LOS ANGELES -- Players in the season-ending WTA Championships, which start Wednesday:

No. 1 Serena Williams, United States

The defending champion is 53-4 this year, including Grand Slam victories at the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open. She hasn't played since winning her season-leading eighth title at the end of September. Williams then withdrew from three European indoor tournaments because of fatigue.

No. 2 Venus Williams, United States

Skipped last year's event in Germany because of a wrist injury. Lost to younger sister Serena in French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals. In July, Serena replaced Venus at No. 1 in the WTA Tour rankings, the first time she's been ahead of her older sister.

No. 3 Jennifer Capriati, United States

Won just one match since U.S. Open. On European indoor circuit, withdrew from Russian tournament, then lost in early rounds of three straight events.

No. 4 Justine Henin, Belgium

Won her last tournament, indoors in Austria. Rose to prominence in 2001, when she beat Jennifer Capriati to reach the Wimbledon final and was a semifinalist at the French Open. Current ranking is her highest.

No. 5 Kim Clijsters, Belgium

Won singles title at indoor tournament in Luxembourg last month, her third title of 2002.

No. 6 Monica Seles, United States

Returns to event after skipping last year in Germany, where she has refused to play since being stabbed in 1993 in Hamburg.

No. 7 Daniela Hantuchova, Slovakia

Helped Slovakia win first Fed Cup title, beating Spain. Lost to Kim Clijsters in Filderstadt final last month.

No. 8 Jelena Dokic, Yugoslavia

Won at least 50 matches for the second consecutive year. Chanda Rubin accused her of tanking their semifinal in Manhattan Beach, Calif., in August, when Rubin won in straight sets in 41 minutes. The crowd booed Dokic.

No. 9 Anastasia Myskina, Russia

Lost to Serena Williams in final at Leipzig, Germany, in September. Made major move in rankings this year, going from 58th to top 20 after having wrist surgery two years ago. She's reached four finals this year, winning once.

No. 10 Lindsay Davenport, United States

Finished 2001 at No. 1. Off the tour from January to July after right knee surgery. She's reached four finals in her eight tournaments since returning, but hasn't won a title. She comes to Los Angeles, a short ride from her home in Orange County, bothered by a right shin strain.

No. 11 Silvia Farina Elia, Italy

Has two WTA Tour titles to her credit after reaching top 20 for first time last year. In her 12th year on the circuit, the 30-year-old had her best Grand Slam results this year: third round at Australian and Wimbledon, fourth round at French and U.S. Open.

No. 12 Chanda Rubin, United States

The only player to have beaten Serena Williams in the last 4½ months, pulling the upset in the quarterfinals at Manhattan Beach, Calif., in August. She then beat Lindsay Davenport to win the title. Rubin had left knee surgery in January. At the U.S. Open, Rubin twice came within a point of serving for the match against Venus Williams.

No. 13 Patty Schnyder, Switzerland

Beat Lindsay Davenport last month for the first time in six tries to win her first tournament of the year.

No. 14 Anna Smashnova, Israel

Began the season ranked 88th, but moved up dramatically by winning four titles -- only the Williams sisters have won more this year. Beat Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and Daniela Hantuchova in 2002.

No. 15 Magdalena Maleeva, Bulgaria

Won a Tier I tournament in Moscow, where she defeated Amelie Mauresmo, Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport.

No. 16 Elena Dementieva, Russia

The 21-year-old Russian defeated Martina Hingis in straight sets last month in Filderstadt, Germany. She was a semifinalist in two tournaments and a quarterfinalist three times this year.