TENNIS: Venus, Serena both have some explaining to do

Goodness knows they have generated publicity, interest and controversy on the women's pro tennis tour like no other duo in such time.

Venus and Serena Williams have proven to be two of the biggest names in sports, let alone tennis. But the sport has a number of other personalities, other names, that may end up surpassing the sister duo if they don't get their act together.

There is the beautiful cattiness of Anna Kournikova, currently sidelined with a stress fracture. There is the dependent Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis, both of whom rarely ever lose until the quarterfinals.

The comeback stories have also unfolded with new drama. Monica Seles continues to play, still seeking another Grand Slam to add to her collection, which numbers just one since she was stabbed.

ESPN's ratings were the best ever at the Australian Open when Jennifer Capriati won her first major title, beating Seles, then Davenport, then Hingis in succession.

Young stars such as Kim Clijsters have also started making inroads. Elena Dementieva is another Russian that may soon surpass Kournikova's accomplishments.

But all in all, there are still two dominant names in women's tennis right now, for reasons right and wrong. Venus and Serena Williams.

There is no doubt that the sister duo has done a lot to lift the profile of the sport. Being called "the Tiger Woods of women's tennis" alone shows the influence that they have. Add their obvious talent and the WTA Tour seems to be sitting on a goldmine.

But for every accomplishment, there is a question that goes unaswered by either of the sisters. Questions about their desire to stay in the sport and deciding who will win matchups before they take the court.

First is the more pertinent question, the question of fixed matches, which came into increased focus on Thursday night. ESPN hyped up the sister semifinal pairing relentlessly, only to have Venus pull out ten minutes before it was supposed to start, causing over 10,000 fans to wait for nearly an hour before more live tennis came on court.

Meanwhile, fans at home were treated to the other semifinal between Clijsters and Hingis, won by the Belgian teenager. A disappointment, considering that the match had already been aired in the afternoon.

Injuries are a part of the game and playing on a demanding hard court in tennis can aggravate aches and pains. But considering that Venus had played the day before and routed Dementieva, moving well, with nothing more than a slight patch on her knee.

Both sisters continue to deny the rumors of fixed matches, but the previous matches between the two does not help their cause. Their first matchup, a few years back at the Lipton Open final, was a shoddy exhibition.

Last year, the voices of dissent were peaking when Venus, despite not having the best of years, somehow overcome a red-hot Serena in the Wimbledon semis. Davenport, for one, even said she thought "they decided it was Venus' turn."

The matches between the two are uneven and error-filled, which raises suspicions. For two sisters who have grown up playing with each other for years, how is it that once they get on court, the quality of play goes down — not one of their matchups has been a good one. The on-court demeanor of both is of a blank slate, which they attribute to playing a sister.

Another question is of their dedication to the sport. Last year, when Venus had tendonitis and missed a large portion of the season's start, her father said that she was considering retirement. Instead, she had the best year of her career, reaching a ranking of No. 3. in the world.

This year, Serena lost a match to Hingis in the Australian Open, claimed fatigue and sickness, but then went on to play doubles with her sister less than two hours later. She has also skipped tournaments this year citing "fatigue," which is interesting because she has not played nearly the number of tournaments that a Davenport, or Hingis, or Seles has played.

You don't hear any of that trio claiming fatigue, but you hear a Williams sister doing so. Davenport and Hingis, Seles and Capriati as well, have gone to great lengths to promote the sport and its positive effect on their lives, especially Capriati since her comeback from drug problems.

But do the Williams sisters do the same thing? They promote themselves instead. They have become rich and famous and gotten all the recognition in the world they could have wanted, but do not seem to be able to make the commitment to the sport that has brought them that fame?

Venus and Serena Williams have been part of a resurgence in the recognition of women's tennis. But the time has come for them to stop talking about their coming domination of the sport, and back up the talk with words. And boost the tour at the same time, rather than themselves.