July 14, 2004

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Staying among the world's best a tough tennis challenge

by Rick Eymer

The challenge for many of the current top women's tennis players is not to break into the top 10 in the world, but to stay there. With so many younger players continuing to find their niche in the sport, the pressure to stay on top increases every year.

American Venus Williams and Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, who are both entered in this week's Bank of the West Classic at Stanford's Taube Family Center, and both were once considered among the up-and-coming players on the WTA tour.

Williams, of course, used to sit atop the rankings as late as July of 2002. She has four grand slam titles and 29 career WTA titles, including an Olympic Gold Medal.

Schnyder, who has yet to win a grand slam title, has been ranked as high as No. 8 February of 1999.

Williams is the Bank of the West's No. 1 seed, though she's ranked 15th in the latest world rankings. Lindsay Davenport, ranked fifth, is seeded second. Schnyder, ranked 16th in the world, is the event's No. 3 seed.

"The challenge is to be healthy and able to play consistently," Williams said. "The loss at Wimbledon was unexpected. I'm used to winning, or at least being in the finals. I know I'm a better player than that result."

Williams fell out of the top 10 after losing in the first round of Wimbledon. She's been bothered by an abdominal injury that slowed her last year.

"Physically this is the best I've been this year," she said. "It's the first time I'm able to get out there and run, and train and get in shape. It's like starting from the beginning."

Schnyder has also been bothered by injuries. She's just recovering from an upper arm injury.

"You never know," Schnyder said. "Women's tennis is getting so much better. The injury hit me hard. I was really disappointed at the French Open (where she lost in the second round). That's my favorite tournament."

Schnyder may be ready to regain her top 10 ranking. Before her arm injury, she reached the semifinals of the Australian Open before losing to No. 2 ranked Kim Clijsters, a two-time former champion at the Bank of the West. She took Clijsters to a tiebreaker in the second set.

Schnyder also owns a win over Davenport this year, in the quarterfinals of the Family Circle Cup in April.

"The tour is a lot better, up to the top 150 and also between the top 20," Schnyder said. "It's stronger and more competitive. People realize what it takes to be better. You have to be ready to learn something, watch matches and learn from the younger players. It's a constant battle."

Williams feels like she's ready to reclaim her top spot in the tennis kingdom now that she's injury-free.

"I feel like I am at that level now," she said. "I just haven't performed to the optimum of my ability. It's disappointing to go out and know I'm a better player but that I'm just not prepared."

Schnyder says she uses the presence of the younger players as motivation.

"I have a lot of experience that makes me look at things differently," she said. "I feel the pressure coming from the younger players. It's nice for a new challenge."

The Bank of the West continues through Sunday.

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