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WIMBLEDON, DAY 13, WOMEN'S FINAL
Classy Williamses take it on the chin to lead sport
By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net
Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc. |
FROM WIMBLEDON – Serena and Venus Williams own 10 Grand Slam tittles between them but, even after Venus' valiant effort to get on court and stay on court with a abdominal tear during her 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 loss to Serena in the Wimbledon final Saturday, they still feel like part of the world is against them.
It's been tough road to the top of tennis world for the best sibling pair straight out Compton. But, it's been a Everest-like climb to being accepted in fans' eyes for the sweet-swinging sisters, who still feel like there is a significant population out there who believe that they really don't come to play when they face each other. But they will keep trying to prove their doubters wrong.
"It's just hard these days," Venus said. "Serena and I have taken a lot of slack, so I felt to take one for the team. It hasn't been easy. Serena and I, we've been blamed for a lot of things that never even happened. … I came out today because I thought the fans deserved a final."
Venus was alluding to – among another half-dozen things – the earthshaking boos that the sisters were subjected to after Venus pulled out of their semifinals at'001 Indian Wells and was likely referencing the rough treatment that Serena received at the hands of French fans last month in her tearful loss to Justine Henin-Hardenne at Roland Garros.
"In a way, it's too bad," Serena said. "I just hoped she hasn't injured her self more due to that fact. She really took one for the team. Just to fight the way she did. … I don't know if anyone would have begrudged her, but someone, somewhere, would have. Still the effort that she showed was great."
Venus not only took one for the Williams squad, but for her entire sport, because had she not played the final of tennis most storied tournament, interest in the women's game might have take a huge hit over the summer.
"It's not good for anybody," Serena said. "But being in the pain she was in has to be tough. There's no easy way to go, that's for sure. She had to play because there would be have been no final."
Venus has been around the sport now for nine years and Serena for eight. They are no longer just two cocky kids trying to set the world on fire, but maturing women who have taken a hard, long look at the tennis world and have seen that there is a large space in which they can lead the sport into the next decade.
SERENA IN THE LIMELIGHT
Fred Mullane/
Camerawork USA, Inc. |
Serena is a Hollywood favorite these days and next week will head to LA to act in a Showtime drama. The limelight lover has been accompanied at Wimbledon by Tampa Bay Bucs' wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, has just formed a fashion design company and owns one of the most stylistic games ever seen.
Sure, she's a pure powerhouse, but aspiring pros know how technically sound she is, see how determined she is, and see how she bounces back like no one else in the game. She's becoming a role model and, although she's only 21, she doesn't mind being the sport's leading lady, on court and off.
"I think some of the juniors look up to me and a couple told me they looked up to me here," she said. "They say they watch me and look up to me and that hasn't set in yet. I wanted to be like Monica Seles or Martina Navratilova. When I get older, I'll be able to see [why they like me] more. But I'm definitely comfortable coming into the role. It's everything and more."
So is Serena's game and ability to focus.
Even though Venus had to drag herself on court and you could feel her winces from 50 rows up, the elder Williams was often devastating from the ground in the first two sets of the final. She hammered Serena early, serving well in spots and played excellent defensive tennis until the third set. Venus' big chance came after she came back from a 1-5 deficit in the second set to 4-5, but Serena kept her head up and played coolly, while Venus tried to win too quickly. You have to do something when your baby sis has beaten you five times in a row and it feels like someone is sticking dagger through your belly when you go up to serve.
"I was just trying to put more pace on my balls, maybe to produce more errors," Venus said. "Put more spin on it, do something quick. I made some mistakes at 4-5, like three or four down-the-lines. I guess didn't hit them right."
VENUS DID NOT GO AWAY QUIETLY
After Serena broke Venus to open the third set and Venus was forced to take a long medical time out to treat her abdominal and groin injuries, there was little question who was going to win the contest. Venus played it out because she had to, but she could no longer lope lightly or keep the ball deep. She had the desire, just not enough physical strength.
"I wasn't gonna kill myself, 'Venus said. "I'm already in a hole. I'm not gonna dig the hole a lot deeper."
Serena has now won six Grand Slam titles, which puts her past Martina Hingis in the record books and within sight of Seles. Belgians Kim Clijsters and Henin-Hardenne are sure to give her hell on hard courts this summer, but the question on everyone's mind is whether Venus ever will again.
Serena said that Venus will beat her again someday and added that it's not as strange to play her older sister anymore, which should make for an improved theater the next time the sisters play. They've contested matches 12 times now, with Serena holding a 7-5 edge. Their last two Grand Slam finals have gone to three sets.
"It's become more natural and were really getting used to it," Serena said. "I think this rivalry between us will get a bit closer. It will be more interesting."
If Venus takes enough time off allows herself to heal, that's very possible. Whether the world like it or not, the Williams sisters are here to stay either at the top, or near the top of tennis world. Some folks might think they are arrogant or cold, but off court, they are pretty human, smiling one day, angry the next, laughing in the morning and sometimes crying at night.
Take all the shots at them that you'd like, just don't expect them to go away anytime soon. They are way too talented and motivated to do that.
"We just roll with it,' Venus said. "That's the way it is at the top. It's one thing after another. And sometimes it's almost funny."
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