THE WILLIAMS SISTERS CALL NEXT

What you see is a pair of exquisite young black women against the mostly white backdrop of professional tennis. What you hear is the click-clacking of the beads they wear in their braided hair. What you feel is the awesome power and extreme confidence they bring to the tennis court. Venus and Serena Williams stand apart.

They stood apart the first time I saw them, at a 1990 fundraiser in Los Angeles. Back then, they were cute little girls with big tennis racquets. Venus was 10; Serena just turning 9. Already the word was out: They were special.
Venus, now 18, and the elder by 15 months, already stands near the top of the women's rankings (finishing fifth in 1998). Her serve, once clocked at a record 127 mph, can snap your head back as it whizzes by. The power and depth of her ground strokes can drive you off the court. And her court coverage-your winner seems never out of her reach-can rip out an opponent's heart. At 6'1'' and 168 pounds, Venus Starr Williams is the total package. And she's getting better as she gains more court savvy.

A bit more gregarious than her sister, Serena (5'10'', 145) is equally dangerous. Just ask Monica Seles or Mary Pierce or Lindsay Davenport-she has beaten all three. Serena, who finished the 1998 season ranked 20th, can't yet match her big sister's monster serve. But, like Venus, Serena leaves opponents dumbfounded when she darts across the court to return an apparent winner. She, too, is gaining better court sense.

Who's better? Right now, Venus is. But that could change. Many, including their father, Richard, feel Serena could be the better of the two. As for me, I just don't know. One thing's certain: They'll be fan magnets at August's U.S. Open.

To their credit, neither Venus nor Serena claims the Williams' family tennis crown. Rather, when pushed, they point to each other. It's another reason they stand out-a shared love and affection for one another. As a WTA Tour mentor for Venus, I've often been in their company. In fact, I think I'm among the few who've seen them without their trademark beads. They are so close, they can communicate without words: a look, a smile, a raised eyebrow.

Unfortunately, the thing that could differentiate Venus and Serena is injuries, which can derail any athletic career. Already, both have been bothered by various ailments. Venus pulled out of the Chase Championships in November because of a chronic knee problem. Serena retired during a match at Wimbledon with an injured calf.

If they stay healthy, there may be no stopping either of them. There's a lot to see and hear and feel about this sister act. With or without racquets, they stand out. And they like it that way.

Print Article . Email Article. Subscribe to The Magazine