Williams' sisters are poorly coached.

[Coria]

Venus has not improved her serving at all. She still falters under pressure. She's had poor mechanics on her serve most of her career. Her forehand has often faltered under pressure.

Serena has not developed much touch on the court. She has not developed consistency on either groundstroke in high pressure matches (even low pressure ones). When she's on, she's a powerhouse and capable of ****ing people away, like she did to Capriati at Wimbledon. But, she doesn't sustain it.

The Williams' sisters make far too many unforced errors. Often, their tennis is sloppy--flat out sloppy. At 23 and 25 years of age, they should be so much better. Instead, they've (particulary Venus) have regressed. Serena has excellent mental toughness and can win many matches even with all of her errors. But, she's so up and down in her play.

Neither sister will ever reach their potential and will simply be ONE OF the best, not the best--unless they get some new and improved coaching. The sloppiness and error-prone style of their play is ridiculous for how long they've been playing. Their father did some great things for them, but he also fostered a style of play that makes them be their own worst enemies. I'm so sick of watching all of their stupid errors. They should be much further along. Their results show.

 

[alan-n]

I wouldn't even go as far as considering any of them one of best. The fact is both of them took over women's tennis by hitting the ball as hard as they can and over-powering the field. Now the field has caught up with them and young girls like Sharapova can take the power game back to them or cause them to make mental mistakes costing the match. Both played the game with pure brute force, not much staying power.

 

[whozon3rd]

It really makes me wonder about the consistency of the Western forehand and its vulnerability to errors.

 

[verdasco67]

the william sisters domination is over, the rise of the russian's has begun.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

They may not *only* be poorly coached. They may not have the drive/passion/desire to really be the best.

- KK

 

[Ronaldo]

Both want to do anything but play tennis

 

[Coria]

Their lack of focus on tennis is ridiculous. Why can't they wait until their careers are over until they do all this fashion and tv stuff?

Serena had said she thought she could be the best ever. She has six majors. At the same age, Graf had 12. And Graf was much more focused on tennis.

 

[Andy Zarzuela]

The Williams story is not over. I mean, look what they have been through since the tail end of 2003. Venus tears a stomach muscle, Serena has knee surgery, and not to mention that their closest sister other than each other was MURDERED!!! And to top that off, I heard that the judge filed a mistrial, and as every moment goes by, the trial priorities are getting slim. I hate that for them. They are bright young ladies with alot of talent, and they know that there are more important things in life than tennis. I'm sick of people bashing the Williams sisters.
________
LovelyWendie

 

[drakulie]

Andy,I agree with lots of what you said.However, I would not exactly call them "bright young ladies", especially Serena who makes lots of pretty stupid comments.

I think that is why so many people are turned off by them. They are extremely arrogant, and try to make other players feel as if their competition is beneath them, inculding the sport.

 

[tennisflyboy]

Please Andy.... These girls have been out of control lately with their attitudes! Venus not as much as Serena... To be able to claim to be the best players in the world, you have to work extremely hard in order to back up those claims... which they used to do, and haven't been doing. Why do you think Serena is dating a fat, ugly white guy...? Because he's a hollywood producer... and she knows she's not talented enough to get into acting without dating this guy... God help us all if they're are in movies! They should stick to tennis... and actually train hard, and work on their weakness'

 

[Perfect]

the william sisters domination is over, the rise of the russian's has begun.

I like the Russian's games(Sharapova, Myskina, Kuznetsova, Safina, Dementieva) better then the Williams'. At least, even with their extra-curricular activities they want to play tennis, unlike the Williams. I don't like either of their games and I hope Serena gets crushed by Maria in their semis match.

 

[SteveI]

Hi,

Ok here is my take... The Williams Sisters when they became a force in tennis, they could just hit the ball thur the court and their power was just too much for most. They did not need to be precise and accurate to win points.. in addition, they did not need to, in most cares hit more than say 5 balls in any rally to win the point. Now.. they need to hit better shots and more of them to win the same points they took for granted. Same with the serve.. before boom.. anyplace in the box... service winner.. now.. the balls are coming back. Example.. for the average player (Like Me...): You are playing one day, verus a player with much less skill than yourself. All your serves.. are service winners... your forehands are pushing the other player back.. and you are moving forward and putting balls away like crazy. Next day.. you draw a player with much better skills. Now.. all your serves are coming back.. with pace.. the player is moving in on your second serve. You have to hit 5 balls minimum to stay in rallies.. and you are still losing the points.. etc.. etc.

It seems clear that their desire and skill level have not been up-graded.. while many have worked very hard to improve. Bottom line is that they need to improve... get some fire back in their games. No one is scared to play them anymore.. except say players.. 50 and below. Not to say.. they can't or will not do that. They seem not to even want to admit to themselves they need to do something to get back to the top. Good coaching might help.. but I think they might be too far gone for that. The only way to improve is to look at your weaknesses with an objective eye.. they still think they are always in control of each match.. and the match is theirs to win or lose. They have to wake up IMHO.

Have a good one!

Steve

 

[coach]

it's unlikely they will ever be coached by anyone else which is unfortunate. Chang suffered the same fate (hit an early plateau) and could have developed more but also kept "family" as coach.

As far as Serena saying dumb stuff, she's what 23? I'm 44 and still say things I wish I hadn't. Yes, I think she is a bit full of hubris but Agassi was brash at her age and he matured pretty well.

 

[Andy Zarzuela]

I think Venus and Serena could still dominate, Serena is doing a good job keeping her level up, but Venus just has to CALM down in her matches. She was SO tense on every point against Molik. When she missed, she grimaced and had poor body language (almost Davenport like when she's having good fortune on court). Her 2nd serve has improved since this time last year, but not enough to have to rely on hitting it well under pressure. Venus actually had more forehand winners than backhand winners against Molik (because Molik picked on the V.Williams forehand ALOT) but at her height sometimes she can't stay down long enough so they'll plop into the net. Her running groundstrokes are still the best out there (when she's pulled far wide) especially playing "big babe" tennis because her legs are so long and she can rip the cross court or down the line winner. Her net play is REALLY REALLY solid especially considering that's not one of her main masteries (she was raised a baseliner). With her good volleys, she's got that really deadly forceful and accurate swinging volley. At 2003 Wimbledon was when she was playing SO AWESOME. I don't see much difference between that Venus and the Venus now. Except that Venus was much more confident and poised. The Venus now looks VERY scared and timid out on court. I REALLY REALLY hope that Venus is up to that level soon.
________
Nutrition advice

 

[PumpCann]

I hate responding to these type of post, but at least the Williams sisters are in someones head, good or bad I love their style of play. I don't have to defend why I like the Williams sisters nor should they have to defend there lack of Grand Slam Finals or titles as of late. They are not number 1 and 2 in the rankings, but for their fans(yes they have fans) they are number 1 and 2. I think Venus is sruggling a bit, but she never plays well early in the season. Win, loose or draw they are a force to be reckend
with, and Venus has been loosing, but she didn't get ****n off the court by no means, she competes at a high level and never gets credit for leaving it all out there on the court. I think what the Williams sisters nay sayers hate most, is that after the match, they actually have a life outside of tennis. Love them or hate them, I admire the way they compete, and fight for every point.
When is the last slam Safin, has won. Leyton Hewitt, or Moya. Why is that if they don't win every tournament they enter, they are overrated?

Just my 2 cents, I pick Safin and Serena as the 2005 Aus Open Title Holders.

 

[William Bedford]

Both sisters are off their games - funny how it coincided with mommy appearing on the scene. I have seen the two sisters practise on the Wimbledon courts last year. Not very much focus. They talked about clothes, jewelry, cars - everything but tennis. They could have dominated like Graff - but are getting sidelined by designing space boots and dinner dresses for tennis outfits. People kiss their ass everywhere they go - its crazy the extra effort Wimbledon went to for them.......