Serena not ready to try battle of the sexes

[Marc]

Serena not ready to try battle of the sexes

Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Serena Williams isn't going to take on the best men in her sport regardless of how Annika Sorenstam does against the long-hitting stars of the PGA Tour.

"I wish I could play,'' the world's best female tennis player said Tuesday before doing a quick about-face.

"No I don't,'' she went on. "I mean, with tennis it's like Lennox Lewis against Laila Ali, but for golf maybe it's different.''

Sorenstam announced earlier this month that she will play in the Colonial in May.

The 21-year-old Williams wasn't around when Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes'' on Sept. 20, 1973. But Williams is aware that Riggs was never close to the top in men's tennis.

"Like I said, Lennox Lewis against Laila Ali,'' Williams said. "She'd have no chance against Lennox Lewis, and I'd have no chance against Andre Agassi. It's just different bodies and different types. I think it would be impossible.''

Williams made her comments during a rain delay at the State Farm Women's Tennis Classic, where she won the first of her 19 singles titles last year. She completed a "Serena Slam'' in January by beating her sister, Venus, in the Australian Open final after winning the 2002 French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open crowns.

Williams set a goal after withdrawing from last year's Australian Open because of a sore ankle -- to win every Grand Slam event the rest of the way. She never expected to realize it, but wanted to set her sights high to stay focused.

http://espn.go.com/tennis/s/2003/0225/1514385.html

With this being such a big issue in golf, good for Serena for staying where she is and working on becoming an all-time great.

[tennis4you]

Mertov actually talked about this on his show. I think Serena has really shown us her maturity level has really grown over the years! Same with Venus.

[Marc]

Speaking of Serena, she lost her quest for an undefeated 2003. But she made it quite far before losing so I have to hand it to her. She made a goal and went out to attain it. Very respectable.

[trayhezy]

I would like to have a battle of the sexes with Serena

[Marc]

Hey now. Anyway, Serena has now lost two matches this year. What a slouch.

[Bran]

Thank you, Serena! Nice to see a female understand the barrier between the two, and she can continue to be the most dominate tennis female player on the planet.

[rustin27]

truthfully i think in a tourney, any of the top six women players could make second or third round if they had a good draw. but they most likley would not go farther than that.