Former gold medalists Venus and Serena Williams are expected to play both singles and doubles for the Olympic team announced Wednesday by the U.S. Tennis Association. The nine-member team also includes Lindsay Davenport, who won a gold medal in singles at the 1996 Games. She'll play singles and has been nominated for doubles with Liezel Huber, ranked No. 1 in the world in doubles.
The International Tennis Federation is still filling roster spots, and the USTA anticipates another place will be available on the women's team. It's expected to go to Jill Craybas, who would be a first-time Olympian at age 34.Zina Garrison will coach the women's team. "With three former gold medalists on our team and the No. 1 doubles player in the world, we are certainly capable of earning medals at this Olympics," Garrison said.
At the 2000 Games, the Williams sisters became the first siblings to combine for an Olympic gold medal in doubles. Venus also won the gold in singles. The only other woman to sweep both titles was Helen Wills in 1924. Tennis will be played Aug. 10-17 in Beijing.
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