Tennis: Venus has memory lapse

VENUS WILLIAMS is into fantasy tennis. "I'm looking forward to Wimbledon," she said, "especially as it's my first visit". Actually Venus made her debut at the All England Club 12 months ago but failed to make a lasting impression.

She won't talk about the experience because, she maintains, it didn't happen. "I would like to make a firm statement. I didn't play at Wimbledon last year. I was never there."

In a way she's right. She didn't play, at least not to the level of a girl who is supposed to do to women's tennis what Tiger Woods has done to golf.

This time Venus has arrived in London early in preparation for the Big One. Yesterday she was at the Roehampton Club, the Bel Air of the home counties, with her mother Oracene and they are already fed up to the teeth with the British summer. "I have been sleeping, eating and watching the rain," Venus said. And watching lots of television, with the cartoon channel high on the remote control.

After losing to Martina Hingis in the quarter-finals of the French Open last week, the Williams' went shopping in Paris. They weren't even sure who contested the final. Venus, who is 17 (she's not wearing blue jeans), is 6ft 2in and has a grip like Lew Hoad.

It takes her five hours to do her hair which is braided with 1,800 blue and white beads. There is gold jewellery everywhere and about the only thing that isn't gold is the silver brace on her teeth.

The mother and daughter act is a bit of a laugh, a bit of a tease until Oracene, who has another gifted daughter, Serena, gets into the issue of race and sport.

Her husband Richard, she said, was a professional golfer and basketball player. "It was tough for him in the Fifties. They burnt his car and he was not allowed in to certain clubs. He decided to quit. If my daughters hadn't been trained the proper way they wouldn't have had an opportunity in tennis.

"Other African-Americans are having a hard time. It isn't fair. Everyone should be given the opportunity to be the best but it's set up to keep the minority out. They don't want it invaded. The sport could be taken to a different level, like in basketball. It's not enough for us to succeed. I'd like to see more African-Americans on the circuit. I don't have time for trivia and ignorance."

Oracene expected Venus Ebony Star, as she calls her, to get to the top because of "innatability". "She doesn't have to do anything. There has never been any pressure to succeed. She has a balanced life."

Venus, who is in action in Eastbourne next week, says that grass doesn't bother her. "I enjoy every surface. You have to have a plan. My mind is set on winning Wimbledon. You can play great tennis for a fortnight and the next thing you know you have a Grand Slam tournament in your pocket. I have been there a little bit. I know how to win.

"I intend to be the best person everyday. I want my life to stay simple. I don't want people to look up to me and think that I'm not a real person. In the past I've been labelled an introvert. Now they think I'm an extrovert. We will continue to have fun."

Venus will not, however, be hitting Planet Hollywood when she turns 18 on 17 June. "As a Jehovah's Witness I don't celebrate birthdays." Her religion, she says, explains why she is so "well behaved".

Except when it comes to the question of Wimbledon '97. "I have played in just five Grand Slam events. Make that four. We didn't come to England last year."