Players Under the Microscope / Guy McCrea / 08 April 2012 / 2

The WTA has been strengthened by the recent return to tournament play of both Williams sisters. But while Serena is still widely acknowledged as a major threat, Guy McCrea wonders what the future holds for Venus ...

In the immediate aftermath of Venus Williams' three-set defeat to Sam Stosur in Charleston this week, it would have been all too easy to label the loss as a big disappointment for her. After all, the US Open champion is a player Venus has owned throughout her career and there is little doubt that the American was far from her best for large swathes of the contest.

The thing is, you need to bear in mind that it was just her second WTA event since last year's US Open. Frankly, it is remarkable that Venus is even back playing right now as many observers - myself included - had serious doubts we would ever see her on-court again after the discovery that she had Sjogren's Syndrome - an auto-immune disease that ravages sufferers with chronic bouts of tiredness.

That is why it is tougher than ever to assess Venus' prospects. The nature of the five-time Wimbledon champion's illness is such that she could win her next fifteen matches, be considered one of the favourites heading into a Grand Slam but then be powerless if her illness chose to strike severely on the day of a match.

Even before she revealed that she had Sjogren's last summer - my feeling was that Venus had prioritised the twilight of her illustrious career into one final push at Wimbledon and the Olympics, which will both be held on her favoured grass this summer. Persistent knee injuries over the past couple of years framed that realism. Her illness has simply provided further affirmation that time is almost up.

As such, we have to view Venus' clay-court swing as wider preparation for those grass court events to follow. She needs matches to improve her conditioning and stamina after so long out of tour play. For all her good play in Miami and Charleston, Venus huffed and puffed through many of her matches and both defeats were highlighted by an alarming fade in the deciding set. She insists that they weren't due to fitness - but I am not convinced.

The former world number one actually owns nine WTA clay-court titles - but she has only reached the final of Roland Garros once in her career back in 2002, when she lost to her sister Serena. Even if she is healthy and the draw opens up for her in Paris, it is unrealistic to expect Venus [90.0] to put together seven straight victories and win the French Open.

Now 31-years-old, the former world number one is clearly not the player she once was. Her first serve remains an awe-inspiring weapon, but the second ball is much more vulnerable now. She is also no longer able to overpower opponents purely from the baseline.

Despite that, I don't think Venus is totally finished yet - particularly if she attacks the net regularly as she has shown a willingness to do during her comeback matches to date. The former world number one is still one of few naturally talented volleyers on the WTA and at her best she cuts a truly imposing, athletic figure around the cords.

So what I am most interested in doing both for the French Open and in the WTA clay lead-up events is to create a back-to-lay strategy for Venus. I also think that there will be value to be had in the individual match markets - based upon my belief in Venus' prevailing ability to beat some of the top ranked women she will come up against in her early round matches. I won't back her in the winner market for any events on clay - but similar to what she did to both Petra Kvitova [7.6] and Ana Ivanovic [55.0] in Miami last month, there can be value in backing Venus on a head-to-head basis.

This will also likely hold true on the grass at Wimbledon, with a possible dip into the winner market depending on her form. For me, it is why Venus will be one of the most interesting women to watch on the WTA during the next few months.

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1. rac | 08 April 2012

   Nice article, the only point that I disagree with is you questioning weather Venus is fit. I believe she is truly fit because if she wasn't there is no way she would be able to compete the way she has with Sjogren's. Venus' huffing and puffing is likely from lost lung compactly due to Sjogren's. Venus' doctor's misdiagnosed her with asthma, but her breathing issues are due to her illness, and she will mostly likely have those breathing issues for the rest of her career.

2. Joyce Saunders | 14 April 2012

   I have followed Venus & Serena's careers, since my husband introduced me to them. Venus is the only player that I woke up early a.m. to watch her play. She has come back thus far fighting all the way in her matches. She has a remarkable recod over all. My biggest disappointment with her was her choice of clothing which exposed her backside in such an unfavorable fashion. I pray that she realizes her dream of playing in the Olympics of 2012. No one will be able to beat her as champion of 2000! She's in the history books forever. Respectfully, Pastor Joyce

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