Women’s Tennis Year End Review: Williams Sisters return to the top but Justine Henin is number one

Venus and Serena Williams once again demonstrated to the tennis world and to the cynical critics that they are great champions. The Williams Sisters nemesis is the great Belgian player Justine Henin. Henin has proven she is the number one player in the world at the moment. Justine is the queen of the WTA she is very consistent but I wish she had more of a personality. I do not know if its all lost in translation? Henin comes across as very aloof, indifferent, and haughty. Amelie Mauresmo is from France she is bilingual just like Henin but she comes across as very gentle, nice, and friendly.

Serena started off 2007 ranked at eighty one in the world. At the 2007 Australian Open so called tennis experts Pat Cash the one slam wonder and of course the termagant American tennis commentators at ESPN television were forecasting a dystopian storyline for Serena. Jon Wertheim the egregious American tennis reporter also bashed Serena about her physique. Has Jon Wertheim ever looked in the mirror at his own reflection? Wertheim will go on and on about Serena being out of shape but she’s gorgeous. Wertheim should take his own advice and be careful he can shatter glass with his appearance.

Since I live in Toronto Canada the only “sports” network available is TSN. For some bizarre reason TSN continues to receive their tennis feed through ESPN television. During the French Open this year the Tennis Channel shared television broadcasts duties with ESPN. I find the Tennis Channel commentators to be so much more professional and classy they actually talk about tennis. I cringe every January when the Australian Open commences because I constantly have to put my television set on mute.

Its the same tired and dry cycle we have Patrick McEnroe on the air with his constant homoerotic displays of affection for Andy Roddick and James Blake. Patrick will have a lovefest with himself and declare his devotion to the chronic underachiever Andy Roddick. Patrick will go on and on about how great Andy Roddick is. Roddick has proven he is in the second tier of the top ten. Roddick can beat most of the male tennis players but he cannot beat the best. The only way Andy Roddick can win is if the other top players lose early. Roddick has not proven he can beat the best in the grand slams. James Blake can’t beat anybody at the top he always capitulates in the grand slam events.

The unprofessionalism of the American tennis commentators is beyond disgraceful its pathetic. Mary Joe Fernandez, and Cliff Drysdale are the only Amerian tennis commentators that understand the difference between being silent between points. Mary Carillo and Pam Shriver the loquacious tennis analysts have not learned to be silent between points. Patrick McEnroe is basically a professional cheerleader whenever Andy Roddick is on the television set McEnroe has an extremely egregious behavior he has zero class.

Nadia Petrova a former top ten Russian player and Serena’s third round opponent criticized Serena prior to their match. Petrova has never won a grand slam nor has she ever advanced to a grand slam final. Its so foolish for Nadia Petrova to bash Serena when Petrova is a consistent underachiever. Nadia was quoted in the press saying Serena doesn’t concentrate enough on tennis. Well, where are Petrova’s slam titles? Last time I checked she’s not a champion and not a winner. Petrova has a history of being a chronic choker in big matches. Once again Nadia Petrova’s big mouth proved to be her downfall. Serena fought back from down 1-6 3-5 to win the match 1-6 7-5 6-3.

The rising Serbian player Jelena Jankovic another big mouth that has proven nothing at the elite level also questioned Serena’s fitness. The media have hyped Jankovic but she always fails at the quarterfinals or semifinals of grand slams. I don’t consider Jankovic a contender until she wins a grand slam. Serena destroyed Jankovic 6-3 6-2 in their fourth round match. In the quarterfinals Shahar Peer from Israel choked the match she was two points from defeating Serena but lost 3-6 6-2 8-6. In the semifinals and finals Serena played her best tennis easily blasting Czech teen Nicole Vaidisova and the overrated Maria Sharapova in straight sets. Sharapova was in tears after the match after Serena humiliated her 6-1 6-2 in about an hour. Sharapova appeared slow, she was intimidated by Serena and she played like a scared little kitten.

Mary Carillo’s bias against the Williams Sisters exploded in her face. Carillo’s immature outbursts about Serena’s lack of dedication to the game just made her look like a complete idiot. Carillo and Pam Shriver criticized Serena’s weight even laughing at times at Serena as they placed Eurocentric body image standards on my girl. For once Mary Carillo was silenced and stunned there was absolutely nothing the termagant could say. Carillo looked like a fool for all of her racist and sexist comments against Serena Williams during the 2007 Australian OPEN ESPN broadcast.

Carillo is a consistent Williams Sisters hater along with Pam Shriver, Chris Fowler, Patrick McEnroe, and the rest of the pathetic ESPN crew. Does ESPN have a policy to hire racists for their tennis telecasts? Sure seems like it. Sadly, Carillo, Fowler, Shriver, and Patrick McEnroe are all fellow Americans yet they bash the Williams Sisters with every opportunity they can find. I tend to have my television set on mute they make my ears bleed with their hypocrisy and bigotry. When are ESPN tennis viewers going to hold ESPN accountable? If you have a problem with the American tennis commentators complain to ESPN let them know this racist crap cannot continue.

It just goes to show in the United States skin colour and not nationality is the litmus test for ESPN television. Andy Roddick and James Blake had miserable years on the ATP Tour as usual. Patrick McEnroe looks like a professional groupie he hypes Roddick and Blake up and they keep on losing the big matches. Its clear that Roddick and Blake are not contenders. There is only one person that controls the ATP Tour and his name is Roger Federer.

Yes Rodidck and Blake won the Davis Cup but that was a team effort. On the ATP Tour both American men have proven they are below the Europeans. Patrick McEnroe as everyone knows is the American Davis Cup captain but what have Blake and Roddick accomplished this year. Last time I checked Blake and Roddick were 0-4 against Roger Federer this year. Roddick and Blake also failed to reach a grand slam final. Why doesn’t ESPN waste their time on the failure of the American men?

Venus was unable to play the Australian Open due to a chronic wrist injury. Venus started 2007 at a minor event in Memphis easily destroying Shahar Peer 6-1 6-1 in less then an hour to win the event. However, media reports dismissed Venus’s title victory given the fact she was playing against lower ranked players. Venus was shrewd to play Memphis because she simply wanted to build her confidence and win matches.

Serena continued her strong play at the Miami tier I WTA event in March 2007 once again defeating Sharapova again easily 6-1 6-1. Justine Henin choked against Serena in the finals as Serena fought off two match points to win the title 0-6 7-5 6-3. Earlier in the event Venus squandered a lead against Maria Sharapova in the third round losing a tough 2-6 6-2 7-5 marathon. Richard Williams openly criticized Venus in the press I was stunned. I understand Richard was frustrated but to pick on Venus through the media was surprising.

Unlike Serena, Venus’s game has to flow to work consistently. Serena has a more consistent serve and forehand then Venus. However, I think that Venus moves better then Serena she has longer legs and more reach. I also think Venus volleys better then Serena. It is very tough to pass six foot one Venus at the net.

The real difference between Venus and Serena I believe is the mental aspect to the game. I don’t question the hunger or desire of both Williams Sisters I know they want to win. The issue I have with Venus is why can’t get help with her serve? Venus has the biggest serve in women’s tennis. At the French Open Venus served at 129 mph during one match. It is the largest serve ever by a female in a main draw WTA tour event. If Venus can just harness her power, pull back a bit, learn to wait be patient she can be so dangerous.

I notice that Serena has the ability to slow down a bit take a bit of power off the ball if she’s making too many unforced errors. I notice with Venus that she just tries to strike the ball harder and harder off her forehand side even if she’s making mistakes. Another issue I have with Venus is why does she only play well at Wimbledon? Its a fair question. At Wimbledon Venus realizes she can pull back a bit not try to hit the 125 mph ace all the time. I think the key for Venus is to slow the serve just a little bit but get a hard effective serve in. At Wimbledon this year Venus served so well and that was the key to her winning the title. Venus is six foot one I like that she is coming to net more but she needs to make this a habit. Venus is so tall she reminds me of Althea Gibson in the sense she instinctively knows how to volley at net. I wish Venus can develop more of a serve and volley kind of game.

When Serena plays she want to win at all costs she has the killer instinct. Venus also has a killer instinct yet crumbles when she plays Serena she just doesn’t produce. Is Serena more talented then Venus? Well, according to their grand slam results in a way the answer is yes. Serena has won all four of the grand slams and Venus has won two out of the four. The question has to be asked, why hasn’t Venus won the Australian Open or French Open yet? Will Venus ever win one of the first two grand slams of the year? I ask this question because its obvious Venus has the ability, she has the fitness, it all comes down to Venus mechanics. Venus problems are more psychological and mechanical. If Serena is extremely fit and motivated she’s very dangerous. Venus is different Venus game has to be flowing in order to challenge the top players.

Venus had a satisfactory clay court season clay has never been the Williams Sisters best surface. Serena has won the French Open once in 2002 and Justine Henin has dominated the French Open ever since. It is shocking to me that Venus has never won the French Open. Venus has won major clay court titles such as the Italian Open on the slow red European clay in 1999, she also has won the Charleston clay court event in the United States in 2004. Venus lost to French player Tatiana Golivin at Amelia Island, she lost to Jelena Jankovic in a tight three setter in Charleston, and she also was defeated by Svetlana Kuznetsova in Warsaw. Venus worst clay court loss in 2007 was the Aravane Rezai in straight sets. At the French Open Venus lost to Jelena Jankovic again in the third round. Venus complained that she was suffering due to anemia and a lack of energy in the 6-4 4-6 6-1 loss. Serena reached the quaterfinals only to be swept aside by Justine Henin 6-4 6-3.

The Williams Sisters never play warm up events prior to Wimbledon they prefer instead to return to Flordia after the French Open and train in the United States. At Wimbledon Venus almost lost her first round and third round matches. Once Venus was on Center Court at Wimbeldon the old great Venus returned. In a highly anticipated fourth round match against Maria Sharapova Venus blasted Sharapova off the court 6-1 6-3. Venus continued the strong play easily defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-4 in the quaterfinals. Serena lost a tightly contested match against Justine Henin in the quarerfinals. The consensus was it would once again be a rematch of the 2001 Wimbledon women’s final between Venus and Justine Henin.

Venus fulfilled her part easily dispatching Serbian player Ana Ivanovic 6-2 6-4 without breaking a sweat. Ivanovic is a talented young player she has a big serve, good volley, nice variety and solid groundstrokes. Ivanovic’s problem is her mobility she simply isn’t fast enough. Venus exploited Ivanovic’s lack of speed constantly in the match pushing her all over the court and coming to net to knock off the winning volleys.

The other semifinal between Justine Henin and Marion Bartoli was supposed to be a wipeout. Bartoli was ranked in the top twenty but she was never considered a contender. Bartoli shocked Justine Henin 1-6 7-5 6-1 due to Justine Henin’s choke job. Henin capitulated the match even though she had a solid lead and once again failed to deliver at Wimbledon even though she was a clear favourite to win the title. Bartoli’s win over Henin was one of the biggest upsets in Wimbledon history. In the final Venus rolled over Bartoli 6-4 6-1 since Bartoli was most likely overwhelmed due to Venus Williams huge serves, blistering groundstrokes, incredible speed and variety. Bartoli never had a chance but she should be proud of her accomplishment.

Serena missed most of the summer hardcourt season due to a thumb injury she had no matches going into the 2007 US OPEN. Serena played well but it simply wasn’t good enough against Justine Henin in the quarterfinals. Henin rolled over Serena 7-6 6-1. When I watched the match I felt that Serena was slow she wasn’t moving to the ball well enough. I wondered if the rumours were true that Serena was still having problems with her knees.

The US OPEN organizers ruined Venus 2007 US OPEN hopes by rescheduling her quaterfinal match against Jelena Jankovic from Tuesday night to Wednesday evening. Venus won the battle against Jankovic 4-6 6-1 7-6. However, Venus clearly was not herself she only had a day to recover for the semifinals against Justine Henin and lost 7-6 6-4 in a two hour fierce battle. Justine Henin became the first player on the WTA tour to beat both the Williams Sisters in a grand slam event and also become the US OPEN champion.

In the fall of 2007 Venus elected to play smaller events in Asia to boost her ranking. Venus won the Korean Open yet faltered surprisingly against Virginie Razanno of France at the Japan Open and losing to Flavia Penetta at the Bangkok Open. Serena played three events in Germany, Switzerland, and Russia she failed to win any of the tournaments. Whispers emerged that the Williams Sisters were no longer on top of the WTA. The truth is 2007 was really Justine Henin’s year she won both the French Open and the US Open. Henin also did not lost a match after the Wimbledon final.

Lindsay Davenport reemerged in the fall of 2007 winning a small event in Bali but defeating Jelena Jankovic in a surprise upset. Davenport also won a minor event in Quebec City. Davenport proved that she still is a force on the WTA.

The question for the Williams Sisters and Lindsay Davenport is can they stop Justine Henin? Maria Sharapova is a talented player but she lacks variety in her game and Henin has proven she can outlast Sharapova due to her superior fitness and speed. Sharapova may be slim but she simply is not fit enough to compete with Henin. If Sharapova wants to beat Henin she will have to workout a lot harder. I also have noticed Sharapova has no finesse to her game she doesn’t really think on the court. Against Justine she will need to improve her volley skills.

Henin is playing the best tennis of her career she is the reigning Queen of the WTA. One of the advantages Henin has over the Williams Sisters and Davenport is her variety. Justine Henin may not have the best personality in women’s tennis but she does have the drive and the determination. Henin may only be five foot five but she serves big, she has a low slice backhand which has proven to be a weapon against the other top women. Henin also has improved her forehand she also can hit drop shots, and a hard flat top spin backhand to rush her opponents.

Unlike Sharapova and Davenport the Williams Sisters have the variety mixed with the finesse and the power to defeat Justine Henin. The quandary for the Williams Sisters is can they remain injury free for the 2008 Australian Open? Serena’s fitness has always been a question mark and to Serena’s credit she has worked harder on her fitness this year. Serena simply needs confidence and the only way is to play matches. Serena played a minor event in Hobart Tasmania this year prior to the Australian Open. Even though Serena lost in the quarterfinals of the Hobart event I still believe it helped her to win the 2007 Australian Open.

I am kind of disappointed that Serena has elected not to return to Hobart I think she will need matches prior to the Australian Open. Venus is always a question mark she is usually very physically fit but her serve has proven to be inconsistent at times. We just don’t know how Venus will play? At the 2006 Australian Open Venus lost in the first round to a lower ranked player. Can the American women challenge Justine Henin? Or will Justine continue her domination of women’s tennis and win everything? We will find out shortly at the 2008 Australian Open.

If you want to complain and contact ESPN Television about the American tennis commentators racism and sexism against the Williams Sisters here is the link: http://espn.go.com/sitetools/s/contact/espntv.html