O/T - Serena has weighty issue ( with pic link )

Serena has weighty issue
By staff writers
January 11, 2006

SERENA Williams hit Rod Laver Arena yesterday carrying more than just her
kit bags.

Contrast ... Serena struggles as Venus stars. Pics: Fiona Hamilton

The defending Australian Open women's singles champion returned to Melbourne
Park with her weight and fitness the talk of the tennis circuit.

The bootylicious former world No.1 took to her practice session in tight,
white, three-quarter length leggings, hiding nothing from the happy
labourers who watched agog as she hit up with big sister Venus ahead of
Monday's opening session.

Officially weighted at 61kg by the WTA Tour, Serena cut a fearsome figure at
Melbourne Park yesterday.

She appears heavier than usual, though, leading into the year's first Major,
and doubts still linger over her fitness and form as her title defence
looms.

Her ankles were heavily strapped, and swelling on her left knee has also
plagued her in recent weeks, prompting an early withdrawal from the
Champions Challenge in Hong Kong last week.

Serena had not played competitive tennis for three months ahead of that
Australian Open preparation after an embarrassing first round defeat at the
China Open last September.

She suffered another blow in her first match in Hong Kong, too, when
Russian world No.9 Elena Dementieva won their clash 6-3 6-1 with minimal
fuss.
The ordinary run of form led to Serena being ranked outside the world's top
10 for the first time in seven years when the WTA Tour released its table of
stars yesterday.

She came in at unlucky No.13.

By contrast. Venus, the current Wimbledon champion and ranked No.10 in the
world, was a study of agile athleticism as she bopped and boogied to music
played over loudspeakers in Melbourne as a stream of grand slam stars
practised their games.

She will join Andy Roddick for tomorrow's launch of the American Express
Aces program which raises $100 for the Kids Tennis Foundation for every ace
hit during the tournament.

Additional reporting by Kelly Ryan, The Advertiser

FOX SPORTS