Tennis: Williams Sisters?

[Joeboo835]

Can someone please explain to me why they constantly talk about "not rubbing it in" or "respect for my sister"?

I love my family more than anything on this earth. But you know what? If I was playing my brother, or sister for that matter, in the finals or outside in my backyard, I would do whatever it took to kick his a$$. I would talk smack, yell at him, etc.

Its too bad they act the way they do towards one another because it could be pretty awesome for Women's Tennis.

No one is going to watch this. Not unless Anna K. comes in and starts winning everything.

[JaxComet]

They might be a good place to start with steriod testing in tennis.....

[Manco]

Originally posted by JaxComet
They might be a good place to start with steriod testing in tennis.....

Why?

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by Joeboo835
If I was playing my brother, or sister for that matter, in the finals or outside in my backyard, I would do whatever it took to kick his a$$. I would talk smack, yell at him, etc.

i'd much rather see two good athletes play good solid tennis. keep the smack talking to late night wrestling, let your talents show on the courts. they're sisters, they've trained together their whole lives, they play together as doubles and i like the respect they show each other, on and off the court.

[RoyalTea]

why talk smack when their father picks who wins before each big match?

[Jabx]

steroids

why is everyone hating on the Williams sisters? They clearly are #1 and #1A in tennis and it ain't gonna change unless they get hurt or bored.

[das Monkey]

Originally posted by Jabx
why is everyone hating on the Williams sisters? They clearly are #1 and #1A in tennis and it ain't gonna change unless they get hurt or bored.

I grew to hate Venus from her racist interviews. I now accept that most of that was probably her father speaking through her, and I've never heard anything particularly offensive from Serena. Still, I am bored watching either of them play, much the same way men's tennis has played second fiddle to the women for nearly a decade. I watch tennis, much like figure skating, for the gracefulness of the sport. While the Williams sisters are more dominant, I don't enjoy watching them play and probably never will. I don't like watching Shaq play either, dominant though he may be. I know I'm not the only one who would rather watch Conners and McEnroe play with wooden rackets than Safin and Sampras exchanging groundstrokes. The same change is now occuring in women's tennis, and the Williams sisters are leading the way. It's not as interesting to me. As someone who played tennis semi-professionally for years, it sounds strange to think that way, but it's certainly true.

As for why people hate the sisters, Venus only has to look to herself. She dug that hole with the stupid crap she said in interviews. And Serena only has to look at Venus. Guilt by association, unfortunately. Their "fashion" line doesn't help either. Maybe I just don't get the latest fashions, but their outfits look stupid to me.

There you have it: all the superficial (and some not) reasons why I don't like them.

das

[JaxComet]

Originally posted by Jabx
steroids

why is everyone hating on the Williams sisters? They clearly are #1 and #1A in tennis and it ain't gonna change unless they get hurt or bored.

She's a man baby!!!

[Phil L.]

Originally posted by das Monkey


I grew to hate Venus from her racist interviews. I now accept that most of that was probably her father speaking through her, and I've never heard anything particularly offensive from Serena. Still, I am bored watching either of them play, much the same way men's tennis has played second fiddle to the women for nearly a decade. I watch tennis, much like figure skating, for the gracefulness of the sport. While the Williams sisters are more dominant, I don't enjoy watching them play and probably never will. I don't like watching Shaq play either, dominant though he may be. I know I'm not the only one who would rather watch Conners and McEnroe play with wooden rackets than Safin and Sampras exchanging groundstrokes. The same change is now occuring in women's tennis, and the Williams sisters are leading the way. It's not as interesting to me. As someone who played tennis semi-professionally for years, it sounds strange to think that way, but it's certainly true.

As for why people hate the sisters, Venus only has to look to herself. She dug that hole with the stupid crap she said in interviews. And Serena only has to look at Venus. Guilt by association, unfortunately. Their "fashion" line doesn't help either. Maybe I just don't get the latest fashions, but their outfits look stupid to me.

There you have it: all the superficial (and some not) reasons why I don't like them.

das

You said it better then I could have.

Oh, and add Borg to the list with Connors and McEnroe of players I'd rather watch.
Those were the days.

[weargle]

"If you are hating on the Williams sisters, then you are a racist."











At least that's the way it seems whenever anybody shows dislike for them.

[das Monkey]

Originally posted by weargle
"If you are hating on the Williams sisters, then you are a racist."



At least that's the way it seems whenever anybody shows dislike for them.

That idiot Bob Ryan said essentially that on PTI yesterday. I think his exact words were closer to "People don't like the Williams sisters because of the big 'R' ... racism." Whatever. Venus and Frank have their head up their ass with the race issue, and so does the press. Perhaps things have changed for Venus, but I remember the following conversation on a talk show:

Venus: It's really great to break the color barrier in tennis.
Host: What about Arthur Ashe?
Venus: Well, I mean women's tennis.
Host: Althea Gibson?
Venus: Well, you know what I mean.
Host: [Awkward pause and segue to another topic]

Halle Berry must have learned her racial history from the Williams family.

Anyway, that type of crazy talk from them seems in the past. I don't think there are too many Davenport fans, and were it not for the "tragic comeback" angle, Capriati probably wouldn't be that popular either. I love watching someone like Hingis take down a hoss like Davenport. Shot placement and pinpoint accuracy are more entertaining to me than powerful groundstrokes and loud screams.

Unfortanately, like you said, it seems near impossible to criticize them without someone throwing the race card in your face.

das

[Real Estate Guy]

I understand the race thing. I think if they were nice and had different attitudes, it wouldn't matter what color they were - winners have a way of making people like them, that is, if they don't ruin it some other way.

I think another thing that makes people dislike them - and I'm totally serious here, is the fact that they're UGLY!! Come on, you had to be thinking it. I'm black myself, and I'll admit that the both of them are butt-*ss ugly. Attractive winners also have a way of winning people over. Ever wonder why Anna K and Martina Hingis and Capriati are more popular than the Williams and Lindsay Davenport? I don't know about you, but I put ole Lindsay in that butt-ugly category too. Yuck.

[das Monkey]

Personally, I don't think Serena is ugly. She's not someone I'd find attractive, but she doesn't repulse me like Venus does. Serena just looks like a muscular woman. Venus is like a cross between Patrick Ewing and a wild boar. You're right ... it certainly doesn't help. But even Navratalova was popular (nowhere near Evert of course), even though she was ugly by many people's perceptions. Hell, Billie Jean King was popular, and I'd argue that he's not even female. It's the total package, I guess. It's like that in all sports though. If Michael Jordan didn't look as good as he does, he wouldn't be as successful. He'd still probably be a major marketing draw, but not the uber-athlete he became. Same with Tiger Woods. In fact Magic was always just a little more popular then Bird. Looking good pays off.

Anyway, I don't know if people actively dislike them because of their attractiveness, but it probably keeps people from cutting them slack when they screw up.

das

[Jabx]

that was an excellent post, das Monkey

and for the record, I'd hit either of the Williams sisters

[JaxComet]

Originally posted by Jabx
that was an excellent post, das Monkey

and for the record, I'd hit either of the Williams sisters

Hit them with what? A large rock I hope!

Thanks for that disturbing image.......

[Jabx]

[the aftermath]

Originally posted by das Monkey
Venus is like a cross between Patrick Ewing and a wild boar.

What a great line

I don't find Capriatti attractive at all.

And yes, tennis is boring now.

[outcastja]

I haven't been watching tennis in a while, but what happened to Hingis? She used to be in at least the semi-finals for a couple of years. Is she injured or something?

[shizawn]

Originally posted by outcastja
I haven't been watching tennis in a while, but what happened to Hingis? She used to be in at least the semi-finals for a couple of years. Is she injured or something?

Yeah, she's been injured for awhile. But even without the injury she was on the way down, her finesse game unable to keep up with the power game that's dominating women's tennis.

Which is too bad, cuz she's cute.

[das Monkey]

Hingis has bad joints, if I recall. I think she was holding her own OK (not as the top, but as one of the top) before the joint problems, but now I don't know if she can come back in any top capacity.

das

[palebluedot]

das good posts...

I am also VERY bored with the all Williams sisters finals and for the same reasons.

I can't stand these power games. Their rallies are non-existant and it seems no player "wins" the match...the other player "loses" it because of unforced errors and just a lack of real tennis skill. Sure Venus can serve 120Mph but that is really all she has...her game has improved but not to the point where I would put them anywhere near my top 10 players of the game.

The Williams sisters have NO style and grace both on and off the court and their Father is an embarressment to them and himself.

I like Hingis so much because she was a throw-back to the old style of grace and finesse that tennis once was. A lot of people forget that Hingis beat both the Williams sisters in the Australian Open (only to choke against Capriati) so she can compete with that power game...just not consistantly.

I just wish Hingis would make a comeback and bring back to the sport what she does so well. Justine Henan is right on that fringe of grace and power and real tennis skill...so she is one to watch.

Everyone is on the Williams sisters bandwagon right now but it is going to hurt the sport if they continue to dominate...I guarantee it.

[Patman]

Venus has a horse face.

How about Gabriella Sabatini? Loved her looks and one wicked one-handed backhand.

While watching some Anna K special last night at a sport bar, I was reminded at how "unhot" I think she is. She does absolutely nothing for me.

[ZenerDiode]

I hope that the Williams, Capriati, Davenport, and the rest of the "man-beasts" people love to hate continue to do well. I think they set a much better role model for young girls by showing that you can accomplish just as much in life, in not more, with talent instead of looks (read Anna K). Kudos to Serena to playing an outstanding game at Wimbledon and kudos to both of the Williams sisters for enduring the unwarranted and cold hearted criticisim.

[das Monkey]

Originally posted by ZenerDiode
I hope that the Williams, Capriati, Davenport, and the rest of the "man-beasts" people love to hate continue to do well. I think they set a much better role model for young girls by showing that you can accomplish just as much in life, in not more, with talent instead of looks (read Anna K). Kudos to Serena to playing an outstanding game at Wimbledon and kudos to both of the Williams sisters for enduring the unwarranted and cold hearted criticisim.

I don't know which thing you said is least accurate, so I'll address them all.

Anna K. is very talented and has won numerous doubles championships, including two grand slams, including this year's Australian Open. She's won over $3 million on the tour (prize money, not endorsements) and is one of the best doubles players in the world. The media obsession with her not winning singles titles is absurd. Some of the greatest players had all their success in doubles.

But that's beside the point. If you think Hingis isn't talented because she can't lift a bus on her back and pass for an animal at the zoo ... yikes. Pounding groundstrokes all day is not the sole definition of talent. I don't think Davenport even knows what a volley looks like. Seems to me it takes a hell of a lot of talent for a 5 foot tall little girl, with only moderate muscle mass, to go out and beat Venus and Serena in the same tournament.

As for "unwarranted" criticism ... oh man ... what does Venus have to say to warrant criticism?

das