Venus and Serena Williams, America’s top two tennis players, are always being held to a higher standard. No matter how many Grand Slams they win, they seemingly are criticised. For whatever reason, people tend to place the sisters under a microscope. They’re picked apart on just about every aspect of their personal and public life.

One week it’s about their hair, then their attire, who they date, what they eat, how much weight they’ve gained. Some commentators have asked questions that would pit them against their coaching dad. How absurd. Can someone please explain to me why American commentators would blatantly disrespect the American players?

When Serena was hurt at Wimbledon this year, one commentator said: “No matter what, you can always expect drama from the Williams Sisters.”  What I don’t understand is why some people feel it is OK to disrespect others.

'I love watching them play. They bring power, excitement and brilliance to the game'


Say what you will, Venus has won six majors while Serena has won eight. They’ve both been the number one player in the world. They are Olympic Gold Medal winners for the U.S. They’ve won Grand Slam events in doubles. Both sisters are equally successful off the court. But why isn’t this enough? Why is there constant degrading of the sisters?

They’ve been accused of allowing one to win over the other, which is ludicrous. Allegedly, they were called the 'N' word while playing at Indian Wells, which resulted in the sisters not playing in this particular tournament since the alleged incident. Even when their sister was murdered, there where Internet postings everywhere regarding their sister’s lifestyle.

I say shut up already. Venus and Serena gave women’s tennis new life. The tournament sponsors are elated when they see one or both sisters entered into a tournament. Venus and Serena are money makers, shot callers and big ballers.

Yes, I think people want to hold them to a higher standard but degrading them is not the way to do it. Before we try to criticise and ostracise the sisters, we need to check our own lifestyle and motive.

I love watching them play. They bring power, excitement and brilliance to the game. There is no way in all of tennis that Serena would win the Australian Open. She shut me up, and I took notice after her third-round win over a very tough opponent, Nadia Petrova of Russia.

Now, as I sit and wait for the 2007 U.S. Open, I’m waiting for the next barrage. I’m sure it will be something that will not take their focus of the task at hand and that’s winning the title.

The only negative I can and ever will say about the sisters is they don’t play enough tennis, but that’s only because I’m a fan, and want to see them entered into every tournament possible.