ISTANBUL, Turkey - Agnieszka Radwanska draws constant comparisons to tennis geniuses of times gone by, and a narrative has been crafted around the premise that she is the smartest player in the WTA. Yet Radwanska rarely reveals much in conversations with media, speaking in careful clichés rather than providing anything substantial or eye-opening.

After a certain question today, though, Radwanska paused to think before her reply. 

The answer itself, when it came, was predictable on the surface.  “I think (my year) was good,” she mused. “You know, still top 5.  I'm very happy about that, especially that I really played consistent tennis pretty much whole year. Even did the quarterfinal of the Grand Slam on the clay.”

However, that moment of hesitation before her response spoke louder than any number of words. The questioner had asked Radwanska to assess her season as a whole after a straight-sets loss to Kerber that left her winless this week in Istanbul. But perhaps the implicit question asked of her was what exactly constitutes a good year.

After all, none of what Radwanska said was incorrect. For the most part, her year has indeed been solid. The stats bear that conclusion out:  three titles, 56 matches won, a Wimbledon semifinal for the second straight year, and two additional major quarterfinals. A player known for her consistency produced yet another consistent season.

But those who followed Radwanska closely in 2013 know better. Consider Wimbledon as an example.  The stage could not have been set more perfectly that fortnight for someone known for winning the matches that she should win while rarely troubling the best of the best. She stood on her favorite surface at a tournament where she had come within a set of claiming her first major title a year before. Only two players ranked outside the top 10, Sabine Lisicki and Marion Bartoli, stood between the heavily favored Radwanska and the major glory that had eluded her for so long.  

She could not convert the opportunity, failing to build on her breakthrough 2012 campaign.  That missed chance captured the so-near-yet-so-far status of this highly watchable, uncannily talented player. But there is always a silver lining. The off-season is here and the rest that she had so constantly craved is finally upon her.

“I am very happy that I can have a long break,” Radwanska asserted. “Then, come back on court, playing Hopman Cup already [December] 28th.  On the other hand it's two months, but then after three weeks it's almost December, and you really have to be getting ready for the Australian Open [..] well, yeah.  As I was saying, vacation, for me, it's always hot weather and beach, and, you know, just relax. I picked a spot already. I'm going to tell you about it afterwards.”

And, with the news that sister Ula throws a mammoth party every year in the off-season, it is no wonder that Radwanska is so ready to welcome some time away from tennis.