I’m not one to sugarcoat things, so I’ll just go ahead and declare it. Venus Williams, one of the all-time greats on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, is struggling with her game.
It’s as simple as that.
Since her fairytale run to the final of the US Open a decade ago, I have admired the elder Williams sister for her pride, poise and sportsmanship. Her commitment to the world of tennis has been commendable – she’s outlasted many of her peers who have sashayed in and out of retirement.
But worrying patterns of defeat have blighted her 2009 season, and I’ve seen nothing like it during her glittering career.
Last year was a tour de force of success for Venus, who captured her fifth Wimbledon crown and won back-to-back hardcourt titles at Zurich and Doha. In the latter event, she outfoxed the crème of the crop, including sister Serena and the top ranked Jelena Jankovic.
Early this year, Venus appeared to be in pole position to finally win an Australian Open.
But fate had other plans, as the iconic American veteran slumped to a 2nd round defeat at the hands of an unseeded Spaniard.
Her opponent was hitting close to the lines with nothing to lose, so I assured myself that it was just an unlucky loss. Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, would no doubt emerge fighting fit in her next tournament.
Sure enough, the 28-year-old did bounce back into top gear the following month, besting sister Serena in a thrilling semifinal en route to a championship victory amongst the Dubai dunes.
The following week, she trekked to Acapulco, winning her first clay court event since Istanbul in 2005. This meant that Venus had won four of her last five events. The demure Compton native appeared to be in the prime of her career.
But I couldn’t shake the memories of her Australian Open loss. Was her defeat in Melbourne an ominous sign of things to come?
The downward spiral of a tennis wonder
Despite her phenomenal run to the final of Wimbledon, Venus has been one of this season’s biggest underachievers.
She staved off match points against Lucie Safarova at the French Open, only to be conquered by Agnes Szavay in a 60 64 routing in her following match.
Most recently, Venus was bungled out of Beijing in the 2nd round. Let’s not forget her third round losses in Charleston and Cincinnati, and the times she was sent packing in her maiden matches at Madrid, Toronto and Tokyo.
She managed to struggle through three matches at the US Open, only to lose to eventual champion Kim Clijsters in a puzzling performance punctuated by momentum swings and missed opportunities.
Williams’ recent form in Premiere tournaments has been most disturbing however, with two successive losses to unheralded teen Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the span of a week.
Since SW19 in July, where she sported a heavily-strapped left knee, Venus has stumbled to a 9-6 win-loss record. She also faces a rankings freefall if she can’t defend her Tour Championships title next month.
In fact, this former world number one could be out of the top ten early next year.
With her athleticism and self-belief, Venus Ebony Starr Williams has changed the face of the tennis landscape forever.
She’s stated that she will “win it all” in 2010, and I for one hope Venus can re-summon her demonic serve, and again dominate her foes with unplayable finesse.
But what if she can’t?
Robert Edward Smith is a freelance writer from Melbourne, Australia.
Venus’s results have been up and down for the last six years. This year, they have mainly been down. It’s called getting old.
I don’t think it is about getting old,it is about not having enough variety in their playing style. What worked out when she started no longer cuts it for her now, when all other players do power tennis too. She’s no Justine, we have to admit. I think she doesn’t look after her fitness which is what contributes to her failure as well. Ah well, once a big star turned into a mediocre player.
It could be a combination of becoming older and having a sibling in the limelight. I couldn’t imagine the pressure she gets from Serena stealing the spotlight (especially after the US Open).
Venus Williams is one of the best tennis players out there. So what if she getting a little old. But there has been others older than her still kicking but on the courts.SO I HOPE SHE DOES WIN IT ALL. I MAINLY HOPE SHE WINS THE FRENCH AND WIMBLEDON IN 2010 GO V GO .
I love Venus. She’s a class act. But, it may be time to close out her tennis career before her game gets really bad. You want people to remember you for the great things, not the downhill slide. Just because other players stay in at late 20s, early 30s, doesn’t mean everyone has to. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone!! You’ve done it all!!
I think she still has things to achieve. She has never won the French and Australian Open, so it may be a bit similar as it is with Justine Henin. Also, she has somehow got stuck in Serena’s shadow. She’s still more a sibling to her on the court, it seems and that gives Serena “competitive advantage” as she seems to go for the win with more determination than Venus. Especially in the last Wimbledon, Venus’ play was really weak it seemed to me she did not put up a real fight, maybe knowing that in the end of the day it will remain the family.
Thanks Venus. It has been wonderful to watch you at the tornments and for Phila Futures. You are a classy lady. You project a great model to follow for young girls.
I think it will be interesting to see how Venus defends her points at Doha after winning last year. The pressure will be on to stay in the top 5 especially after being eclipsed in the ranking by Kuznetsova this week. (Kuzi to 3, Venus to 4)
Venus , like Serena are victims of misguided preparation from day 1. Even though “good” intentions from her father were there, “long run”, until, possibly her late 30’s will never come into fruition. Couple with her other interests, we might as well get ready for an early departure. I sure hope I am 200% wrong!
An early departure?! She’s been pro for 14 years! She and Serena have outlasted absolutely every top player from their original generation.
Great article, Robert.
Whenever a player has an “off” year, suspicions start to rise, especially for players over the age of 25. I’d say that Venus probably needs the off season more than most, to give her knee a rest.
“Even the best fall down sometimes…” as the Howie Day song goes.