Chansky's Notebook: Venus Braver If Not Better

Venus Williams may have a better story than her sister Serena.

Venus has reached her first semifinal at Wimbledon in seven years and is one match away from a fifth championship shot against Serena, who at 34 remains the No. 1 player in the world. Venus at 36 is the bravest, playing for the 19th time at the All-England club, 16 years after she defeated Lindsay Davenport for her first of five Wimbledon championships. Venus is the oldest woman to get this far in 22 years, since Martina Navratilova did it at 37.

As the almost forgotten member of her family, Venus carries on while battling debilitating Sjoren’s Syndrome, a disease that weakens the joints and zaps energy. Sometimes she looks her age and sometimes she flashes the form that had writers.once quipping her memoirs would be called Venus Envy.

Then little sis came along, caught big sis and became the best woman’s player on the planet. Serena remains that today even though her game is void of serious competitors right now. That, In part, is how Venus, the 8th ranked player in the world, can get so far this year, beating no-name seeded opponents in their 20s. But it does not diminish her courage and grace under fire.

After her latest surprise, Venus said her love for the game trumps the pain and her underdog role, match after match. In one way, she has an advantage over Serena. She is not expected to beat ANYONE really good and thus carries no pressure onto the grass when she plays.

Venus called all the victories she can muster “big moments . . .unless you’re Serena. For Venus Williams,” Venus said, “this is an awesome day.”

Maybe there will be more to come.