WIMBLEDON PREVIEW: PLAYER'S PERSPECTIVE

Venus fades behind Serena's star
Men attack Wimbly from the baseline

By David Wheaton
Special to tennisreporters.net

Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

It didn’t take a village to raise the Williams sisters, but it may take a psychologist to explain their living history.

Hillary book titles aside, perhaps a seer named Richard Williams could serve up some more clarity. After all, Daddy predicted the present years ago: The sisters would take over the tennis world, and Serena, the younger, would surpass Venus, the elder.

Apparently, prophecy fulfilled can sometimes be painful. Over the past year, Serena solidified her position atop the tennis world by beating her big sister in four straight Grand Slam finals. At the outset of the “Serena Slam” at '02 Roland Garros, a tipping point occurred even as vanquished Venus gleefully took pictures of her victorious sister on the winner’s stand. Previously, Venus had been able to handle her younger sister most of the time. Now, three more Grand Slam final defeats later (not to mention a drop to number four in the rankings), and Venus has discovered that being the photographer isn’t nearly as enjoyable as being the subject.

Something tells me big sis didn’t share her father’s vision regarding the future superiority of Serena. Growing up between Southern California and Florida, Venus was always the front-child for media attention—the chosen one. She hit the tour first and promptly made waves by advancing to the final of the '97 US Open. Surely the anointing was near.

Yet it was Serena who surprised everyone by winning the family’s first Grand Slam title at the '99 US Open while Venus watched from the stands underneath a hooded sweatshirt. This turn of events must have left Venus rechecking the script.

Venus rebounded well by winning all four of her Grand Slam titles in 2000 and 2001 when she repeated as champion at Wimbledon and the US Open. Since then, however, it’s been all Serena; she has now overtaken her sister in total majors won (five to four). While Serena is rolling, Venus is reeling and finding ever more time to spend on her interior design business (not a good sign).

WHY HAS VENUS DROPPED FROM THE SKIES?
All of which begs the question: Why has Serena’s star risen while Venus is out of orbit?
This, dear reader, is couch material. It would be simple to pass off the current dynamic as a case of sibling rivalry, but that would contradict the closeness of their relationship. This is not a struggle for sister supremacy, as evidenced by their history of ambivalent head-to-head matches with apathetic victory celebrations.

It may be as simple as this: Serena is a mentally and physically superior tennis player.

While being close in age (23 vs. 21) and in friendship, Venus and Serena are actually quite different – difficult sometimes to perceive as they are constantly lumped as the “Williams Sisters.” Venus is reflective, Serena assertive – a telling contrast in a sport where the winner of a match often loses 49% of the total points. In the heat of battle, there is seldom room for contemplation in a tennis player’s mind.

Venus is drained by the spotlight while Serena soaks in the public attention – another important distinction that will make the fishbowl life of a world-class athlete either feel overwhelming or energizing.

Psycho-babble aside, the sisters are unique (and unmatched) in their physical make-ups too. With her taller, leaner frame, Venus often struggles with nagging injuries. On the other hand, Serena’s build is more like … how shall I say it? … a fire hydrant. This causes some to ponder whether she could compete on the men’s tour. The better question might be: Could she rush for a thousand in the NFL?
Much more importantly, Serena has technically cleaner stroke production than Venus – especially on the forehand and serve – resulting in fewer errors under pressure. Venus’ second serve could please only a contortionist or a sled dog driver. Mush!

There you have it, logical reasoning as to why Serena is a mentally and physically superior tennis player. It all makes perfect sense. See? … Father knew best.

The ladies competition should progress much more to form. The top trio of Serena and Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne have distanced themselves of late. Two other Americans could challenge though: Venus and shot-maker Chanda Rubin.

I’m looking for Serena to repeat and raise the (unfortunately named) Venus Rosewater Dish again.

Men attack Wimbly from the baseline

Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc.

What doesn’t make perfect sense to me is the current direction of men’s grass court tennis. I wrote last year that backcourt play would become more prominent at Wimbledon due to the ever-increasing popularity of the “baseline basher” on tour.

What I didn’t realize is how utterly pervasive it would become. Did I hear the stat right? There was not one serve and volley point in last year’s Wimbledon final between Australian Lleyton Hewitt and Argentine David Nalbandian (Who? From where?). Pete Sampras must be rolling over in his … retirement?

Yes, the king of Wimbledon has opted not to visit the All England Club this year where he has tallied half of his record 14 major titles. No big deal, you say? Wouldn’t you begin to wonder if Tiger bagged the Masters or Lance skipped the Tour de France? Very telling indeed, as the seven-time champion sits at home in Los Angeles pondering fatherhood and retirement.

Tennis, like life, is a conveyor belt, though: As one champion careens off the end, a new one jumps on to take his place. But who? It used to be that picking Wimbledon winners was a matter of counting service aces. Now with a new paradigm shift firmly taking root, choosing a men’s champion is less science and more fiction.

Defending champ Hewitt would be a good place to start, but he has lost some of his luster this year. British fave Tim Henman has the classic grass court game but seems to perennially fall two steps short. Immensely talented Swiss Roger Federer just won a grass court tune-up event in Germany but continues to underachieve at the Grand Slams.

Maybe one of our [American] boys will come through. Pay close attention to three. Andre Agassi is a major threat in every Grand Slam. Big-serving Taylor Dent could wreak serious havoc if he gets on a roll. And Andy Roddick, with new coach Brad Gilbert (aka “Agassi career changer”), is showing promising signs after just winning the Queen’s Club grass court tournament in London.

And the winner is? Take the names I’ve mentioned along with six more of your own, and then pick one from a hat. If you get it right, proceed to the nearest lottery point-of-sale.

As I gaze at a poster of Centre Court that adorns my bedroom wall, I’m reminded of the lifelong inspiration this fortnight has provided. Truly, a village southwest of London named Wimbledon has raised many great champions. It is hallowed ground to the tennis player. Get ready to dab your strawberries in some cream though, because like a Minnesota summer, the Championships is special and over before you know it.

David Wheaton, who reached a career high ranking of No. 12 and won three singles trophies while playing on the tour, is a motivational speaker and radio talk show host. He is scheduled to play World Team Tennis this summer. You can contact David through his web site at www.davidwheaton.com.