Venus Williams vs Alexandra Stevenson 6-3 6-7(5) 11-9
Venus Williams/Alexandra Stevenson vs Serena Williams/Lori McNeil 8-4



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Williams, Stevenson Play For Foundation
April 6, 2002|By Charles Bricker Staff writer

Oracene Williams, mother of two of the best women tennis players in the
world, might be the most invisible member of the Williams family 364 days a
year.

But tonight at the Delray Beach Tennis Center she'll be on the microphone in
front of a few thousand people to seek financial support for the Oracene
Williams Learning Foundation and to reward her audience with an exhibition
between daughter Venus, the No. 2 ranked player on the WTA Tour, and
Alexandra Stevenson, another pro.

This is the second year the Williamses have gotten behind this charity with a
tennis match. The event is now sponsored by JP Morgan Chase. Charity
officials said they raised $75,000 a year ago, when both Venus and Serena and
Andy Roddick were on court at the Delray Beach Center.

OWL Foundation gives money to students living at or near the poverty level to
help advance their education. The foundation has "adopted" the Mary McCloud
Bethune School in Palm Beach County, which identifies students in need.

In addition, OWL this year for the second time gave a $10,000 scholarship to
a student at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where Venus and Serena
Williams are pursuing degrees in fashion design.

Williams and Stevenson go on court at 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets can
be purchased at the tennis center with prices beginning at $25.

OWL Foundation will also put on a free clinic for children at 4 p.m. at the
tennis center.

Charles Bricker can be reached at [e-mail].


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Game And Goodwill Get Together
SHERRI WINSTON ALL AROUND
April 12, 2002|SHERRI WINSTON ALL AROUND

Venus Williams' long, lithe form appeared liquid, flowing along the baseline
at the Delray Beach Tennis Center on Saturday.

My daughter asked, "Can I wave my sign?"

Her "sign" was a blue and white placard that stated: "Go Venus!" Lauren held
the sign above her head enthusiastically, as though she understood what we
were watching.

To raise money for the Oracene Williams Learning Foundation (OWL), Venus
challenged Alexandra Stevenson. In a later doubles match, Venus would pair
with Alexandra to challenge sister Serena and Lori McNeil.

Chilly winds blew in from the east. Spectators pulled on fleece-lined jackets
or sweaters or whatever. It was a good night for tennis. All around the
stadium, wind whipped palm trees and banners into frenzy, but on the playing
surface Venus and Alexandra provided their own gale force.

Pro Player Stadium. The Orange Bowl. The Miami Arena and the Triple A. When
it comes to local professional sports, I've seen 'em all.

Except tennis.

Although I've been a tennis fan since spunky Chris Evert was challenging the
overpowering Martina Navratilova, I'd never before attended a professional
match. So sitting in the stands with all the bright lights, surrounded by
lush green and anticipation, I got swept up and forgot it was a charity event.

"Ahhhhh!" I moaned when Venus rushed the net, miscalculated her distance and
failed to return Alexandra's shot.

Then, later, after Venus went ahead and the crowd was overwhelmingly in her
favor, I found myself pulling for Alexandra, calling out corny cheers like
"you can do it" and "hang in there, Alexandra!" Lauren looked at me like I
was a nut. Then she waved her sign again.

So it went, back and forth, back and forth. The level of competition was much
higher than I'd expected for a charity exhibition. Opting to forgo a third
set, Venus and Alexandra played a super-tiebreaker -- first one to 10, ahead
by two, wins.

By this point, the competitive juices were flowing. The same way some hoops
fans fantasize about being Michael Jordan or Alonzo Mourning, my imagination
placed me on the court. What a rush it must be to stare at your opponent,
anticipate her weakness and try to use it against her.

In college I played tennis, and several years ago I took tennis lessons in
Plantation. Now, the me in my head was a tennis whiz. A master of the game.
The me in my head was an animal on the baseline, devouring the lob and
polishing off cross-court action with a wicked backhand.

Unfortunately, none of my opponents would agree to meet me inside my head.
Therefore, my presence on the court was required.

On the court, I squealed when the ball appeared to rush at my face and often
forgot to step into my shot for added power, which means the ball would miss
the netting and "twack" against the racket's outer rim.

Watching Venus and Alexandra ratchet up their game made me smile. Perhaps
with the right equipment, and that would include a time machine, I could
still be competitive.

Well, on this night, thankfully, my game wasn't needed. Venus and Alexandra
brought plenty of game.

After a series of extended volleys and full-bodied extensions for returns,
Venus emerged the victor.

Between matches, Lauren and I wandered around the food court. Folks munching
arepas, hot dogs, chicken and pretzels milled around us. The whole night had
sort of a festival feel, kids running around, food smells mixing in the night
air, lots of good will.

Despite brisk winds, Lauren and I ate some Ben & Jerry's. On the court,
thanks to the OWL Foundation, Fort Lauderdale Art Institute's Ebony Patterson
accepted a $10,000 scholarship.

Friendly competition, intense athleticism and a heaping dose of goodwill.
That's what I call a good night.

Sherri Winston's column appears on Friday in Showtime; Wednesdays in
Lifestyle. She can be reached at [e-mail] or 954-356-4108.