Williams will show but won't play
By Kathleen Nelson
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/20/2007

Serena Williams
(Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Serena Williams will honor her commitment to the St. Louis Aces on Monday in
all ways but one: She won't compete for the team.

Williams, winner of eight Grand Slam singles titles, injured her calf and
thumb at Wimbledon. The calf has healed; the thumb has not. Williams withdrew
from last weekend's Fed Cup match and from the WTA tour stop this week in
Cincinnati and next week in Stanford, Calif.

"We have to respect the doctor's opinion and Serena's health," Aces GM Dani
Apted said. "But she's a class act to come and take part in everything else."

Williams will participate in a clinic from 6 to 6:45 p.m. for ticket holders
ages 6 to 16 only. Each participant also will receive a free racket and
tennis ball.

She also will conduct a question-and-answer session with the crowd at
halftime, then sign autographs for fans ages 16 and under after the match.

The match is sold out, and there are no refunds. Individual ticket holders
for the match Monday can exchange their tickets for the match Tuesday
featuring Pete Sampras. Exchanges will be available on a first-come,
first-served basis only from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Dwight Davis Tennis
Center in Forest Park.