SPORTS ROUNDUP
Agent denies Serena is finished for the year
Miami Herald Staff and Wire Services
Serena Williams' agent denied published reports Tuesday that the former world No. 1 is not playing anymore this year.
Williams, winner of seven Grand Slam titles, dropped to No. 107 in the latest rankings and hasn't played since January. She has been slowed by chronic knee injuries and lack of fitness, and some say her outside interests have taken a toll on her once-powerful game. In the past few months, she has been photographed at Oscars parties, South Beach clubs and appeared on The Bernie Mac Show. She has insisted she remains dedicated to tennis but has been physically unable to perform.
A report in the English newspaper The Guardian said Williams ``is expected to announce shortly that she will not play any more tennis this year.''
Her agent, Jill Smoller, reached by phone, refuted the report. ``Serena will be in L.A. [Wednesday], and we plan to release something about the next few tournaments, but as far as I know, she has not said she won't play the rest of the year.
``I don't know where that came from.''
Williams has played only 31 matches since the end of the 2004 season, and neither she nor her sister, Venus (elbow injury), has played since the Australian Open. Serena's low ranking means she no longer is guaranteed entry into major tournaments. She would have to receive a wild card or work her way through qualifying rounds.
Agent denies Serena is finished for the year
Miami Herald Staff and Wire Services
Serena Williams' agent denied published reports Tuesday that the former world No. 1 is not playing anymore this year.
Williams, winner of seven Grand Slam titles, dropped to No. 107 in the latest rankings and hasn't played since January. She has been slowed by chronic knee injuries and lack of fitness, and some say her outside interests have taken a toll on her once-powerful game. In the past few months, she has been photographed at Oscars parties, South Beach clubs and appeared on The Bernie Mac Show. She has insisted she remains dedicated to tennis but has been physically unable to perform.
A report in the English newspaper The Guardian said Williams ``is expected to announce shortly that she will not play any more tennis this year.''
Her agent, Jill Smoller, reached by phone, refuted the report. ``Serena will be in L.A. [Wednesday], and we plan to release something about the next few tournaments, but as far as I know, she has not said she won't play the rest of the year.
``I don't know where that came from.''
Williams has played only 31 matches since the end of the 2004 season, and neither she nor her sister, Venus (elbow injury), has played since the Australian Open. Serena's low ranking means she no longer is guaranteed entry into major tournaments. She would have to receive a wild card or work her way through qualifying rounds.
