INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- WTA Tour CEO Bart McGuire
said in a written statement Friday that there was no reason to
believe the Williams family has conspired to predetermine who
will win matches between tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.
"The Tour is aware of assertions being circulated regarding
Venus and Serena Williams head to head matches," McGuire said.
"We have seen no evidence to support those assertions and both
players have denied them."
After Venus Williams withdrew from her semifinal against
sister Serena at the Tennis Master Series Indian Wells on
Thursday night with a sore knee, some observers speculated that
Venus had been told by her father and coach Richard to give the
victory to Serena.
Both players immediately dismissed the speculation as
unfounded rumors.
"Everyone makes their own comments. That's how rumors get
started. I guess rumors are more exciting than the truth,"
Venus said after pulling out of the match.
The usually talkative Richard Williams, who has a penchant
for making outrageous comments simply for shock value, would
not even address the issue when approached by Reuters on Friday.
"I don't want to open my month anymore. Every time I do,
all that's printed is lies," he said. "I'm scared. I'll never
talk again. It's all lies. I don't speak English anymore."
Russian player Elena Dementieva jump-started old rumors
about the legitimacy of Williams vs. Williams contests on Wednesday
when she said after losing to Venus that it would be Richard
Williams's decision as to who would win the semifinal between
the sisters.
Both Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport have previously
stated reservations about past matches between the superstar
sisters.
But McGuire emphasized the Williams sisters competitive
desire over their sense of protecting each other's egos or
desire to please their father.
"They are elite competitors who are driven to win," McGuire
said.
"Along with other siblings who have played against each
other, Venus and Serena have always said that head to head
matches are difficult but their competitive instincts and
pride transcend their sense of family when they play each
other." Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories |
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