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NEW YORK -- The great benefit to Serena Williams missing the U.S. Open is that we're getting a refresher course on Venus Williams.For so long, Serena's persona and antics, and her superior play, have hidden not just everyone else on tour, but also her big sister. And because so many people don't seem to realize that Venus and Serena are different people, Serena has not only clouded the view of Venus, but also altered it.
At the U.S. Open, Venus has been a picture of courage, eloquence and grace. Come to think of it, she usually is. Serena was making us forget.
Venus is 30 now, and after beating French Open champ Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (5), 6-4, she advanced to the semifinals for the first time in three years. It is only the second time she has gotten this far in any major, other than Wimbledon, in the past seven years.
"Still young, I would say,'' she said. "Still young in the head. Really young in the head.''
What a treat to see Williams here again. You had to wonder if she would ever contend for another major title, and especially this one, which she hasn't won since 2001.
Maybe this is her last, best chance. But we've thought that before, too.
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More: US Open Scores | Photos
Note that she said she's young "in the head.'' Her knees didn't get the memo. She's in pain, and has been off-and-on for over a year. She had not played a match since Wimbledon, and it's just a hunch, but I don't think her knees are holding up well now, either.
"I'm in the tournament; I can't complain," she said. "You know, I never do. So I'm OK."
It's smart not to let your opponent know how hurt you are. But also, it is a brave front, and there is courage in how she's going on this run.
The funny thing is that the injury might also be helping her. The problem with Williams' game is that she does only one thing -- bashes the ball -- and not much else. She has spent the year playing great several days in a row, as well as anyone, and then dropping in one serious clunker. When that one hits, she has no way out of it, no alternative strategy to turn to.
This year, she has won two tournaments, but also lost 6-0, 6-1 to Jelena Jankovic. She lost 6-2, 6-1 to Kim Clijsters, and that's who she'll play Friday.
So I asked her what she can do to stop these slides when they happen.
"Just stay positive,'' she said. "I think some of my matches that were bad, at least the ones that I was feeling pretty solid physically, I think I expect so much from myself that I just get a little disappointed that I wasn't playing well.
"So it's important not to really care whether or not you miss that last shot, or the last 20, just to focus on the next one."
With the knee injury, she's clearly coming into the net more, theoretically to shorten points and reduce the pounding on the hard courts. She should always come in this much, as she's intimidating at the net, and among the best volleyers on tour.
But 30 years old on bad knees, well, it's possible she's getting near the end. If that's the case, then this tournament has been like a gift not only to her, but also to us.
Remember, she was the first Williams sister here. She was the one to break down whatever walls had to be broken. Serena followed.
The other day, Venus beat Shahar Peer, and then went on so eloquently about her feelings when Peer was denied entry last year into the tournament in Dubai. They didn't want an Israeli in that tournament.
While I think Williams should have boycotted on the spot, and others would have followed -- as the tour's leader, what she does carries serious weight -- her talk the other day was emotional.
She said she identified, as an African American, with Peer. She talked about rage and feelings of discontent. Now, one black player and one Israeli are forever linked.
If Serena were here, the discussion would be about her dogs, or her earrings, or her mysterious foot injury. Serena told USA Today that she stepped on broken glass at a restaurant. A couple weeks earlier, her agent told me that she was there and that Serena had not stepped on glass.
Whatever. It is true that Venus has caused a stir this year in Australia, France and now here in New York, with the skimpy dresses she has designed. This one doesn't seem to fit right, and she's constantly tugging on it.
But come on. Venus is not a sideshow.
If I had to guess, I'd think she'll lose to Clijsters, the defending champ. But how fun it would be to see Venus in the final of a major again. Remember when she got to her first final here in 1997, still a kid?
Frankly, it's just fun seeing her again at all.
E-mail me at gregcouch09@aol.com. Follow me on Twitter @gregcouch
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