Paris, May 22: Earlier in their tennis careers, sisters Venus and Serena Williams were inseparable. They practised together, traveled together and shopped together. And they played in grand slam finals together, squaring off in six.
Lately, however, between endorsement commitments, and Serena's acting, and Venus' interior designing, they see less of each other. And with both beseiged by injuries, their on-court meetings have grown less frequent, too.
"We have very tight schedules," Venus said. "At Charleston (in April), I said, 'I won't see you again until the French Open'."
They were to find out in yesterday's draw at Roland Garros when they might see each other on court during the year's second major.
Neither played a match last season after the Wimbledon final in July. Venus' strained stomach muscle prevented her from winning the fourth-round at the French Open and caused her to double over in pain between serves at the All England Club. Serena recently underwent surgery on her left knee.



Before those setbacks, the sisters played in five of the six grand slam finals, including the 2002 French Open. Serena won each time.


Bureau Report