Blootics

American tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, Serbian Jelena Jankovic walked the ramp at a players’ party, on the night before the Bangalore Open 2008 tennis tournament began, dressed in saris for the first time. Serena was draped in a golden-coloured sari, which contrasted very well with Venus’ all-blue attire.
A Times News Network photograph showed Venus holding on to her younger sister’s arm for support while walking the ramp. Venus advised the photographers to click as many pictures as they wanted since this would be the last time she would be wearing a sari. It was not, she added, that she didn’t like wearing a sari but that she found it difficult to put it on by herself. Serena, however, stated that she liked wearing a sari and would do so again. Whether she meant it is, of course, a different point! If the

sari becomes a regular part of their attire, the Williams sisters would have to add a dresser to their seven-member entourage! The Williams sisters may not have been informed that when women first started playing tennis in India, some of them did so in saris. That, of course, was in the good old days when tennis was played for relaxation and had not become a tournament event. In the 21st century, women’s tennis has not just become an intensely competitive professional sport but also — at least as far as the tabloids are concerned — a fashion statement of sorts.

Regarding Sania, the Williams sisters consider her as one of the most powerful hitters of the ball and said the Indian star was a treat to watch on the court. “We have big respect for Sania. She plays powerful tennis and super exciting to watch,” said the Williams sisters. They, however, are a bit disheartened by the fact that Sania is not playing on home turf. “She is also extremely nice person but pulled out of the Bangalore Open. Hopefully she will play next time,” the Williams sisters said. Venus and Serena, ranked 7th and 11th respectively on WTA ranking, said they were keen to win the event in India. “We really want to do well here and I feel people here want one of us to win so we want to do it for them.” On their being drawn in the bottom half of the singles event, which would deny them to meet each other in the final, Venus said, “I just have to do my best to make it to the final and two Williams playing in the semifinals will be good. In the doubles, there are decent chances of winning the title.”