By Bill Simons
A PRESIDENTIAL REFLECTION—ADAMS ON SERENA AND RACE: During the Australian Open, when IT asked Katrina Adams, the first African-American President in the 134-year history of the USTA, to talk about the 2001 incident with Serena and Venus Williams at Indian Wells, she said, “It has nothing to do with the tournament. It has to do with the environment. What they experienced was unfair to them. It was unethical, it was racist—it was an unfortunate situation. If you’re a 19-year-old, you’re not [fully] an adult. If you experience that, you’re not going to go back to that area. And guess what? I experienced it, I do experience it. But I got to do what I got to do. That’s the way of the world. But they don’t have to subject themselves to that treatment. I know they’ve gotten over it and they’ve matured and they said they would go back … so we’ll see. Maybe they will.”
CONSPICUOUS BY THEIR ABSENCE: At the Aussie Open, Serena‘s support group did not include her mother or father, her sister Isha or her former longtime hitting partner, Sascha Bajin. Does this tea leaf reading mean that Patrick Mouratoglou‘s influence is on the ascendance?
GOOD FAN, BAD FAN: A bad fan yelled out at the wrong time during the Nadal vs. Smyczek match at the Aussie Open. But when Serena was struggling mightily against Garbine Muguruza in the fourth round in Melbourne, a fan yelled out “more topspin” to the American. Williams listened to the free, unsolicited advice and went on to win the match and the tourney.
MILESTONES: For the first time in history, three African-Americans—Serena, Venus and Madison Keys—reached a Grand Slam semifinal … By winning in Brisbane, Federer won his 1000th match. The only others to do that in the Open era are Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl … Seemingly retired Mardy Fish is planning a comeback, including an appearance in Indian Wells … Andy Murray and his longtime girlfriend Kim Sears are planning to wed April 11 at his luxury hotel in Scotland. Also, Tomas Berdych and Ester Satorova announced their engagement.
SERENA WATCH: Arguably the most interesting player in tennis, our great drama queen, just made one of the most interesting tournaments in the world all that more intriguing … Few players pull out of tourneys more often than Serena, so it is reasonable to wonder whether she will in fact show up at Indian Wells … Once there, the big “hot or cold” question is: How will she be received by the crowd? … Venus‘ withdrawal from her 2001 match against Serena has proven to be the most controversial withdrawal in the Open era. Since having to cope with Sjögren’s Syndrome, Venus has withdrawn 12 times … While talking about her backless Nike outfit in Melbourne, Serena said that when it comes to fashion this year, “It’s all about the back.” A month later it’s still all about the back: i.e., going back to Indian Wells … Will more African-American fans attend the BNP Paribas Open this year? Will Richard or Oracene Williams show up? And what about celebrity appearances (such as Spike Lee or Oprah)? … While many great stars—Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova—have won Indian Wells since Serena started her boycott, the Williamses absence has opened the door for other winners. (And don’t tell us that Vika Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, Flavia Pennetta, Daniela Hantuchova, Jelena Jankovic and Vera Zvonareva are B-listers) … In the 14 years since Serena and Venus last played in Indian Wells, no American woman has won … Coincidentally, 2001, when Serena last won, was also the last year an American man, Andre Agassi, was victorious … If Serena wins this year’s BNP Paribas Open, she will have won more Indian Wells titles than any other woman … Is Serena different from the rest? Madison Keys said, “You can almost get overwhelmed if you start focusing on Serena being on the other side of the court … Her ball’s not like anyone else’s. It comes hard; it comes deep. You never have the feeling … [you] can control every ball” … Since so much will be focused on Serena at Indian Wells, will Sharapova step up and rain on the Serenian parade? … On the same day Serena announced that she would be playing Indian Wells, Charlie Sifford, the Jackie Robinson of pro golf, passed away … As of press time, Venus is not playing the BNP Paribas Open. Are the Williams sisters far more independent then we thought? Is this year’s BNP Paribas Open the most anticipated tournament in years?
