THE SCOOP, WIMBLEDON PAGE 11

Venus Williams finds Wimbledon intoxicating

By Sandra Harwitt
tennisreporters.net

Susan Mullane Camerawork USA, Inc.

Venus Williams has found something that intoxicates her all the time – Wimbledon.

While the elder sister of the two Williams playing siblings tends to keep a sparse tournament schedule, as does little sis Serena, apparently Wimbledon fires up the passions of the reigning champion.

“I love winning here,” declared Venus Williams, after scoring a 6-2, 6-7 (1-7), 6-1 semifinal victory over fellow American Lindsay Davenport on Thursday afternoon. “Once you win here, it’s pretty addictive. I don‘t want to go home without carrying a plate or a trophy or a title or something. So I think that’s motivation enough for me.”

The 21-year-old Williams will need to keep her motivation in check in the final or else she could turn into the next casualty victim at the hands of Justine Henin. The Belgian scored her first final slot at a Grand Slam by destroying Jennifer Capriati’s chances of winning all four majors this year with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 semifinal victory.

“It was unbelievable, it’s a magical day for me today,” said Henin, the first Belgian woman to reach the Wimbledon final. “I think that now I have all my chances to win this tournament. I believe it.”

Whether Henin’s brilliant backhand is enough of a weapon against the power, precision and potent serve of the defending champion is a question we won’t have an answer to until Saturday. But even when she faltered in the second set against Davenport – in a rematch of last year’s Wimbledon and U.S. Open final that Venus won both titles – Williams should be able to keep her focus.

What we do know is that when Williams has her mind on tennis, she is probably the most formidable opponent out there. And apparently Wimbledon puts her in that state of mind. “It seems that when it comes to the larger matches I’m able to raise the level of my game to a really high degree,” Williams said. “I think I’m playing as well, maybe even better at this point in the semifinal than last year in the semifinals. So for me, that’s really exciting.”

The disappointing thing about Venus, and her sister Serena, is that they often choose to squander their talent instead of taking full advantage of the offerings. Maybe it’s that they are so young and incapable of understanding that the role of tennis superstar comes with a short shelf life.

Tennis isn’t their sole passion – there’s clothing design classes at the Ft. Lauderdale Art Institute in the fall, online courses the rest of the time and then there’s just periods of general boredom with the game.

“Sometimes it’s hard to practice because I get a little bored with practicing,” admitted Williams, obviously not a supporter of the theory that practice makes perfect. “It’s not always fun.” Hard work doesn’t come with a “fun” guarantee, but it often comes with a success guarantee. That is a lesson that Williams might be starting to learn, taking some former stars of the game as an example.

“I think some of the champions like Steffi Graf or Ivan Lendl that’s where they really excelled,” Williams said. “Maybe I have to get the same attitude.”
In the same breath, at only 21-years of age, Williams can already talk about her not very inspiring plans for retirement – even Andre Agassi at 31 avoids the subject. “I want to do something that I enjoy, but I don’t want to do too much,” said the admittedly lazy Williams. “I don’t want to work too hard so maybe I’ll be a couch potato.”

Unfortunately for Henin, when Williams is in her work ethic mode, which she seems to be in this fortnight at Wimbledon, she is a tough nut to break. But one thing is always true about the Williams sisters – you never know what mood there going to be in and whether they are showing up on the court interested or disinterested – so there could be another opportunity for Henin to create a major upset and take the Wimbledon crown.

But Williams insists there’s an opening in her trophy cabinet for another Wimbledon sterling silver prize, and with Davenport and Capriati out of the way, she’s hoping to have her way with Henin.