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Double trouble Serena, Venus advance to quarterfinals
Posted: Tuesday July 04, 2000 03:47 AM
Wimbledon is seeing something of a rarity this year: The Williams' sisters playing in the same singles tournament. It has been seen only once before at Wimbledon and that was in 1998 by, you guessed it, the Williams' sisters. Since the back-end of last year, it is something those who follow the sport have rarely seen at all. Prior to the start of Wimbledon, CNNSI.com's Phil Jones went courtside to talk to fifth-seed Venus, 20, and eighth-seed Serena, 18, and found their level of confidence to be as high as their level of play. Phil Jones: Venus and Serena, you are both in high spirits and ready to grapple with grass. Serena Williams: My game is meant for surfaces like this. I can play on any surface you put me on. You put me on clay? I'm ready. Hard? I'm ready. And grass? I'm ready. But I think mostly on grass and hard (surfaces), Venus and I are really able to succeed because we're really attack players. We can come to the net. We can serve and volley and we can get those seven Wimbledon titles (at this point Venus raises her arms in triumph which sparks a laugh from Serena). Jones: But you've already had a great run here at Wimbledon once before? Venus Williams: I want it to be better. I lost a couple of close matches and that was unfortunate. Hopefully this year, I can turn it around. But I like it here a lot. We've done well on all surfaces. We have titles on everything except for grass. Jones: What about the whole tradition thing here? Serena: It's fun. At first it was an experience because every time we go over time, you only have one hour and if you're caught going over the hour they will come in and actually take you off the court. Venus: But we got 15 extra minutes today, (both sisters break out laughing). Jones: How did you manage that? Venus: They didn't come get us until 15 extra minutes had passed. But I've changed my mind about Wimbledon. At first, I thought it was right that everyone had to wear white. Serena: I think it's right because white really looks nice on the grass and it makes you look pretty. And I like that a lot. Venus: It's more attractive, much more attractive. Jones: Well you two always look good out there, so you've got no problems. Serena: We do very well because we're both pretty attractive, very attractive. We always look good when we're on the court. Our clothes are in style, we're slim and trim and we're winning. Venus: And we're really in shape. Serena: And we're in good shape. Venus: And we're serious. Serena: And we're serious. In the new millenium, we've changed, everything has changed. Venus: If you've got it, you have it and you've got to take advantage of it. Serena: Because you know, if you don't use it, you'll lose it. Venus: Lose it (both sisters do and start laughing). Jones: What about the general competition that you are going to be facing? Is there anybody out there who you would look at and think, "OK, they're probably my biggest rival out here?" Serena: Right now, I think Venus is playing really good tennis and if we were to meet, I think that would be top right now. But Lindsay (Davenport) won last year so she's playing pretty well. Then you have people that come out on the grass and they might have the best day, especially when they play us, they might have just an unbelievable day. So really, I can't say (we're) out looking for anyone because everyone is playing their best. Venus: I think you know what to expect from the top players. But sometimes when you come out against a player you never heard of or a lower ranked player, they have nothing to lose. And if you don't watch out, you'll lose. Jones: Serena, I'm sure you keep an eye on your sister, keep her in check and make sure she's not hurting? Serena: Yeah, I try to. We both look out for each other because really sometimes. I think of her as my right arm. (Venus gives her sister a nudge on the left arm). That's the left. Venus: Oh (both laugh). Jones: Another couple of reasons to make them smile is the earliest they can meet in the singles is the semi-finals. And for the first time, they'll be tackling the Wimbledon doubles together.
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