year Hantuchová defeated 1997 French Open champion Iva Majoli in round three, World No. 6 Justine Henin, 6–1, 3–6, 7–6(4) in round four only to be beaten in her second consecutive Slam quarterfinal by Serena Williams (whom again went on to win the title).
Later on that year, Hantuchová also reached the quarterfinal in Leipzig and the final in Filderstadt, losing to Kim Clijsters 4–6 6–3 6–4, the only set Hantuchová has taken from Clijsters in their nine meetings. She then went on to reach the quarterfinals of Zurich, losing to eventual champion Patty Schnyder in three tight sets, the semi-finals in Linz and winning both of her singles rubbers in the Fed Cup final, winning Slovakia their only title to date against Spain. This impressive season amassed her enough points to compete at the prestigious annual Tour Championships losing in the first round to 17th ranked Magdelena Maleeva 6–2, 7–5. Hantuchová's record for the year 56–25 and was 6–10 against top 10 players; 6–2 in singles Fed Cup play (helping lead Slovakia to their first Fed Cup victory against Spain in the final); 10–6 on indoor carpet, 6–2 on grass, 11–7 on clay, and 29–10 on hardcourts.
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova