3) Dozens of you wondered, in so many words, what was I smoking when I wrote that Serena Williams might be a little nervous about the recent success of Henin-Hardenne? Writes Veronica of Milan, Italy: "What do mean Serena should be worried? Hello, she's the world's best player and she waxed Henin-Hardenne at Wimbledon! Even John McEnroe concedes that Serena still plays on level above the rest of the women. Remember, Serena was leading in the third set at the French Open before Henin-Hardenne cheated.?"
L. Treadwell of Chicago even dealt me the race card: "I think that the tennis media is desperate to find a Caucasian player who they can praise and put on the level of the Williams sisters."
I reread what I wrote and I don't think it's all that radical. I'm not saying Serena is hiding under the covers or quaking in her Manolo Blahniks over the prospect of playing Henin-Hardenne. But surely there's cause for significant concern. Henin-Hardenne has beaten Serena two of the last three times they've played. Henin-Hardenne has won two of the last three Slams and five other events this year. Despite standing 5-foot-5, 125 pounds or so, she sure doesn't get overpowered much. But above all, Henin-Hardene is supremely confident on the court these days. Unlike so many of her colleagues, Henin-Hardenne is playing fearless tennis and she has shown a willingness to meet the moment. You get the feeling that, simply by virtue of her aura, Serena has beaten a good many top players before she hits the first ball. As we saw at Wimbledon, the faster the surface, the better Serena will fare against Henin-Hardenne. But even on hard courts, I say Serena "only" beats Henin-Hardenne six or seven times out of 10. Given how Serena has run roughshod over everyone else -- Venus included -- this passes for a rivalry. Whatever your take, can we all agree that women's tennis will benefit immensely the next time the two stars who have split the four Majors in 2003 are in the same draw?
L. Treadwell of Chicago even dealt me the race card: "I think that the tennis media is desperate to find a Caucasian player who they can praise and put on the level of the Williams sisters."
I reread what I wrote and I don't think it's all that radical. I'm not saying Serena is hiding under the covers or quaking in her Manolo Blahniks over the prospect of playing Henin-Hardenne. But surely there's cause for significant concern. Henin-Hardenne has beaten Serena two of the last three times they've played. Henin-Hardenne has won two of the last three Slams and five other events this year. Despite standing 5-foot-5, 125 pounds or so, she sure doesn't get overpowered much. But above all, Henin-Hardene is supremely confident on the court these days. Unlike so many of her colleagues, Henin-Hardenne is playing fearless tennis and she has shown a willingness to meet the moment. You get the feeling that, simply by virtue of her aura, Serena has beaten a good many top players before she hits the first ball. As we saw at Wimbledon, the faster the surface, the better Serena will fare against Henin-Hardenne. But even on hard courts, I say Serena "only" beats Henin-Hardenne six or seven times out of 10. Given how Serena has run roughshod over everyone else -- Venus included -- this passes for a rivalry. Whatever your take, can we all agree that women's tennis will benefit immensely the next time the two stars who have split the four Majors in 2003 are in the same draw?
