[SV_Fan]

Question:

What exactly is wrong with Venus' technique? It's criticized alot on this board.

[Sally Todd]

What's wrong? I'm more of a Venus fan than a Serena fan, but where do we start?

Both Venus's serve and her forehand have a lot more hitches than Serena's fluid game. So the second either becomes off-kilter it's error time, which can last for strings of games and even a full match.

That said peak Venus on grass is much more satisfying to watch—to me, anyway—because unlike Serena she plays a classic all-court grass game with more frequent forays to the net. Her last few Wimbledon titles delivered the kind of net-charging grass court tennis that people are often under the delusion that Federer plays. In fact it's Venus (along with Mauresmo) who held the last stand of an era of classic grass court tennis.

What any true Venus fan will tell you is that the fallibility of her game is part of the overall package and even why we love her because it's such a source of drama. She keeps you on the knife-edge rooting for her. That cliffhanger win over Davenport in the Wimbledon final was ultimate Venus, something no other player will match in terms of operatic drama.

I've always felt like that last USO encounter where Venus gifted set points galore to little sis was the ultimate turning point in their careers. I might be wrong, but Venus hasn't won a major since while Serena went on to win that very tournament and become far less meteoric and more dependable.

[TPlaya8]

Originally Posted by Sally Todd

What's wrong? I'm more of a Venus fan than a Serena fan, but where do we start?

Both Venus's serve and her forehand have a lot more hitches than Serena's fluid game. So the second either becomes off-kilter it's error time, which can last for strings of games and even a full match.

That said peak Venus on grass is much more satisfying to watch—to me, anyway—because unlike Serena she plays a classic all-court grass game with more frequent forays to the net. Her last few Wimbledon titles delivered the kind of net-charging grass court tennis that people are often under the delusion that Federer plays. In fact it's Venus (along with Mauresmo) who held the last stand of an era of classic grass court tennis.

What any true Venus fan will tell you is that the fallibility of her game is part of the overall package and even why we love her because it's such a source of drama. She keeps you on the knife-edge rooting for her. That cliffhanger win over Davenport in the Wimbledon final was ultimate Venus, something no other player will match in terms of operatic drama.

I've always felt like that last USO encounter where Venus gifted set points galore to little sis was the ultimate turning point in their careers. I might be wrong, but Venus hasn't won a major since while Serena went on to win that very tournament and become far less meteoric and more dependable.

Great Post And I too believe that US Open QF was the turning point. The way Venus got to those winning positions in both sets really made me feel like at their best she has the goods to beat Serena especially on fast surfaces. To me she dictated play and outhit Serena more in that match than she did at Wimbledon that year. Only difference was mentally she didn't play the important points well like she did at Wimbledon.

I still believe the way Serena responed and acted after Venus' win at Wimbledon affected Venus' mentallity in that US Open match.

[new-york]

No one beats Peakrena.

[jrollaneres25]

This match displays the closest we've seen of them near both of their peaks at the same time. Serena came out on top, but she still had to fend off a match point. I think it's safe to say Peak Vee and Peak Rena are more than likely EVENLY MATCHED!

[Six Feet Under]

Peak Marion > WTA

[MrProdigy555]

Originally Posted by jrollaneres25

This match displays the closest we've seen of them near both of their peaks at the same time. Serena came out on top, but she still had to fend off a match point. I think it's safe to say Peak Vee and Peak Rena are more than likely EVENLY MATCHED!

That was not Serena's peak though.

You could tell how worn out/tired Serena was, as well as Venus. All the players looked dead that year in the WTA Championships.

[RVD]

Originally Posted by jrollaneres25

This match displays the closest we've seen of them near both of their peaks at the same time. Serena came out on top, but she still had to fend off a match point. I think it's safe to say Peak Vee and Peak Rena are more than likely EVENLY MATCHED!

Not so sure if I could call this their 'peak'. But GREAT match and great example of their style of play.
However even with this example Serena's clutch-serving, desire to win (mental strength), and return game demonstrated the difference between the two. I suppose it depends on ones perspective though.

Best points of the match:
That incredible top-spin lob from Serena at 08:36.
That magnificent volley from Serena at the net @ 11:53.
The athleticism and shot selections starting @13:41, won by Venus.
And the wonderful BH-DTL shot by Serena.

Aside:
I wonder what people think of Venus' "psychology" in this match?
She even started grunting with maximum effort in the 3rd set.
Nice contribution jrollaneres25.

[Passierschlag]

Venus was such an incredible player in her prime.