Venus's best days are over!

[davey25]

It is interesting to see that some people think Venus will be returning to the top. I dont see that happening at all, in fact I could see her being a perennial 3rd round to quarterfinal slam performer for the rest of her career.
Of course I could be wrong, but that is what I forecast barring some redoals on some of her technically flawed shots, forehand, service motion. Had it not been for some mid-2003 injuries she probably would still be at the top for the near future, but she has lost all her momentum, and players are not scared of her anymore. That being said her sister, while no longer dominant, is still a major contender. Venus though has not seemed like a serious contender in a long time, her losses seem to have little impact on the big picture of what is going to happen at a tournament towards the end.

Before this tournament the attention seemed of Serena, Sharapova, Davenport, Kuznetsova, to a lesser extent Mauresmo and Dementieva. Given her recent success, or lack thereof, Venus was almost a forgotten figure, a footnote. It will get even moreso if Henin and Clijsters make successful comebacks. When she lost to Molik it seemed most barely took note of its implications in the tournament, just felt excited for Molik's good win but that was about it. She has become a much smaller figure on the scene.

Look in the last 8 months at Venus's record. Of what I would term "significant" players she has lost 8 times and won only 2. There are many players, while respecting her power and athleticsm, feel they can play and hit with her, back that belief up on the court, and exploit the technical flaws of Venus's forehand and second serve. I believe this to continue.

[The tennis guy]

She still might win a slam some day - never say never, but her best days are behind her is true. Once her power is not as intimidating, her weakness is just too obvious for her to win consistently.

[davey25]

Exactly the problem I see for her. Her power, while still tremendous, is not as intimidating and not as superior to her opponents as it once was. Without that factor heavily in her favor she is in big trouble.

[PumpCann]

Being a Venus fan, it is hard for me to swallow. I am open minded, and I don't agree she can't compete at a high level, I will say at what point do you concede and go through the motions, or get mad and work on your flaws. I see Venus winning at least 2 more slams, but I am bias, so I love the way she fights, and I know that when she gets her contact point,and footwork in check her forhand and confidence will just be off the chart. I feel her flaws are more mental then technical,but what do I know? Maybe it is a combination if both. You don't make it to 10 grand slam finals for nothing.

[davey25]

She could fix her flaws if she hired a professional coach, but lets face it, it is painfully apparent she or Serena would never consider doing that. Serena can still be a major contender though since she has have the obvious technical flaws her sister has, she has a few but they are more minor. Venus though needs complete reconstruction on a few of her strokes now that the womens field has upped their level.

[spinbalz]

Venus biggest problem is perhaps her lack of will to make the efforts needed, commit herself into the game, and train hard enough to come back in the Top 3

[davey25]

Why waste your time with that when you can just say, "I am still the best player in the world, when I lose it is because I am having am just giving away all my points with errors, and may opponent is playing unbelievable."

[Andy Zarzuela]

Venus will be back. If Capriati can make an Ultimate comeback, then so can Venus. Capriati had some HORRIBLE losses to alot of unknowns in 2004. I thought Venus was playing much better than her, except Capriati performed slightly better at the slams. I definitely see Venus being extremely motivated by little sister's 2005 Australian Open run. They're games are so similar.....I even like Venus' backhand and net play better, but she is drained with confidence for now. I think what keeps her from winning her close matches is that she is SO SCARED and timid on court.

[viper930]

Venus will be back. If Capriati can make an Ultimate comeback, then so can Venus. Capriati had some HORRIBLE losses to alot of unknowns in 2004. I thought Venus was playing much better than her, except Capriati performed slightly better at the slams. I definitely see Venus being extremely motivated by little sister's 2005 Australian Open run. They're games are so similar.....I even like Venus' backhand and net play better, but she is drained with confidence for now. I think what keeps her from winning her close matches is that she is SO SCARED and timid on court.

1. Serena's backhand is better than Venus'. Any person who knows what he's talking about would tell you this.

2. Venus is finished, Serena may have a slam or two left in her but Venus is finished. The competition in the WTA is constantly rising and there are so many more new young stars that are quickly rising now than ever. She's done. Want more info? Read my post in how people hate the williams sisters.

[Arc]

Venus' backhand owns Serena's.

Serena's forehand owns Venus' forehand.

Venus' serve is more powerful but Serena's is more reliable.

Equivalent at night from the both of them --

Not gonna comment on the oblivious comments that they are done winning. Bleh -- whatever.

[Andy Zarzuela]

Venus has the better backhand. Her forehand is really good when she's confident, but in a mediocre match, 70% of her errors come from that wing...

[kevin]

Not sure anyone else notice this, I observed that both sisters are swinging much slower nowadays. Others can easily read their balls.

[christo]

Where's Richard these days?

[davey25]

Venus will be back. If Capriati can make an Ultimate comeback, then so can Venus. Capriati had some HORRIBLE losses to alot of unknowns in 2004. I thought Venus was playing much better than her, except Capriati performed slightly better at the slams. I definitely see Venus being extremely motivated by little sister's 2005 Australian Open run. They're games are so similar.....I even like Venus' backhand and net play better, but she is drained with confidence for now. I think what keeps her from winning her close matches is that she is SO SCARED and timid on court.

Capriati made the ultimate comeback in the year 2001 when Venus was distraced early in the year by outside interest, Serena had mental blocks in big matches, Davenport was struggling with motivation after the dissapointment of losing the Wimbledon and U.S open finals to Venus the prior year, Hingis was going through a confidence crisis, Clijsters and Henin were still in the developmental stages, Mauresmo underachieving. Basically she was in the right place at the right time.

Given the number of contenders near the top, not all that great, but still all near their own peaks, I dont think it will be as easy for Venus. On top of that she isnt willing to fix any areas of her game, Capriati back then was. Venus believes her whole game is perfect and if she loses she just didnt use it all that day.

[TheNatural]

Davey, I agree-- her technical flaws are pretty easy to observe.

But i was curious as to what you thought Serenas etchnical flaws were.

I was going to metion what Kevin said ...I'm wondering why Serena takes slow deliberate swings on her forehand. She used to swing faster-she still does now but only ocassionally.Her forehand technique looks pretty good to me -so why doesnt she just swing faster all the time.

[davey25]

Well I find Serenas technical flaws much more minor. Her takeback on the forehand is find, but the follow through is a bit late at times, and she pulls up on the ball a bit occasionally. Her volley would be the most obvious though, where she tends to drop the raquet head too much and too soon.