By Saumojyoti Singha Choudhury, IANS
Bangalore : A possible semi-final clash between Williams sisters in the WTA Bangalore Open is a mouth-watering recipe for tennis fans, but for Venus and Serena it is a huge disappointment as they would miss the opportunity to line-up the champions and runners-up trophy in their cupboard back home.
The sisters seldom play together except for Grand Slams, but tennis fans here will be fortunate to witness them together. Venus is seeded second while Serena is the third seed in $600,000 Tier II event. But their only anguish is that only one can reach the title clash as both are pitted in the lower half of the draw.
“It is disappointing that we might run into each other in the semi-finals. It would have been great if both of us meet each other in the final,” Venus told reporters here at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) Monday.
Venus, the four-time Wimbledon champion, who is presently ranked 8th in WTA charts, however, said that both her and Serena’s wants to reach the semis in singles and pocket the doubles trophy as they have been handed a wildcard in the doubles event.
“Our plan is to play well and reach the singles semi-final. We are also playing doubles here and we would like to win that,” said Venus who is also a well-known fashion designer and designs her on-court outfit.
When asked about the matter, Venus promptly replied: “Both me and Serena make our own schedules. We have different managers who handle all these issues.
“When I decided to play at Bangalore, I didn’t know Serena was also playing here. Above that she (Serena) was the first to confirm her participation here.”
Eight-time grand Slam winner Serena said her focus would be to win the tournament.
“When I step in court, the only thing which is there in my mind is ‘win’ regardless of who I am playing with,” said Serena, who is on a comeback trial after a dental surgery.
Serena considers her sister as the best tennis player. “Venus is the best player according to me.”
The two sisters were delighted on their maiden visit to India. Serena was supposed to take part in the tournament last year but pulled out at the last minute because of personal problems.
“I really wanted to come last year, but unfortunately could not make it,” she said.
“We definitely like the place. It’s very pretty and the architecture is very nice. Most importantly, people are very nice here,” Venus said.