The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : ‘We would love to come back’

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‘We would love to come back’

Kalyan Ashok

Bangalore: The clash that every tennis fan wished to see is finally over.

Williams versus Williams did not produce Grand Slam sizzle but certainly the match had high quality, which saw neither sister conceding much ground to the other. Serena held on for a three-set win, with the decider going to a tie-breaker.

The record in the Williams’s encounters stands 8-7 in favour of Serena. While Serena insists that the head-to-head record doesn’t really matter to her, Venus’s losses in the 2002 and 2003 season, when Serena won a string of Grand Slams, would have definitely hurt. Venus, however, has come back stronger.

Venus and Serena rarely play in the same tournament but Venus said that their tour schedules were fixed by their managers.

“We have different managers and we have different schedules and we go according to that. But whenever we get a chance to play together, we are happy about it. It is not pre-planned,” Venus said.

Despite their insistence that they do not compete fiercely with each other, they single out each other as their main rivalThe sisters felt Sania was the best thing that had happened to Indian tennis. “We have a lot of respect for her, her game and she is such a nice girl to be with and it was a pity that she is not around, we hope to see her next time.”

Happy feeling

Venus was happy that she became the first player to receive the equal pay cheque (at Wimbledon). “This was a cause that women players feel strongly about, more than gender-inequality, we always feel, all people are equal,” said Venus.

Serena was also happy with the changes that were being made on the WTA Tour. “The season is getting shorter and they have cut down on the events, which in the long run is good for players and it helps us get enough time to rest and recover and play our best. Also, there have been hints of better prize money, which is good for us and for the younger players who are coming on the scene,” said Serena.

On doping

Serena also dismissed the charges of drug and match-fixing in women’s tennis. “I for one believe there should be a drug-free world and not just tennis alone. Ours is a clean sport and we hope it stays that way.”

Serena said that neither of them had given a thought about hanging up their racquets. “Personally we don’t think about it and we wish to keep playing some good tennis,” said Serena.

More than everything else, Bangalore Open gave them a taste of India.

“It has been an incredible experience to receive so much warmth and affection from everyone here, we would love to come back. Love You Bangalore, Love you India!”

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