It’s heating up, again! The ’10 tennis season has kicked off and the Williams sisters, known for their formidable performances at the sport’s prestigious grand slams, are in Australia, ready to take part in the first slam of the year, the 2010 Australian Open. Held in Melbourne, January 18 – 31st at the Rod Laver Arena, the sisters are pumped and ready to dominate with their power games.
Defending singles (and doubles with Venus) champion, Serena, is an automatic favorite to win, but the competition will be stiff, especially considering the speculation that she’s having issues with one of her knees. The world No. 1’s movement was noticeably hampered during her recent finals match with Olympic Gold Medalist Elena Dementieva in the Sydney lead-up tournament. She lost the match 6-3,6-2.
“The knee is much better,” Williams said when questioned by reporters. “It was good for me to get all those matches in. So it was good.”
She said the pain was “definitely not ligament related…If anything, it helped. I played a lot of matches in a row, back to back. I had a long three-set match. But that was good preparation for me because I do plan on playing both singles and doubles here.”
Not usually one to make excuses, she attributed the loss to the simple fact that “Dementieva played a strong match.”
To add to that, the return of former world No. 1’s Justine Henin (2004 champion, but retired in ‘08) and Kim Clijsters who, after a 2-year hiatus to start a family, took out both Venus and Serena (in a controversial semi that left Serena with a 92k fine from the WTA) to go on to become the ‘09 US Open champion will surely test her ferocious will to win. she won’t meet either opponent until later in the tournament, though, as neither are on her side of the draw.
As for Venus, the prestigious singles title has eluded the elder sister, but she has managed to reach a final (2003), only to be bested by Serena. She’s fared better in doubles play, taking home three titles – with Serena’s help (‘09, ‘03, ’01) to secure her spot in AO history. Venus skipped the season opening Sydney tournament, which is usually a warm-up leading up to the the big event.
The sisters could meet in the semis; they’re both on the same side of the draw.
Possible injuries and lack of preparation aside, Venus and Serena always show and prove when it counts; both play their first-round matches Jan. 19. Check back for updates. -gerald radford
For more information visit www.australianopen.com
