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Let's not fault Serena for chasing her dreams

By JOHN ROMANO
Published July 5, 2006

WIMBLEDON, England - Begin with the normal 64 players. Eliminate them, one at a time, for more than a week. Keep reducing the field until the only women who remain are the world's four best players, according to tour rankings.

How would you characterize such a semifinal?

Basically, as a lie.

These four - Amelie Mauresmo, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Maria Sharapova - are the best Wimbledon had available.

But do not pretend they are the four best women tennis players on the planet, for that list is not complete without Serena Williams. Not for the player she is, but the player she could be.

Technically, of course, Williams is not ranked in the top 4. In fact, you have to sift through an extra 100 players to find her at No. 104.

But the rankings are merely the sum of numbers and equations. They cannot measure power or grace. They can not gauge fearlessness or boldness.

The rankings tell you where a player is at a particular moment, not where they might be in a perfect world.

For in such a world, Serena would be at Centre Court. She would match her strength with Mauresmo and her nerve against Sharapova. She would be adding to her legend and, in the process, to our enjoyment.

Unfortunately, Serena is in her own world.

And has been for a couple of years.

The official word is she's recuperating from a chronic knee injury and will be back later this month. Before that, it was an ankle injury. And before that were rib problems, shoulder strains and the occasional upset stomach.

Normally, you would feel sorry for such an unfortunate athlete. Except, in Serena's case, misfortune has turned into a never-ending spring break.

She is plugging cosmetics at a fashion show in New York. She is partying with the pseudo-famous in South Beach. She is securing minor acting gigs on television and showing up on the red carpet at the Academy Awards.

She is, simultaneously, putting on weight and losing stature.

Understand, Williams could have been the best there ever was. She still could be the most dominant woman in sneakers today. At one time, she won four Grand Slam events in a row and five out of six. She was on her way to surpassing every female player who had come before her.

So it is no small wonder today that everyone seems eager for Williams to once again fulfill her potential. Everyone but her.

Tennis no longer seems to be the highest priority in her life. Or even her second priority. Williams wants to act. She wants to design clothes. She wants, at age 24, to have the dreams she never had as a child.

Frankly, this is not uncommon. In a way, it would have been more surprising if she hadn't struggled in some way. From Tracy Austin and Andrea Jaeger to Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriati, women's tennis has too many tales of players peaking as teenagers and fading away by 25.

Sometimes, it's physical. Sometimes, it's emotional. In Serena's case, it might be a little of both.

Lately, we are hearing more and more from those who are unhappy about that. Former greats who say Williams is wasting precious years to chase fantasies that could be pursued later.

Martina Navratilova called Williams a supernova who burst on the scene and then was gone. Chris Evert wrote an open letter in Tennis magazine, asking Williams if she understood the opportunity she was allowing to slip away. John McEnroe has long been critical of her lack of reverence for the game.

For the most part, Williams has refused to respond. She has made no secret of her interest in the Hollywood life and apparently has little desire in listening to unsolicited advice.

Pity, because the advice is both accurate and well-intentioned.

And, still, I don't blame Serena for ignoring it.

As difficult as it is to see an athlete wasting a chance for greatness, I find it impossible to lecture her about commitment and devotion.

This is a young woman who gave up much of her childhood for tennis. She willingly sacrificed more than many of us will in a lifetime. She gave up the normal pleasures of adolescence in the name of hard work and prosperity.

So who are we to ask more of her today?

Yes, it'd be grand to see her chase the legacies of Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Margaret Court. It'd be wonderful to see her re-energize the women's game and spice up the largely indistinguishable group of players at the top.

Now do not misunderstand. The four players remaining in the Wimbledon field would make a terrific semifinal in virtually any circumstance. Each has won a Grand Slam event, and each deserves one of the game's highest rankings.

Just don't call it a dream final four.

Because, unfortunately for tennis, Serena Williams seems to have other dreams.

[Last modified July 5, 2006, 06:01:03]