Venus Williams Withdraws from Australian Open

You knew this was coming, but still...it's too bad.

From The Age: Venus the latest out with a wrist injury

IT WAS not so much a matter of whether Venus Williams would withdraw from the Australian Open but of when, for she has played only one tournament since losing in the third round of her Wimbledon defence, and last month cancelled her appearance at the Hopman Cup.

Yesterday, a couple of hours before the qualifying draw was conducted at Melbourne Park, the WTA announced that Williams was not yet recovered from the left wrist injury that — combined with a variety of other arm ailments — crippled much of her season...

Venus and Serena Williams Talk to High School Kids

There's the Venus and Serena Williams you see through the lens of the tennis media (distant), and then there's the Venus and Serena you see when they're not around (fun-loving).  This article is full of the second.

From ESPN: Tennis titans show they're just regular folks

It wasn't supposed to be this way for Venus and Serena Williams. After all, two poor, black sisters growing up in Compton, Calif., aren't supposed to become world-champion tennis players, much less role models.

But here they stood in front of an auditorium brimming with students from Vance High School, doling out advice about life. For 20 minutes, they told their story and answered questions. The high school teens and eighth-graders in the crowd listened and learned...

Venus Williams Pulls out of Hopman Cup

Damn.  I have the feeling there's just no way in hell she'll be showing up at the Australian Open.  What exactly is this wrist injury she's been nursing for so long?

Or perhaps this trial just has her behind the eight ball in her Australian Open preparations and she wants to work out at home more before heading off to Australia.

From news.com.au: Venus quits Hopman Cup

AMERICAN tennis superstar Venus Williams has pulled out of next month's Hyundai Hopman Cup at Burswood Dome.

Her omission is a huge blow to the event, which precedes the Australian Open.

In a statement released by the tournament today, a wrist injury was blamed for Williams' no-show.

More Testimony Against Williamses

I wonder if all of this is distracting Venus and Serena Williams from their Australian Open preparations? 

From The Sun-Sentinel: Authority of tennis stars' dad detailed in document

Lawyers for promoters suing tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams and their father produced an 11th-hour witness Tuesday bearing documents purportedly showing Richard Williams signed agreements on his daughters' behalf and had a strict protocol for anyone wanting to do business with the family.

Williams Sisters and Bryant McKinnie

Once again Venus and Serena Williams make the papers for something other than their tennis, but in this case it wasn't their fault. 

Minnesota football player Bryant McKinnie, an apparent friend of theirs, decided to tease the local media about whether he was dating one of them...or both of them.

(Tennis related question - what are the odds that both Williams sisters make it down to Australia healthy for the Open?)

From The Star Tribune: Courting a Williams sister or playing the field?  A newly demure Bryant McKinnie isn't saying

Vikings bad boy Bryant McKinnie wasn't exactly shedding much light on the subject of what's going on, if anything, between him and Venus or Serena Williams.

Garrison Concerned About Venus' Injuries

From Tennis Week: Venus' Injury Issues Create Cause for Concern

The ever-present adhesive tape that protects Venus Williams' troublesome wrists serves as a reminder of how vulnerable the former World No. 1 can be to injury. Williams once dispensed punishment on court with the routine nature of a nurse handing out vitamin C pills, but spent much of this season seemingly playing in pain.

The two-time U.S. Open champion, who withdrew from the 2006 Flushing Meadows major citing "continuation of pain in her left wrist", was limited to just 19 matches this year due to injury and her ongoing injury issues have caused concern among some, including U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison...

Venus Testifies in Trial

The story today is that Venus and Serena's father, her attorney, and IMG execs that represented them were involved in the discussions about the "Battle of the Sexes" event, but Venus still claims that neither she nor Serena knew anything at all about it.

Certainly possible...but weird.

From The Palm Beach Post: Venus: Dad was never my manager

Tennis star Venus Williams had a simple explanation Monday for why her father told two would be promoters that she and her sister would participate in a battle of the sexes tournament that was to net $45 million.

He lied, she told a jury...

Williams' Dad Takes Stand in Trial

Another off-season, another trial to attend for Venus and Serena Williams.  I feel bad for them...whatever their dad may or may not have done in this case it doesn't seem like they had anything to do with it.

From The South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Tennis stars' father: I lied...

Richard Williams, father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, testified Monday that he lied to a would-be promoter about his daughters' knowledge of a 2001 Battle of the Sexes tournament.

The patriarch of the family also denied ever acting as his daughters' manager despite three years worth of tax returns that indicate he was paid nearly $2 million in management fees for the girls.

The WTA at Luxembourg

Wow, talk about some brutal first round matches: Daniela Hantuchova v. Tatiana Golovin (Hantuchova won in straights); Venus Williams (in her first tournie since Wimbledon) v. Ana Ivanovic, and Schiavone v. Michaela Krajicek. Here's the draw.

Venus is out of the US Open

Poor Venus. The wrist hasn't healed. Vera Zvonareva will take her spot in the draw.

Players Dropping Like Flies

The situation in Montreal is looking bad: right on the heels of Amelie Mauresmo's (shoulder) and Venus Williams' (wrist) withdrawals  yesterday, Justine Henin-Hardenne (knee) and Patty Schnyder also pulled out.

If Sharapova does well this week, she could pull out of the Rogers Cup after such a great 2 week run-- which would leave Clijsters, Hingis and Pierce as the big draws--and Pierce and Clijsters are at not 100% right now.

Here's Matt Cronin on this summer's and last summer's problems with pullouts.

Amelie and Venus Out of Montreal

Oh well. Here's the story, with Amelie's statement.

Other news in injured players: Guillermo Coria's got a new coach; a good piece on training, the endless season, and injuries in tennis.

Venus out of LA

Venus Williams pulled out of her hometown tournie in Carson, CA with a wrist injury. Here's the story.

The Espy Awards: Pictures

ETA: Links have been fixed.

James Blake and Venus Williams represented for tennis at the ESPYs last night. Federer won Best Male Tennis Player, Venus won Best Female Tennis Player-- and some baseball player beat Roger Federer for Best International Athlete. Further proof that the ESPYs are irrelevant.

Here are the full results. The Espy Awards will be aired on Sunday July 16, 9 PM ET on ESPN.

Venus on Equal Prize Money

Venus Williams (News/Blog Posts) wrote a piece for The Times UK about the cash controversy.

Wimbledon has sent me a message: I'm only a second-class champion

American Mass Exodus at Wimbledon

Who would have thought that the only American to make it into the 2nd week at Wimbledon would be Shenay Perry?

Fond Send-Off for Agassi, Mass Exodus by Americans

Wimbledon Day 4: Great Wins

Venus Williams d. Lisa Raymond
6-7(4) 7-5 6-2

Venus played exceptionally cleanly (by anyone's standards, not just hers, lol) with only a handful of unforced errors in the first 2 sets, but 32-year-old Raymond was playing out of her mind. Venus seemed intimidated by Raymond's excellent hands at the net  (she is the world number 2 in doubles 2nd only to her partner, Sam Stosur) and reluctant to come in. It looked absolutely over for Venus down a set and 2-5 in the second.

What happened next was Lazarus-like; Venus won 11 of the next 13 games with some fiery, vital play. Raymond looked shell-shocked and shattered by the time she finally got on the board in the 3rd set (at 0-4).

I find it hard to watch Venus' matches because her schizoid swings between brilliant play and jagala jagala play (as my mom would say) could give you an ulcer. But you really never ever can count her out, and that's the great thing about her and why she's such a great champion.

Shades of last year? I'm backing her for the win. Here are: a match summary / Venus' Interview /Raymond's Interview.

What great wins did you see?

McEnroe Backs the Women's Campaign; talks Serena's Acting

McEnroe Supports the Ladies, Makes Carillo Cry

Also, McEnroe on the Williams Sisters and Serena's acting, allegations of domestic abuse, and anger management.

Venus: 'If Serena Retires, So Will I'

I've always gotten irritated when tennis folk talk about the Williams Sisters as if they were one and the same, when they are very different individuals and players in style as well as substance. But then I read something like this:

Venus revealed at Wimbledon yesterday: "I'm going to retire when Serena retires. I don't want to ride solo without her."

I'm all for sisterly love, but this is bordering on co-dependency. Read the article

Wimbledon Draws are Out!: The Women

Here's the women's draw. Venus landed at the bottom of Mauresmo's quarter of the draw and so did 14th seed Dinara Safina. Other trouble spots: a newly brunette Tatiana Golovin and Ana Ivanovic who's already beaten Amelie this year. Michaela Krajicek, who's still having a great week in Nottingham, is a potential 2nd round match up for Mauresmo.

Sharapova's section looks pretty straightforward until Dementieva in the quarters, though Schiavone, Sania Mirza, and Danilidou, who made the semis at the Ordina Open, could add some spice.

Hingis, Hantuchova, Jamea Jackson and Patty Schnyder are in Justine Henin-Hardenne's section of the draw. Will be interesting to see if Hingis can reach the massive roadblock that is Justine.

At the bottom of the draw, there are a few threats between #5 seed Kuznetsova and #2 seed Kim Clijsters: Vaidisova, Na Li and Kirilenko.

News: Petrova's pulled out with her lingering groin injury from the French.

Wimbledon Seeds Out; Nadal is 2; Roddick 3, Venus 7

Not a huge surprise, but it'll be interesting to see if Roddick ends up on Federer's or Nadal's side of the draw. Nalbandian's seeded 4th; Hewitt's 6. Here's the full list.

Venus on Serena, Wimbledon and Tennis

Nice piece from the Financial Times: 'We really believe in what we're doing'

I'm here to question her motivation. The word in tennis circles is that Venus and her sister Serena don't care any more. Having dominated the women's game, they now seldom even show up on tour. They nurse injuries, write books, appear on their reality television show, study fashion and so on. Read the article

Sharapova, Venus and Serena on Forbes' Most Powerful Celebs List

Maria's 63, Serena's 87, and Venus is 90. I must be feeling particularly anti-capitalist today, or maybe it's just the news about Bill Gates becoming a full-time philanthropist, because the idea of this list feels sort of gross to me right now.

Venus is USA's Favorite Female Athlete

Venus beat out her sister Serena (No. 2) and the over-endorsed Maria Sharapova (no. 8) as the U.S.' favorite female athlete. The poll also breaks down favorites by generation, gender and region. Women's tennis won these categories:

Men: Serena
Women: Venus
Gen X: Serena
Baby Boomers:  Venus   
South & West: Venus

In case you were wondering, no, Federer didn't make the men's list, lol. The Harris Interactive Poll

Venus Heads Home

Beaten Williams to lay low prior to Wimbledon
Heartbroken Venus Williams will go to ground at home in Florida before re-emerging in time to bid for a fourth career title at Wimbledon. Read On...

Quote Round Up

This is literally yesterday's news, but here's a great round up of quotes from Monfils, Sharapova, Blake, Venus Williams, Dinara Safina and more.

The Oracle of Bud Collins

Bud Collins' is going for Roger Federer to finally put all the puzzle pieces together over Rafael Nadal on Sunday and for Venus to make the finals, but lose to a Belgian.

Choice quote:

No storybook ending for Nadal
Nadal's bid to be the last man standing in Paris for the second year in a row is certainly a serious one, but I just don't see a repeat for the Spanish sensation.

I can’t see anyone in Nadal's half of the draw knocking him out en route to the final, but in my gut, I feel it will be Federer waiting for him on championship Sunday. And I see the Basel Dazzle putting an end to Nadal's lengthy and super impressive clay-court winning streak.

Read the Article

Great Profile on Venus Williams

Choice quote:

Even though she puts on a warrior's mask on court, Venus is not a bitter person. She's a happy-go-lucky woman, one who while talking to reporters in a buffet line in Paris, was comfortably singing a 311 song while 1998 French Open champion Carlos Moya stood right behind her.

She loves music and spends much of her free time attending concerts. She has no plans to launch a singing career, but certainly has the genes, as her mother, Oracene, performs in public and is said to have an extraordinary voice.

Read the Article.

Venus: "What am I ranked?"; Spadea's Outfit

There's a fun piece (ooh, Ilie Nastase's watching Monfils-Murray! So is Vilas!) with some tidbits about Venus, Vince Spadea and Dmitri Tursunov here.

No Clear Favorite Among the Women

At Roland Garros, Women's Tennis Searches for a Leader

Almost halfway through 2006, women's tennis remains upsidedown.

So far this year, three different women have held the no. 1 ranking. Amelie Mauresmo, the current no.1,won her first major title in Australia after Justine Henin-Hardenne retired with what was officially scored as a "gastrointestinal illness." Nadia Petrova, who dumped her coach in Australia because he was not "tough" enough, is now ranked no. 3 and has the most wins on the tour in 2006. Maria Sharapova is the second-best Russian, while Serena Williams, the most talented woman in the world, is the 14th-best American, ranked a lowly no. 108. And Martina Hingis has returned from a three-year retirement and moved quickly into the top 15. Read On...

Robredo Wins Hamburg: Hingis v. Safina in Rome

So it's the third win for an ATP blogger (James Blake and Ivan Ljubicic were the others). Tommy Robredo, this week's very entertaining blogger, just won his first Master's Shield, in style, over Radek Stepanek 6-1 6-3 6-3. Robredo played a really clean match, making almost twice as many winners as errors, and Radek's game really broke down.  Here's a match summary.

As of tomorrow, Tommy's will be no. 7 in the world, displacing Blake; and Radek will be just 10 points shy of the top 10 for the first time. (Hmm, Tommy just said in his champion's speech that he had not been "perfectly mentally" in the last five months and thanked his friends and family for sticking by him. Well, good for him; hopefully whatever problems he was having will be erased by his triumph in Hamburg.)

Now it remains to be seen if Radek's girlfriend Martina Hingis will do him one better and win today in Roma. Yesterday's match was a thriller; Venus was blowing Hingis off the court and won seven straight games before the train derailed in the second set. Dinara Safina will try to continue her incredible streak (Clijsters, Dementieva, Kusnetsova, anyone?) this week. Here's to hoping Marat flies in to support his little sister so we can get some great reaction shots.

The match is maybe on (or over) already, but I'm going to wait to watch the delayed feed on The Tennis Channel at 2pm (Eastern).

Escape Artists

Venus Williams made a valiant effort to come back from 5-7 3-4* down to defeat Jelena Jankovic 7-5 6-4 6-1. I love it when Venus refuses to lose!

"Super" Mario Ancic did the same against poor little Kolya Davydenko (from 5-7 1-4), who looked incredibly despondent after losing the second set. Ancic somehow found a second wind after looking haggard and tired early in the second to take it 5-7 7-6 6-3. This is Ancic's second  resurrection this week against a top 10 player; he had another come back from James Blake earlier in Hamburg. Ancic, or Mario An-choke (*snicker* *snicker*) as his detractors call him, can hopefully put his naysayers to rest. That last set was very Crane Kick. Well done!

Also, Dinara Safina, Marat's baby sis, shocked Dementieva 6-1 6-1 the day after ousting Clijsters in Roma. Nice run.

Wilson Announces New Williams Sisters-Inspired Rackets

So someone still believes in Venus and Serena Williams' tennis careers.

From Tennis Week: Wilson Launches New Williams Sisters Rackets

Venus Williams is now Divine and Serena Williams will take up with a tennis Gypsy. Wilson announced today it is expanding its exclusive W line of women’s high performance racquets with two new models " created and inspired by Venus and Serena Williams."

Venus unveiled her new racquet, the "W5 Divine Iris" in Warsaw last week. Serena, who has not played a match since falling to Daniela Hantuchova at the Australian Open in January, is expected to introduce the "W3 Gypsy Rose" in tournament play prior to the start of the U.S. Open in August — if Serena does in fact fulfill her announced plans to return to tournament tennis "by the end of the summer." ...

Venus Changes Rackets

From Tennis Week: Venus' New Stick

Venus Williams returned to tournament tennis in Warsaw this week sporting a new look and wielding what appears to be a new stick.

The Wimbledon champion was wearing braids with red highlights and swinging what looks to be a new multi-colored Wilson racquet.

While it's common for players to repaint their favorite frames to promote a racquet-manufacturer's latest model, a Wilson spokesperson told Tennis Week Williams, who has played with the Wilson nCode n4 in recent years, is using a new model.

"Venus is using a new Wilson racket — an announcement is forthcoming," the Wilson spokesperson said.

Venus Williams Returns With Victory

From Reuters: Venus Williams earns first victory of year

Venus Williams earned her first victory of 2006 on Wednesday when she defeated Urszula Radwanska 6-3 6-3 to reach the second round of the Warsaw Cup.

The seventh-seeded American, who was beaten in the first round of the Australian Open in her only other match this year, had managed just one win since reaching the quarter-finals of the 2005 U.S. Open after suffering elbow and arm injuries.

Williamses Medically Cleared to Practice

Finally some good tennis news on the Venus and Serena Williams front, albeit a bit cryptic.

From the Sun-Sentinel: Venus, Serena are cleared to resume practicing

Doctors have given medical clearances for Venus and Serena Williams to resume practicing, according to a source.

The sisters are expected to return to the court in the next two or three days and are hopeful of rejoining the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour for the Family Circle Cup April 10-16.

Venus Williams Shows Up... To Play Video Games

From the Miami Herald: A day to stay inside and play

A day after announcing she had withdrawn from the NASDAQ-100 Open with an elbow injury, Venus Williams showed up at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park and took on rival Maria Sharapova in a hotly contested match before rain set in and suspended the afternoon action for nearly five hours.

Williams' serve was ferocious, and Sharapova's slice looked particularly lethal.

OK, so the two players were in jeans and sandals, seated in an air-conditioned tent, hands on joysticks, staring at virtual versions of themselves on a giant video screen. But still, it was as much fun as Williams, a three-time champion in Key Biscayne, will have here this week.

''I miss my job, and hope to be back really soon,'' Williams said after her promotional match for the new video game TopSpin2. ``But this was really fun. I like the video Venus. And I got to play Roger Federer in singles. That was something I don't usually get to do.''

Venus Williams Withdraws from Nasdaq

Aargh!  When did Venus Williams sprain a ligament in her right elbow? 

From the AP: Venus Williams withdraws at Key Biscayne

Three-time champion Venus Williams withdrew Wednesday from the Nasdaq-100 Open, citing a ligament sprain in her right elbow...

"It has always been a thrill to play near my home," Williams said in a statement, "and I deeply regret that I will not have the opportunity to compete at the Nasdaq-100 Open this year. My rehabilitation continues to progress, and I look forward to returning to competition in the very near future."

Venus Sticks Up for Serena

Good for Venus.

From The Herald Sun: Venus Williams defends sister

VENUS Williams has come to the defence of younger sister Serena, saying the defending champ can overcome a lack of fitness at the Australian Open.

Venus, who has been battling injuries of her own in the lead-up to the Open, said Serena was upbeat despite gibes about her weight.

"Serena is OK. I usually don't like to speak for her but I can say she's in good spirits," Venus said.

"I think she would have liked to have no injuries and be healthy but obviously this isn't an option.

"She's an amazing competitor more than anything and even if she's not 100 per cent she'll bank on her ability to compete and use her determination."

Venus' Mystery Injury

Another injury for Venus Williams.  I wish I knew whether to blame her for not conditioning her body well enough to avoid all of these injuries, or to feel sorry for her for being ridiculously prone to injury.

From the AP: Venus Williams injured ahead of Australian Open

Venus Williams sustained an undiagnosed injury at an exhibition tournament Thursday, but still managed to win in straight sets.

After a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Sania Mirza at the Champions Challenge, Williams said she wasn't sure what her injury was because her physical therapist isn't in Hong Kong, only revealing she felt "something's off-balance in my back, or pelvis.''

She didn't think the injury was serious, but limited her mobility.

"I think it's something that they can fix,'' she said. "I was in pain. It was really tough to move and I couldn't move fast.''...

Williams said she wanted to stay on court because she won't be playing any more tournaments before the Australian Open, which starts Jan. 16. She took an injury time-out in the first set during the match against Mirza.

Venus and Serena to Work Out With Australian Coach Before Aussie Open

From The Herald Sun: Sisters sweat on Vic coach

SERENA and Venus Williams will attempt to arrest a perceived slide from dominance by turning Melbourne Park into the house of pain before the Australian Open.

The sisters do not plan to appear in any Australian lead-up events before the January 16-29 grand slam event.

The duo, who each nailed a major this season, will instead arrive in Melbourne on January 8 and work out with Victorian coach Mark Hlawaty.

The daily sessions will provide the foundation that the Americans consider sufficient to re-establish a fading aura.

Williamses in People Magazine

It's not much, but Venus and Serena Williams made the gossip page in People  Magazine.  I'm sure Venus will be glad to read she used to date Brett Ratner.

The Single Life
Tennis-star siblings Venus and Serena Williams are single and loving every minute of it. "We're going to get T-shirts that say, 'I'm single,' and on the back it says, 'So is my sister,' " says Serena (Venus's ex is director Brett Ratner). They may be content flying solo romantically, but professionally the sisters have plans to pair up: Venus, who's been taking fashion design classes, hopes to join in on Serena's Aneres clothing line. "If she'll have me," Venus says.

But first comes the Australian Open, which starts Jan. 16. Venus, healed from nagging knee injuries, says she's ready to hit the court. "I'm feeling good," the three-time Wimbledon champ told us before visiting the Ronald McDonald House in Washington, D.C., where the sisters played a charity match. "I'm getting ready for the world."

Williams Re-trial Won't Interfere With Tennis

I've heard nothing in this trial that made me think Venus or Serena Williams broke any laws, but the idea that the re-trial is being postponed until at least November of 2006 "in deference to Venus and Serena Williams' tennis season" is laughable.  Since when has either of them hesitated to take a few weeks off during the season?

From the AP: Venus, Serena re-trial off until late '06

A breach-of-contract lawsuit contending that tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams and their father reneged on promises to play in a 2001 "Battle of the Sexes" match won't be retried until late next year, attorneys in the case said Friday...

A new trial will not be held until at least November 2006 in deference to Venus and Serena Williams' tennis season.

Williams Mistrial

Note the end of the article where the jurors say they were leaning against the Williams side and didn't believe Venus and Serena's testimony, but were sympathetic toward Venus and Serena because they felt they were only trying to please their father.

And if anyone is a really crazy Williams fan, if you follow the article link you can actually read transcripts from the trial! 

From the Palm Beach Post: Mistrial declared in Williams case

A two-week-long trial on a multimillion-dollar breach of contract lawsuit against Venus and Serena Williams ended Tuesday — game, set, match — before attorneys even had the chance to lob the case to the jury.

An angry Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Winikoff declared a mistrial, blasting an attorney representing the tennis phenoms' father for asking a witness a question that the judge said blatantly violated a court order.

"That testimony — that question by counsel — was outrageous," Winikoff told jurors before sending the seven men and women home...

Mistrial in Williams Lawsuit

Now they get to do this whole mess all over again.  Something to look forward to for the Williamses next offseason?

From the AP: Mistrial declared in Williams lawsuit

A judge declared a mistrial Tuesday in a lawsuit by promoters claiming that Venus and Serena Williams reneged on a deal to play in a proposed 2001 "Battle of the Sexes" event against male tennis players

Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Jeffrey A. Winicoff granted a motion for a mistrial made by John Romano, attorney for promoters Carol Clarke and Keith Rhodes, during the third week of testimony in their lawsuit. It was not immediately clear when or if the case would return to court.

Promoter Testifies in Williams Trial

I'm beginning to feel like I'm following a soap opera here.  Even Serena should be happy to get back to tennis after this.

From the AP: Promoter: Williamses' father claimed authority to make deals

A woman who wanted to promote a "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match in 2001 starring Venus and Serena Williams testified Monday that their father claimed repeatedly he had full authority to negotiate the proposed event...

"He said that he did their business deals for them and he had authority to do their deals," said Clarke, who has known Richard Williams since 1997 and worked with him on past business arrangements. "I absolutely relied on the fact that this was correct, that he had this authority."...

Richard Williams Testifies at Trial

From the Palm Beach Post: Williams sisters' dad claims deceit by promoter friend

Richard Williams fought back tears on Thursday while telling a jury how a trusted friend duped him into signing a document agreeing to have his famous tennis-playing daughters participate in a battle-of-the-sexes tennis match.

"I actually considered her my sister," Williams said of Carol Clarke, who is seeking millions from him and his daughters in a breach-of-contract lawsuit. "I had no idea she would deceive or decept me."

Williams Sisters Tour - Washington Edition

From the Washington Post: Big Sister Beats Lil' Sister

It's tricky business to draw meaningful conclusions from a tennis match that opens with the two competitors skipping onto court arm-in-arm with Ronald McDonald. But that's how last night's exhibition by Venus and Serena Williams began at MCI Center, with the sport's most famous siblings taking the court shortly after gospel singer CeCe Winans, Dunbar High School's drum line and jazz saxophonist Mike Phillips had warmed up the crowd of roughly 7,000...

Venus and Serena Testify in Court

I'd love to hear the dinner conversation in the Williams household over this one.  It's pretty clear Richard Williams stepped over the line early in Venus and Serena's careers with this one - perhaps on account of his inexperience in the field at that time- but why Venus and Serena are supposed to be at fault I have no idea.

From the AP: Venus Williams: Father could not authorize "Battle of Sexes"

Tennis star Venus Williams testified Wednesday that her father, Richard Williams, played a role in negotiating endorsement deals when she was a young rising star but could not commit her to play in a proposed "Battle of the Sexes" match in 2001 against male tennis players.

"I sign my own agreements. I make my own decisions. No one can for me," Venus Williams testified, noting with a laugh that her father didn't even know beforehand that she planned to move out of her parents' home six years ago...

Williams Sisters Exhibition Tour Rolls On

From The Plain Dealer: Serving a much higher purpose

Venus Williams fiddled with the courtside microphone a bit before she finally got it to work.

"Thank you, Cleveland," she shouted after her 6-4, 6-4 victory over her sister Serena as the Williams Sisters Tour played to a crowd of approximately 6,000 at The Q arena on Thursday night.

In reality, Cleveland should be thanking the Williams sisters, whose first trip to Cleveland was a whirlwind of activity from early morning until the match wound up at 10:45 p.m...

Williamses Back in Action

If you consider exhibition tennis to be action.

From the AP: Williams sisters kickoff exhibition tour

Venus and Serena Williams sat in awe, smiling and clapping as the T.T. Minor Tumblers made continuous tumbling runs.

"I could never flip like that,'' Serena told the crowd in the small, packed elementary school gymnasium Thursday morning. "I used to want to be a gymnast.''...

Venus Wins Award

Venus Williams received the "Comeback" award at the Glamour Women of the Year awards.

Obligatory arrival photo in fancy dress here.

Update: Reuters has a brief one minute videoclip from the event, including some words from Venus, here (look under "entertainment")

Venus Attends Beyonce Concert

Venus Williams attended a Beyonce concert at Cipriani Wall Street in New York last night.  The concert was part of a series intended to help revitalize lower Manhattan.

From Hello Magazine: Beyonce Dazzles at Glitzy Big Apple Concert

Beyonce wound up a series of glamorous New York concerts in glittering style when she performed at the Cipriani Wall Street venue on Tuesday night in front of an eclectic mix of guests including Sarah Ferguson, Sting and Venus Williams...

...tennis champ turned fashion designer Venus Williams had poured herself into a slinky black basque-bodiced dress.

You can see pictures of Venus at the event at NewsCom here (you may have to enter Guest as your password).

Venus Williams Pulls Out of Philly

Venus Williams has pulled out of the upcoming Advanta Championships in Philadelphia because of her knee injury. 

Amelie Mauresmo and Elena Dementieva, however, have been added to the tournament.

Those of you who are better with numbers than me will have to figure out the ramifications of that on who qualifies for the year-end championships.