Venus146; orbit in doubt sans Serena

Venus Williams admitted on Sunday that it will be a strange experience when she opens her title defence at Wimbledon this year without sister Serena by her side.

Venus Williams admitted on Sunday that it will be a strange experience when she opens her title defence at Wimbledon this year without sister Serena by her side.

Serena is absent with a knee injury and has played just four matches since last year8217;s US open, three of them at the Australian Open in January. In her absence, Venus will be bidding for her fourth Wimbledon title. Winner in 2000 and 2001, she had to settle for the runners-up spot behind Serena in 2002 and 2003 before claiming a third title last year at the expense of Lindsay Davenport.

As Serena8217;s injuries have led to speculation that the 24-year-old will quit the game, Venus admitted that it would be hard to continue on the circuit if her younger sister did decide to call it a day. 8220;We haven8217;t talked about it, but it8217;s probably really tied,8221; said Venus of their careers. 8220;It would be really sad without her. I don8217;t know. I think I8217;d have to be my own person obviously. I think I8217;d like it if we retired together. But it8217;s not really in the frame right now.8221;

Speaking ahead of the defence of her Wimbledon title, which gets under way on Tuesday against compatriot Bethanie Mattek, Williams added: 8220;I8217;d love for Serena to be here. It8217;s just so much more fun; we8217;re a team. But as they say, you can8217;t have everything. I8217;ve had her here so many years, she8217;s had me.8221;

Williams defeated Davenport in last year8217;s final, her 4-6, 7-6, 9-7 victory in two hours and 45 minutes the longest women8217;s final in history. She is seeded sixth this year after winning 10 of her 14 matches in 2006.

The 26-year-old has not won a tournament since victory at the All England Club but remains confident of challenging for a fourth title. 8220;I always enjoy being here. I8217;m not in the proving people wrong business, but I am in the business of playing very good tennis, particularly at Wimbledon,8221; she added.

8220;Am I more relaxed this year? It seems like it. But once that first round comes around, obviously that will be the true test of really how I feel. So far I feel very good. When I come to a tournament, especially Wimbledon, I feel like I8217;m definitely one of the main contenders to do that.