Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Sports Commentary

    Venus Williams Still Effective

    Ron WynnBy Ron WynnJanuary 27, 2017Updated:January 31, 2017No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    Ron Wynn Sports View
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    In most families anyone who has already won seven major titles would be the most famous member. When you add being a pioneer for both Black tennis players and women seeking pay equity in sports, it would seem impossible that anyone with those credentials could ever be eclipsed or overlooked.

    But even when Venus Williams was beginning her career, her proud father Richard was telling the tennis world he had another daughter he considered an even better prospect for stardom. The rest became history, as Serena Williams has emerged as arguably the greatest woman player (some would argue best period) in history.

    As the Australian Open, the first major of the 2017 tennis season continues this week, the biggest story remains Serena Williams’ quest for a 23rd major title. That would break the tie with Steffi Graf for second all time, and allow her to aim at Margaret Court’s record of 25.

    However a second story emerged Sunday. Venus Williams won 6-3, 7-5 over Mona Barthes in the tournament’s fourth round. That put her into the quarterfinals for the ninth time. She is now the only player in her quarter of the draw. She faced number 24 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Williams hasn’t made it past the Australian Open quarters since 2003, when she lost to Serena. But through Sunday Venus hadn’t lost a set. In her win over Mona Barthes she got 90 percent of her points on first serves. She had 30 winners and four aces, with zero double faults.

    Advertisement

    At 36, no one expects much anymore from Venus Williams, unless she is paired in doubles competition with Serena. She has battled illness, injuries and the inevitable affects of aging. She first made the Australian Open quarterfinals almost 20 years ago (1998), an eternity in any sport and almost two for tennis. While Serena remains a prominent title threat, many have been awaiting a retirement announcement from Venus. But she sounded anything but done Sunday after her victory,

    “I was really challenged to play my best tennis,” Williams said. “It’s wonderful to get through to the quarterfinals against an opponent who’s on fire. This is what you do all the hard work in the offseason for. It’s wonderful to be able to advance even further.”

    That hardly is the kind of talk coming from anyone who has lost their competitive fire, or is nearing the end in their mind. She seems every bit as eager and anxious to win as ever, and is giving no indication retirement is around the corner.

    No matter how she does the rest of the way in Melbourne, Venus Williams stature and importance are secure. But one or two more Grand Slam titles would be a great addition to a glittering legacy.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Ron Wynn

    Related Posts

    Fisk makes more athletic history

    March 13, 2025

    Rooney rule under scrutiny

    February 12, 2025

    Carthon made scapegoat for Titans disaster

    January 16, 2025

    Titans need major overhaul

    December 11, 2024

    Americans take gold in both men’s, women’s basketball

    August 14, 2024

    Biles returns another huge Olympic story

    July 18, 2024

    Comments are closed.

    Business

    FUNdraising Good Times Survival through partnerships, collaborations, and mergers

    May 14, 2025

    Target Boycotts and its Effect on Both Sides of the Black Dollar

    May 6, 2025

    FedEx to Launch FedEx Easy Returns at 3,000 Locations Across the US, Supported by Blue Yonder

    May 2, 2025
    1 2 3 … 382 Next
    Education
    Education

    Local UTM student recognized at Honors Day

    By Tribune StaffMay 21, 2025

    MARTIN, Tenn. – May 15, 2025 – LOCAL UTM STUDENT RECOGNIZED ON HONORS DAY – Jocelyn…

    MTSU provides 300-plus area girls solid career choices at second annual ‘Ladies in Concrete’ event

    May 16, 2025

    From Stratford to Harvard: GEAR UP Student Earns Full Scholarship to Ivy League School

    May 14, 2025

    Austin Peay State University graduates 1,400 students at Spring 2025 commencement

    May 14, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/