Los Angeles, Nov 10: Serena and Venus Williams continued to cast long shadows at the WTA tour championships, when they were conspicuous absentees from a parade of former top-ranked players at a ceremony honoring the 30th anniversary of the WTA tour. Both of the Williams sisters skipped the three-million-dollar season finale, Serena citing her recovery from knee surgery and Venus the lingering effects of an abdominal strain.

Neither has played since they met in the Wimbledon final.

"It's too bad they didn't make it," Martina Navratilova said. "Serena was in town. I don't know where Venus is." The former world number ones who were on hand included not only Navratilova - who had a doubles match afterward - but also her longtime rival Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, current world number one Kim Clijsters and soon-to-be world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne.

"I think Justin and Kim got a kick out of it," Navratilova said. "You get the feeling of being part of such a special sport. If players come to things like this, they would understand. But you have to make the effort."

She pooh-poohed the idea that such a public appearance would put pressure on the sisters.

"You just take your bow and ask in the applause," said Navratilova, who received the loudest ovation of any of the players. Bureau Report