New York: They have played sporadically, pulling away from the court through injury and other interests.
Yet Williams sisters Venus and Serena are poised to challenge the US Open favourites on the opposite sides of the draw. Serena, slowed by a left knee injury, has played only 12 matches this year.
She was missing from action for six months following the Australian Open before returning for two hard court tournaments in the run up to the Open.
Venus has played five tournaments in 2006 but none since Wimbledon, hampered by an injured wrist. Venus is seeded 30th. Serena, now ranked 90th, needed a wildcard invite to join the fun at Flushing Meadows.
Besides their injuries, the sisters have pursued other off-court interests. Both are involved in fashion design and Serena has been chasing acting opportunities.
Still, the dynamic sisters, both former world number ones with 12 grand slam singles titles between them, can not be counted out at the US Open championships starting on Monday.
"I saw (Serena) this summer out in LA. I saw her play three matches. She won a couple three-setters. She actually looked a lot fitter than the last time I saw her which was in Australia," TV commentator and former player Mary Joe Fernandez said at this week's draw.
"She was running a lot of balls down. She was actually pretty patient, which was a good sign for me. I wish she would have played one more tournament to get a few more matches in, but she's trying to protect her body, making sure she is a hundred per cent with her left knee."
Venus, 26, showed what she can do when she gets on a roll, winning last year's Wimbledon as the 14th seed.
The sisters, who have each won two US Open crowns, have difficult paths to negotiate and are considered longshots for the title.
Serena, 24, made more news at last year's Open with the $40,000 diamond chandelier earrings she wore on court than with her results.
She fell in the fourth round to Venus, who was ousted in her next match. The road may be hardest for Serena.
She is projected to encounter Montreal Cup winner Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in the third round, then top-seeded Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo, five-times grand slam winner Martina Hingis and Maria Sharapova in order to reach the final.
Venus would probably have to get past former Open runner-up Elena Dementieva in the third round and 2004 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarters with French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne looming as a likely opponent in the semi-finals.
Former player Chris Evert, now publisher of Tennis Magazine, wrote an open letter earlier this year to Serena questioning her commitment to tennis and urging her to focus on the sport to fulfill her potential.
Serena says she still has competitive desire. "If I wasn't hungry, I wouldn't be playing because I've done enough to be able to retire," she said.
Comments
0 comment