Serena Williams fended off a stirring fightback from Agnieszka Radwanska to win her fifth Wimbledon singles title with a 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory Saturday.
Five-time champion Venus Williams went out in the opening round of Wimbledon for the first time as she slumped to a 6-1 6-3 loss to Russia's Elena Vesnina.
For former world number ones Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic, their second- round clash at Charleston was a defining moment in the careers of two women desperate to claw their way back to the top.
Women's tennis No. 1 Victoria Azarenka is looking forward to more success despite the end of her perfect start to 2012.
She might have been out of the game for over six months but Venus Williams was back in the groove immediately in Miami, losing just three games in a victory over Kimiko Date-Krumm.
Venus Williams talks to CNN's Becky Anderson about her return to the court after being diagnosed with Sjorgren's Syndrome.
Seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams is in doubt for January's Australian Open after the American pulled out of her planned comeback at the ASB Classic in New Zealand.
"Life is so precious," Serena says of her sister's Sjögren's syndrome diagnosis
After playing just one match, Venus Williams announced Wednesday that she is withdrawing from the U.S. Open.
The tennis star has been suffering from an autoimmune disease
NEW YORK -- Her ranking now sits in the triple digits, floating in the low 100s alongside not-so-households name such as Misaki Doi, Edina Gallovits-Hall and Varvara Lepchenko. This is the area code where Venus Williams now lives after a bittersweet day in her remarkable tennis career.
Two-time champion Venus Williams has pulled out of the U.S. Open in New York, citing an illness that she says causes fatigue and pain in her joints.
Seven-time grand slam winner Venus Williams has pulled out of the forthcoming Rogers Cup tournament in Toronto with a viral illness.
Venus Williams battled past Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm Wednesday after a marathon encounter which kept the Centre Court crowd enthralled for nearly three hours.
World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki is looking to win her first grand slam crown. Maria Sharapova, one of her predecessors as the top women's tennis player, is returning to the scene of her breakthrough title.
Venus Williams tells the WTA she is back and aiming to win and what it's like to have her sister Serena back.
A day after her sister Serena's comeback was ended in Eastbourne, Venus Williams suffered a similar fate losing in the quarterfinals to Daniela Hantuchova.
Former world No. 1 Serena Williams will make her long-awaited tennis comeback this week, determined to make the most of her "second chance."
Victoria Duval has been described as the next Venus Williams. We look at the challenges she has faced on and off the court.
This has been quite a tournament for the ethics of motivation. While a number of men have departed the Australian Open with their dignity in tatters, Venus Williams defined herself as never before.
Former world number one Venus Williams came through an injury scare to defeat Sandra Zahlavova 6-7 6-0 6-4, in the second-round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
Venus Williams, renowned as a world-class tennis star, also has something of a reputation for her striking fashion sense. And if early signs are anything to go by, Williams' provocative wardrobe selections look set to continue in 2011.
You predicted someone other than Roger or Rafa would win a Grand Slam this year. When does that happen? And is there anyone currently (or in the future) who could match Roger's five consecutive wins at two different events? Do you see anyone matching that ... or winning five consecutive at even one Grand Slam? --Marina, Dallas
Why are the Shanghai Masters not televised on ESPN? Why do Little League, high school basketball, football and baseball get more airtime than tennis? Our elite athletes deserve better. Also, there are no doping scandals in tennis like there are in cycling and baseball. Why do people hold up baseball and cycling as great athletes but not tennis players? They don't get any respect! --HB, Winthrop, Washington
Serena Williams says she is "devastated" after being ruled out for the rest of 2010 due to a recurrence of her foot injury.
Can you and SI hold a design competition for a less expensive but workable roof for Arthur Ashe Stadium? I flat out do NOT believe a new roof cannot be added for less than $250 million. I believe old-fashioned ideas done the most expensive way would cost $250 million, but I believe hungry young architects trying to make a name for themselves could contribute many ideas of how to cover the stadium for well under $250 million. I remember years ago the Detroit Lions were worried about cost overruns for the Pontiac Silverdome and came up with a much less expensive air-supported roof that was radical at the time but let the stadium come in on time and under budget. If it can be done there, why not at Ashe Stadium? There must be ways to do it. Would you be willing to ask your bosses at SI if you can sponsor a non-committal design competition for an affordable roof? It would be great publicity for SI and just may get the U.S. Open a roof. -- Randy Lee Mayes, Bradford, PA.
NEW YORK -- She didn't have a ball or racket in hand, wasn't even near a tennis court, so it took a moment to recognize that one of the most important figures in the history of American sports had changed her game. Because Venus Williams, tennis player, wasn't talking about dogs or fashion; Venus Williams wasn't responding to the latest nonsense about her sister's foot or her father's mouth. No, she was talking about race now, about fighting hatred, about doing right when the easy choice is to do nothing. We've grown too used to the rich and famous using their clout only to sell products. You had to look around the room, and remember, to see that a long-ago promise was being realized at last.
Holder Kim Clijsters has continued her march towards a second successive U.S. Open title with a convincing straight sets victory over Serb Ana Ivanovic on Sunday.
Venus Williams has joined her sister Serena in withdrawing from next week's Cincinnati Open, citing a knee problem that could dent her hopes of success at the U.S. Open.
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams is our guest respondent for this week's Mailbag. Currently ranked No. 3 in singles and No. 1 in doubles, Venus has taken a break from preparing for the U.S. Open and promoting her bestselling book Come to Win in order to answer your questions.
WIMBLEDON, England -- Three thoughts from the women's quarterfinals at the All England Club on Tuesday:
Venus Williams' latest tennis outfit -- a revealing black-lace corset dress with bright red straps -- has caused controversy since she wore it for her first round match at the French Open.
I live in Berkeley. I'm liberal ... but even I thought Venus' outfit was inappropriate. What is the difference between lingerie and "outer" clothing designed to look like lingerie? (And please don't tell me it's the "illusion.") --Caryn, Berkeley, Calif.
Unseeded Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai produced one of the shocks of the year on Sunday by defeating favorite Venus Williams in straight sets to win the final of the Madrid Open.
Venus Williams is through to the semifinals of the Madrid Open with a straight set win over Samantha Stosur on Friday.
Top seed Serena Williams slumped to a third round defeat to Nadia Petrova in the Madrid but her sister Venus will move to number two in the world rankings after an earlier victory over Francesca Schiavone.
I enjoyed watching Mary Joe Fernandez as a player, I enjoy listening to her as a commentator, and I've enjoyed the success she's had as Fed Cup captain. What I would enjoy even more, however, is for her to say to the Williams sisters, "It's obvious you don't care enough about this competition to play, and that's your prerogative. But I, at least, am going to stop this silly and transparent charade about you wanting to and saying that you will, so you can appear patriotic, and then pulling out at the last minute. From this point on, Fed Cup is a Williams-free Zone." The team has done very well without the Williamses, and they are a joy to watch, because they all want to be there and enjoy being on the team together. --Chris F., Otsego, Minn.
Venus Williams stretched her unbeaten run to 15 games after seeing off France's Marion Bartoli to book her place in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.
1. The orbit of Venus: Venus Williams -- and her travel agent -- take a bow. A week after winning the title on the hard courts of Dubai, Venus wins on the clay of Acapulco. And one day later (Monday night), she'll play indoors at the BNP Paribas Showdown exo at Madison Square Garden (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET). We'll preempt the cynics and concede that, yes, she was paid handsomely at each stop. And, yes, with Indian Wells upon us, Venus will now have a self-imposed two-week vacation. Still, at a time when so many are squirting embalming fluid on her career, she makes a strong statement about her commitment level when she plays successfully and often.
So it has come to this in the world of big-time tennis: You're 28 years old, absolutely in your prime, cherishing the game -- and you're some kind of mythical superhero, a miracle of longevity and commitment.
China's Li Na took down the No. 4 seed Caroline Wozniacki at the Australian Open on Monday in Melbourne, following compatriot Zheng Jie into the quarterfinals -- the first time Chinese women have made it this far in the season's first Grand Slam.
Serena Williams claimed a fourth successive win over older sister Venus to triumph in straight sets in the final of the season-ending Sony Ericsson WTA Championship in Doha on Sunday.
New world No. 1 Serena Williams will take on her older sister and defending champion Venus in the final of the season-ending WTA Championships in Qatar on Sunday as injuries again took their toll on the world's top women tennis players.
Second seed Serena Williams stormed into the semifinals of the season-ending WTA Championships in Doha, while sister and defending champion Venus kept her slim hopes alive.
World number one Dinara Safina and third seed Venus Williams crashed out in major upsets at the China Open in Beijing on Monday.
Serena Williams put her controversial U.S. Open singles exit behind her on Monday as she and sister Venus claimed the women's doubles title at Flushing Meadows.
NEW YORK -- What we learned on Opening Night as Venus Williams struggled past unseeded Russian Vera Dushevina 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3:
Venus Williams has crashed out of the Rodgers Cup in Toronto after a shock 1-6 7-5 6-4 second round defeat by qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko.
Maria Sharapova continued her rehabilitation from injury with a comfortable victory at the L.A. Women's Tennis Championships on an opening day that saw early exits for three of the four seeded players in action.
Marion Bartoli of France upset hot favorite Venus Williams 6-2 5-7 6-4 to win the WTA tournament at Stanford in California.
Venus Williams beat Elena Dementieva in the first match of the Bank of the West Classic semifinal on Saturday, the official WTA Tour website reported.
Top seed Serena Williams has crashed out of the Bank of the West Classic, but her older sister Venus reached the semifinals after thrashing Maria Sharapova.
Some scattered thoughts on a historic Wimbledon ...
Serena Williams is looking to forge her place in tennis history after winning her 11th grand slam title at Wimbedon on Saturday.
CNN's Alex Thomas interviews Wimbledon champion Serena Williams.
Four things we learned while watching the all-American women's final at the All England Club on Independence Day ...
Serena Williams has avenged last year's Wimbledon final defeat by sister Venus to claim the grass-court major for the third time.
Defending champion Venus Williams ensured the Wimbledon final would be another family affair with a devastating performance against Russia's Dinara Safina in Thursday's second semifinal.
Serena Williams fought back from the brink of defeat to stay on course for her third Wimbledon title with victory over Elena Dementieva in the longest women's semi-final in history.
Twice defending champion Venus Williams moved closer to a Wimbledon title hat-trick on Monday when fourth-round rival Ana Ivanovic left in tears after quitting their Court One match through injury.
Defending champion Venus Williams breezed into the third round of the women's singles at Wimbledon after a straight sets victory over Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine.
Seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams crashed out of the French Open on Friday as she was thrashed 6-0 6-4 by Agnes Szavay of Hungary.
Wimbledon champion and former winner Venus Williams has crashed out in the third round of the Family Circle clay-court event in Charleston, South Carolina, losing in straight sets to Sabine Lisicki.
Venus Williams is most often seen wiping perspiration from her brow as she thunders around the court contesting championship tennis matches.
What did you make of the matches on HBO? And how much should we read into the results? One never knows how hard the players are playing, does one? -- Barry, Arizona
Venus Williams secured her 40th career title with a comfortable straight sets victory over unseeded Frenchwoman Virgine Razzano in the final of the Dubai Open on Saturday.
Revealed talks to tennis star, Venus Williams about her career so far, sibling rivalry and staying sharp on court.
Serena and Venus Williams will meet for the 19th time in a competitive tournament after claiming staight sets victories in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Open on Thursday.
The only thing Venus Williams treasures more than winning is a decent nap.
The past three years, we have had surprise men's finalists. My vote this year goes to Fernando Verdasco. I think he might surprise us all and make it to the finals. -- Michael White, Fort Worth, Texas
I know you'll never touch this question but here's nothing. Serena said: Being a Jehovah's Witness kept her from voting in the election, but didn't prevent her from watching Barack Obama's campaign and victory. "I try to stay politically neutral, don't get involved in worldly matters," she said. "For me, because I am black, seeing that happen, I would be blind if I didn't take interest in it or I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in what was going on. Obviously I am." As an African-American, I'm curious as to whether winning slams and other tennis tournaments is somehow religious or unworldly? My point is that she and her sister set a poor example for young kids. Voting is ungodly but chasing Slams isn't? Your opinion? -- Ray Vinson, Hampton,Va.
Serena and Venus Williams began their Australian Open campaigns with straight sets victories at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
Venus Williams will play Vera Zvonareva of Russia for the title at the WTA Tour's season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships after both came through testing three-set semifinals on Saturday.
Serena Williams' hopes of ending the year on a high note are over after she was forced to withdraw from the season-ending Sony Ericsson tournament in Doha with a stomach muscle problem.
Venus Williams is just one match away from reclaiming the title she last won in 1999 after beating second seed Ana Ivanovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 to reach the final of the Zurich Open.
Wimbledon champion Venus Williams maintained her smooth progress in the U.S. Open with a comfortable 6-2 6-1 defeat of 27th seed Alona Bondarenko to move into the fourth round at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
Federer or Nadal, who's your pick at the U.S. Open? -- Chas, New York
Second seed Serena Williams has withdrawn from the WTA event at the Home Depot Center in Carson City after giving up her fight against a left knee injury.
The champ defeats younger sister Serena in their seventh Grand Slam final meeting
Five things we learned from women's final Saturday at Wimbledon:
Five years since their last title matchup, the Williams sisters are back in the Wimbledon final with another Grand Slam championship -- and family bragging rights -- at stake
Serena Williams will face big sister Venus for the third time in a Wimbledon final after ending wildcard Zheng Jie's hopes of becoming the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final on Thursday.
Holder Venus Williams moved into the Wimbledon semifinals on Tuesday when she beat Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-4 6-3, firing family ambitions of a third title showdown against sister Serena.
Holder Venus Williams continued her march towards a fifth Wimbledon title by booking her place in the last 16 with a comfortable straight sets win over Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
Williams hit a 127-mph serve on Saturday -- the fastest recorded by a woman at Wimbledon
Venus Williams labored to an uncomfortable first round win over British wildcard Naomi Cavaday as she began the defense of her women's singles title with a 7-6 6-1 win at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Serena and Venus Williams were sent crashing from the French Open on Friday as both made shock third round exits.
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Yesterday you were asked whether Jelena Jankovic was underrated or overrated. Today I want to ask you about the other Serb, Ana Ivanovic. Your thoughts? -- Clark, Stockholm, Sweden
Venus Williams joined her sister Serena in the second round of the Australian Open as she saw off a spirited challenge from China's Zi Yan in a night match at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
France's Virginie Razzano caused a massive upset as she came from a set down to beat top seed and hot favorite Venus Williams 4-6 7-6 6-4 in the final of the Japan Open on Saturday.
Venus Williams will face 24-year-old French woman Virginie Razzano in the final of the Japan Open as she bids to follow up last weekend's Korea Open triumph.
Top-seed Venus Williams continued her excellent form on her 'Asian swing' with a straight sets victory over fellow American Vania King to progress to the quarterfinals of the Japan Open.
NEW YORK -- Justine Henin and Venus Williams were tied at 5-5 in the first set of their semifinal clash and as hard as Svetlana Kuznetsova tried not to look at the television during her post-match press conference, her eyes kept drifting toward the screen. Why? Because you always want to see what your executioner looks like.
Let's pretend you are, say, an insurance salesman. You're damn good at your job, world-class even. You clock in every day. You miss family functions on account of work. You try like hell to improve your performance rating and keep ascending the ladder. But there are these two colleagues -- siblings, no less! -- blocking your progress. They seem to pop into the office only when the mood strikes. They miss all the meetings and those insufferable "team building" outings because they're off acting or designing clothes or doing Lord knows what else. They take lots of sick leave, too. But when there's money on the table, they're the best around. They swoop in, perform with breathtaking skill and close the biggest accounts. Argh!
Venus Williams won her fourth Wimbledon singles title by beating Marion Bartoli, of France 6-4 6-1 in the final on Saturday.
Three-time champion Venus Williams served up another imposing display of grass court tennis to reach the Wimbledon semifinals with a straight sets victory over Russian fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Serbian Jelena Jankovic reached the final of the Family Circle Cup, winning a marathon match against Venus Williams on Saturday for her second straight win against the American.
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