For years, Richard Williams had been talking up his two hard-hitting, tough-talking tennis prodigies. And in 2000, Venus Williams proved that, indeed, Father knows best. Playing in only her fourth tournament of the year after being sidelined with tendinitis in both wrists for six months and reportedly contemplating retirement, Williams hit pay dirt in July by capturing the ladies singles title at Wimbledon. Not only did she claim her first Grand Slam victory, the 20-year-old also became the first female black champion at Wimbledon since Althea Gibson (1957 and '58). And how did she follow up her straight-set defeat of Lindsay Davenport? Two days later, she and younger sister, Serena, teamed up to win the doubles crown at the All England Club. In September, Venus prevailed at the U.S. Open, knocking off top-ranked Martina Hingis and second-ranked Davenport on consecutive nights to unseat Serena as defending champ. At the Sydney Games, Williams displayed her extraordinary power, pace and athleticism, becoming the only other woman besides Helen Wills in 1924 to win both the singles and doubles titles at the same Olympiad. First, Venus knocked off Elena Dementieva of Russia in the singles final to take gold and extend her singles match win streak to 32. She then paired up with Serena in the doubles competition to crush Dutch duo Kristie Boogert and Miriam Oremans in the gold- medal match and secure their 22nd consecutive win. Venus summed up her 2000 triumphs well by saying, "I guess I've graduated to a different level where I can be like some of the greats."
	Sound Bites: Venus, at Wimbledon, had one goal in mind -- regardless of her opponent. (50 K) Venus Williams enjoys beating the best players in the game when they are playing their best. (179 K)   Features: SI For Women November/December 2000: Simply Super Venus Williams Scrapbook Sports Illustrated, July 17, 2000: For the Ages Sports Illustrated, September 15, 1997: Venus Envy

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.