Can anyone stop Venus?

By Sandra Eggers Sports Central Columnist

Venus Williams is the reigning champion at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, two years running. In 2002, she will be looking for a three-peat at those events, as well as her first Australian and French Open crowns.

It's quite a remarkable accomplishment, considering she is also balancing school and a sometimes outspoken father, along with her training and fitness regime. Not to mention, the pressure of being the "older sister," a successful black female athlete, and a role model for young people.

Everything about Williams is unique. She is coached by her father, in a somewhat unconventional way early on, avoiding most junior competition. Her physique is long and lanky, which makes her hard to pass. She takes two steps to either side and has the court covered.

Then there's the serve. She uses all of her 6'1" frame to blast the fastest service winners on tour. All that, and she's ranked No. 4 in the world.

Playing only ten tournaments in 2000, and 12 through the completion of the 2001 U.S. Open, Williams has been on somewhat of a limited schedule. The WTA ranking system is based on points, and the more tournaments you play, the more points you can accumulate. That would explain her current ranking of No. 4 behind Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, and Lindsay Davenport, all of whom she has dominated in recent years.

Williams has matured in the past few years, and it shows in her game. She is thinking better on court, and has finally realized that there is a time and place for power, but finesse is also a weapon she can use to her benefit.

Williams really believes in herself, sometimes to the point of appearing cocky, and at times may be a bit overconfident. Though her forehand can sometimes break down, and her mind can wander in lopsided matches, she now finds a way to get through matches when things aren't going perfectly well.

So who is going to stop Venus Williams from winning it all? Will she become the next dominant player?

It's hard to say with all the talented young players coming up, but for now, Venus has all the answers. She's young, she's powerful, she's strong, and she's got a winning attitude.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.