THE tennisreporters.net NEWSLETTER: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, No. 11

Pundits say Serena will reign supreme

By Douglas Robson
Special to tennisreporters.net

Siggi Bucher

As we enter the third year of the Williams era in women’s tennis (Venus and Serena have won 8 of the last 13 Grand Slam events) tennis experts have started to ponder: Who will win more major titles when their careers are done?

It’s an apt query, since 22-year-old Venus and 21-year-old Serena have arrived at the 2003 Australian Open deadlocked at four Slams apiece but, thus far, no Aussie Open title between them. However, if the year’s first Slam goes to form, they will meet in the final and undo that tie.

For years, Venus was the dominant of the two, using her Gazelle-like court coverage, 120-mph-plus serve and elastic reach to brutalize Serena and most other opponents. That changed last year, however, as Serena came into her own, snatching the No. 1 ranking and winning three Slams by beating Venus in the final.

So who is more likely to snag more major silver for the family trophy case?

In a series of conversations over the last few weeks, fellow players and tennis observers weighed in on that question – one that has transfixed the tennis world since the two sisters ascended to the top of the sport for the first time in history. The answer was clear: Serena will reign supreme due to a combination of personality, physique and technique.

BJK STARTS LONG LIST OF SERENA FANS
No less an expert than Billie Jean King said that pure genetics gives Serena – who stands 5-foot-8-inches to Venus’ 6-foot-1 – the edge over her more spindly sister.

"At least from what doctors tell me, (Serena’s) body type will last longer than Venus,’" said the Fed Cup coach and tennis legend. King explained that Serena’s sturdy, low-to-the-ground build would help her endure the wear-and-tear of the tour. "She will probably have more longevity because of that," King added. "They both can win a lot, so whoever can stay out there the longest will probably have the better chance."

Many of the sisters’ peers believe Serena has a technical edge over her sister and that her strokes are less prone to unravel under pressure.

"In comparison to Venus’ game, I think it’s a little bit cleaner, with less errors," said South African veteran Amanda Coetzer. "I think Serena’s game is just a little bit more consistent than Venus’."

"I think she’s (Serena) a little better technically," added world No. 14 Magdalena Maleeva, who has played them both several times. "Serena looks to me more steady. She has less off days, when she’s not playing well, than Venus."

And according to No. 15 ranked Swiss Patty Schnyder, Serena is able to dominate more with her powerful second serve and sense when she should take control of a point. Schnyder said, "She knows when she has to attack and when she has to take back some pace. She has that feeling better than Venus."

But it’s not just the physical dimension of her game that pundits and prognosticators say will separate her over the long haul from older sis, Venus. It’s also desire and personality.

"Serena seems to have developed a passion for what it takes to win Slams," said former tour player and TV commentator Leif Shiras. "Now she’s ready to commit herself mentally and physically to get it done. Venus needs to get the passion back, she needs new motivation. For a while, I thought it was going to be Venus. I felt she was distancing herself from Serena. But right now, I think it’s Serena. Serena has found the love, the passion all the great players have."

Several players and experts said Serena’s temperament is more suited to the pressures and vagaries of superstardom. More than her older, protective sibling, Serena seems to thrive on the limelight and the scrutiny that comes with being No. 1.

Aussie doubles specialist Rennae Stubbs said Serena "likes the spotlight more, it’s more her personality. Venus is a little more, 'Oh well, whatever.' The only thing that will stop Serena is injuries or a lack of desire."

FERNANDEZ LEANS TO VENUS

Siggi Bucher

TV commentator and Australian Open finalist Mary Joe Fernandez believes Serena is "more driven." "Venus seems a little more laid back and content with how she’s done and is doing," said Fernandez. "It’ll be close, and I think Venus will win more Grand Slams, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve always liked Serena’s game a little bit better."

Not everyone is convinced that it’s Serena’s party and Venus isn’t invited. Columnist and tennis historian Bud Collins was the only person we asked who said Venus will eventually eclipse her baby sister.

With her greater wingspan and superior court movement, Collins believes that once Venus learns to take the net, her game will take on new heights. He also said her damaged psyche from falling behind her sister should motivate her to improve.

"Serena is in a high point now," Collins said. "Then Venus will recover. Whether she admits it or not, I think it’s been a mental blow to her to have little sister finally take her by the hand and beat her. … But I think Venus may end up with more (Slams) because one of these days she’s going to take Billie Jean King’s advice and get into the net. She’s got such tremendous reach at the net. If she takes the net away from people, boy oh boy, it would be wonderful."

Others predict that Serena’s ability to bear down and focus – evident in her perfect Slam record in 2002 – underscores her superior will to win.

"Serena has just looked hungrier," said two-time U.S. Open champ Tracy Austin. "It seems like when Serena made her mind up that she wanted to win more Grand Slams, to work harder and focus more on winning Grand Slams, then it happened. That makes a big difference in those big points when you have to dig down deep."

"I think that her mind, focus and determination for right now are better," said fellow American Lindsay Davenport.

To be sure, many observers said peering into their crystal balls at this moment is particularly difficult. That’s because the curious, quixotic and oddly aloof sisters arrive in Melbourne at a crossroads. Venus has appeared deflated with her Slam defeats and must step up her game and regain her confidence to challenge her younger sis. Serena, meantime, must adjust to being the firmly hunted, not the hunter. Indeed, the world No. 1 almost imploded in a first-round encounter with lightly regarded Emilie Loit of France, pulling out a 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 win after being three points from defeat.

The Williams twosome are also determined to be well-rounded individuals. Venus has started her own interior design company. Serena is taking acting lessons. How much this detracts from their tennis remains to be seen.

DAD WON'T COMMENT
Richard Williams, who brashly predicted greatness for his daughters almost a decade ago, wouldn’t touch the topic of who would end up with more majors – a rarity for the usually opinionated Williams.

"That’s not a question you should be asking me in my position," he snapped. "But if you ask me who will be the most educated player at the end of their career? It will be my daughters and not one other player."

No argument here.