Venus Williams once again proves to be something to talk about
by Alex Dimitrov
The week at the Acura Classic began with Venus Williams
winning and ended very much in the same fashion. For the third
straight year Williams captured the title, something no other woman
has ever accomplished. The championship match against Jelena Dokic
mimicked Williams's semifinal massacre as she quickly closed out the
first set 6-2 in 29 minutes. Dokic was rumored to have been
sick all night with a stomach virus. She had been treated by a
physician yet was still reported to have been vomiting prior to the
match. Tournament officials weren't sure she would even play minutes
before the final was scheduled to start. Despite feeling ill, Jelena
pushed on in the second set, holding to take a 1-0 lead. Venus,
while acknowledging she wasn't playing her best tennis, raced past her
to a 4-1 lead. Even after breaking Venus in the next game, Dokic
looked fatigued and at times disinterested. Williams easily closed
out the match in 55 minutes on her second match point.
"It's really nice to keep coming back to this tournament. It's real
familiar," said Williams after the 6-2 6-2 victory. When talking
about her play she said, "I always critique my game. I'm the toughest
on myself. It's a real mental battle for me." When asked what
she would do with her third Acura vehicle, Venus smiled and filled
the press in on her "4 or 5" speeding tickets. She confessed she
didn't even know if she would be able to drive it. "The insurance is
expensive, especially for dangerous drivers like me," she joked.
Venus also admitted driving around with sister Serena, who thinks
Venus's car is "outdated." "She's a good driver, though," said
Venus.
After her press conference Venus was escorted out in a golf cart
and taken to her hotel room. As I was pulling in the media parking
lot I saw Venus (whose room is right near the press parking) playing
volleyball with her three sisters. She was radiating with
joy -- cracking jokes, laughing loudly, and grinning proudly. Just
minutes ago she had talked about starting to count her titles "now
that the number has gotten bigger." And why shouldn't she? She's
got a great career to look forward to, a wonderful sister to share it
with, and an unconventional father to keep things interesting. As
the tennis world looks ahead to the US Open, one can't help but see
a Williams victory.
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Last updated 26 September 2015
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