Serena: Beijing Practice (Part 4)

Tennis Royalty: 27 Grand Slam singles titles in one picture

VENUS - 7 Grand Slam Titles (2 US Open, 5 Wimbledon)

SERENA - 8 Grand Slam Titles (3 Australian, 1 French, 2 Wimbledon, 2 US Open)

ROGER (Federer) - 12 Grand Slam Titles (3 Australian, 5 Wimbledon, 4 US Open)

Beijing Olympics: 1st Rnd Doubles (Sunday)

1st Round

Venus/Serena (USA) [2] vs I. Benesova/N. Vaidisova (CZE)

2nd match of the day on Court 2

Matches begin at 5pm (5am EST)

Visit http://www.nbcolympics.com/ for online streaming
5:00am - 10:00am EST

* The USA Network will air tennis Sunday, (8/10) 2am - Monday, (8/11) 2pm EST.

Other sports that will air during this window of Olympic coverage:

Soccer, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Equestrian and Archery.

Serena: Beijing Practice (Part 3)

Beijing Olympics: 1st Round (Sunday)

1st Round

Serena Williams (USA)[4] vs. Olga Govortsova (BLR)

Head-To-Head 0-0

2nd match of the day on Center Court

Visit http://www.nbcolympics.com/ for online streaming

10:30pm EST (8/9/08) - 3:30am EST (8/10/08)

* CNBC will air tennis coverage Sunday, 12:00am - 4:30am EST.

The following sports will also be televised during this window of Olympic coverage:

Boxing, 64kg and 69kg

Williams Sisters bid for multiple medals

BEIJING (AP) - Seated side by side amid a roomful of strangers, Venus and Serena Williams exchanged glances and giggles like a couple of kids in the back of an elementary school class. Instead they were front and center at an Olympic news conference Friday. The sisters' unique relationship has long played out on the world stage, and in Beijing they're U.S. teammates, doubles partners and potential opponents in the singles final.

Venus and Serena have made the Olympics a family affair once before - at the 2000 Games in Sydney. They became the first siblings to win the doubles, and Venus also won the singles to join 1924 champion Helen Wills as the only women to sweep both titles. There were no milestones for the sisters four years later in Athens. Serena missed those games because of a knee injury, and Venus lost in the third round.

In Beijing, they're together again. "Being here with Serena is so much fun," Venus said. "In Sydney we had a blast. In Athens I didn't have as much fun because she wasn't there. It completes everything for me to have her here." There were doubts as to whether the sisters would be healthy enough to make the trip, because both are nursing knee injuries. Venus' most recent match was the victory over her sister in the Wimbledon final five weeks ago, and Serena hasn't played since retiring from the semifinals July 19 in Stanford, Calif.

When Venus was asked if she's concerned about her knee holding up on Beijing's hard courts, she said: "I'm blocking that out - mind over matter." Said Serena: "I'm working on just getting better, and everything is going to be looking good."

Teammate Lindsay Davenport withdrew from singles Friday because of a lingering knee injury that has sidelined her since late June. She still hopes to play doubles with Liezel Huber, and they could meet the No. 2-seeded Williams sisters in the final. Even with the sisters involved, doubles matches are usually relegated to outer courts, where crowds are small. But when Olympic tennis begins Sunday, the Williams-Williams partnership will be among the main attractions. Doubles also offers the best medal hope for the U.S. men, with Bob and Mike Bryan seeded No. 1.

"In the Olympics the singles and the doubles are the same, because a gold medal is a gold medal," Venus said. She and Serena have been partners in only four tournaments since the summer of 2003, but they've combined for seven Grand Slam titles, most recently at this year's Wimbledon only hours after their singles final. Williams-Williams have never worried much about doubles tactics, instead relying on thunderclap strokes.

"They're always tough to play against because they're powerful, even though they're not really quite doing doubles movements," said Olympian Ai Sugiyama, who lost to the sisters at this year's Australian Open. "At the net they're just standing there instead of moving or crossing or poaching. But they're tall, and their quality of serves and strokes is great." At Sydney the sisters were so overpowering their semifinal opponents from Belgium abandoned the net to avoid dealing with Williams volleys from point-blank range. "We had such a great time in Sydney," Venus said. "We felt like we couldn't miss, and we didn't."

The sisters' domination of singles on the women's tour began a year later. They met in a Grand Slam final for the first time at the 2001 U.S. Open, and that was part of a stretch where Venus or Serena won seven of nine major singles titles. Venus won Wimbledon for the fifth time this year, increasing to seven her total of Grand Slam singles titles. Serena has won eight majors but ranks her Olympic medal in doubles as her top achievement.

"It was never my goal to play the Olympics," Serena said. "Growing up it was like Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and winning Grand Slams. But when I did win that gold medal, it's definitely my best trophy I have by far. I'm like Carl Lewis and Jackie Joyner-Kersee and thinking of all these wonderful athletes that did win Olympic gold medals. You're one of the few that have, and it was really cool." Venus agreed. "It has been beyond my dreams to play the Olympics," she said. "It takes awhile to set in. A few years after you win you're like, 'Wait a minute, this is my gold. Oh, my gosh, yes.'"

Serena: Beijing Practice (Part 2)

Williams Sisters: Beijing Practice

Olympic Tennis: Serena and Ivanovic in same half

The world number one is in the easier half of the draw where her sternest test looks to be a possible semi-final match-up with Serena Williams. Second seed Jelena Jankovic, meanwhile, opens against Cara Black of Zimbabwe but will keep close tabs on Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, her potential semi-final opponent. Third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and fellow Russian Dinara Safina also lurk in the bottom half of the draw. The Olympic tennis tournament No. 4 seed Serena Williams will make her Olympic singles debut against Olga Govortsova.

Williams Sisters take over Tennis Channel

During the month of August, tennis' supreme Sister-Act, Venus and Serena Williams, dominate Tennis Channel programming with a few of their classic matches and a "No Strings" special.

Aug. 11th 8pm No Strings : Williams Sisters

Aug. 11th 9pm Masters Series: Miami : 1999
Aug. 12th 12am Masters Series: Miami : 1999

Aug. 12th 9pm Australian Open Classics : 2003
Aug. 13th 12am Australian Open Classics : 2003

Aug. 13th 9pm Wimbledon Classic : 2003
Aug. 14th 12am Wimbledon Classic : 2003

Aug. 14th 8pm No Strings : Williams Sisters
Aug. 14th 9pm Wimbledon Classic : 2008
Aug. 15th 12am Wimbledon Classic : 2008

Aug. 18th 12pm Masters Series: Miami : 1999
Aug. 18th 2pm No Strings : Williams Sisters

Aug. 19th 12pm Wimbledon Classic : 2003

Aug. 20th 12pm Wimbledon Classic : 2008

Aug. 29th 3pm No Strings : Williams Sisters

Aug. 30th 2am No Strings: Williams Sisters

(All times are Eastern Standard / EST)

US Olympic Tennis Team

Williams Sisters arrive in Beijing

Serena's weapon of choice: Wilson [K] Blade Team

The Wilson K Blade Team is an update to the K Blade 106 and features traditional feel, but in a lighter, more forgiving headsize. The added strength and stability of Wilson's K Factor technology continues in the K Blade Team. A 22mm flat beam and 104 square inch headsize provide solid feel and ample control for intermediate to advanced players with a medium to fast swing. Dense 18x19 string pattern further enhances control.

All [K] Factor racquets utilize Wilson's proprietary next-generation [K]arophite Black structure which adds additional bonds between the SiO2 and graphite molecules on a nanoscopic scale, resulting in more feel and a stronger, more stable racquet. Overall, there are 4 new key [K] Factor technology concepts found in various configurations depending on the [K] Factor model:

[K]arophite Black - an evolution of Wilson nCode technology which utilizes a new structure incorporating additional bonds between the SiO2 and graphite molecules on a nanoscopic scale, resulting in more feel and a stronger, more stable racquet.

[K]onnector - 2 external wings molded into each side of the hoop to increase dwell time of the ball upon impact, providing greater control and comfort.

[K]ontour Yoke - New frame cross-section shape that enhances stiffness at key stress points for improved torsional stability

[K]ompact Center - New shortened yoke design that improves handling, maneuverability, and provides additional feel.

Serena's attire: Day Dress Fall 2008

Serena's court day dress features a fitted body with a pleated skirt for ease of movement. Made with Dri-FIT ultra light weight jersey and Dri-FIT mesh to keep you cool and comfortable. Built in bra, zoned mesh at the back, and Swoosh design trademark at the left chest.

TENNIS: Olympic coverage on TV and Online!

NBC Universal will show 3,600 hours of the Beijing Olympic Games, the most ambitious single media project in history. The 3,600 total hours of coverage will be telecast on seven NBC Universal networks: NBC, USA, MSNBC, CNBC, Oxygen, Telemundo and Universal HD and NBCOlympics.com. NBCOlympics.com will feature approximately 2,200 total hours of live streaming Olympic broadband video coverage, the first live online Olympic coverage in the United States.

"For the first time, the average American will be able to create their own unique Olympic experience whether at home, at the office or on-the-go," said Dick Ebersol (Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics and Executive Producer of NBCU's Olympic coverage).

The NBCU networks will offer more live coverage than any Olympics in history, domestic or foreign, despite the 12-hour time difference from the Eastern time zone to Beijing. Approximately 75 percent of NBCU's Beijing Olympics coverage will be live. You can personalize your TENNIS viewing (on TV and Online) by visiting the following link:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv_and_online_listings/zone=ET/day=2/sport=TE/index.html

Once there, you will be able to "change location/time zone" for a COMPLETE (day-by-day) listing of ALL Tennis matches at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. As for Serena's matches (singles and doubles), her schedule will be highlighted right here on Serena Williams: Diary of a Grand Slam Champion where it is ALL Serena, ALL the time!

Learning from Serena Williams' Determination

Serena is featured in the COMPLETE PLAYER section (page 58) of the August 2008 TENNIS Magazine (w/ Pete Sampras on the cover). (Photo by Al Bello / Getty Images).

1. Intimidate with attitude
Since winning the 2007 Australian Open, Serena Williams has improved her conditioning and returned to the top of the game. But the most important part of her resurgence, I believe, is the confi dence she regained in Melbourne last year. For a while, Williams seemed dejected on the court and didn’t get the most out of her game. In Australia, she might not have been in the best shape of her career, but she believed she would win. No matter how fi t you are or how much practice you’ve had, you need to make sure you produce your best tennis despite your limitations. This begins and ends with your attitude. Compete in a positive way and don’t beat yourself up when the slightest thing goes wrong. These days, Williams doesn’t display negative emotions as often, and her opponents notice.

2. Return offensively
Does anyone in tennis enjoy returning serve as much as Serena Williams? She can’t wait to take a cut at the ball. Williams hits all of her returns early rather than letting the ball bounce high as the server resets her feet. On first serves, she stands on the baseline; on second serves, she steps well inside it. No doubt Williams’ opponents get worried just seeing her across the net with that determined look on her face as she creeps farther inside the baseline. Williams has impeccable timing and quick hands, and I don’t expect club players to match those skills. But the lesson here is, don’t ignore your return of serve or treat it like a defensive shot. You shouldn’t be content just putting the ball back in play, especially if your opponent has a weak serve. Step into the court and take a few chances. Odds are that if you show your opponent you mean business when you return, her serve will deteriorate further. Pressure is an important tool in anyone’s arsenal, and you should apply it when you’re returning, too, not just when you’re serving.

3. Battle your nerves
Don’t believe that everyone gets nervous on court? Watch a replay of Williams as she tried to close out the Sony Ericsson Open final this year against Jelena Jankovic. Williams established a big lead in the third set and suddenly became tight. She didn’t move between shots and her strokes were uncharacteristically stiff. She made poor decisions and began to look tired (nerves use up a lot of energy). But in the end, she fought through the jitters. If Serena Williams gets nervous, you’re going to get nervous, too. So will your opponent. I like the way Williams managed her crisis in those last few games. She took a little more time between points and steadied herself with a few safe rallies before regaining her aggressiveness. She also prevented her emotions—namely, frustration—from getting the better of her. The next time you fi nd yourself feeling the pressure, don’t ask, “Why me?” Instead say, “It happens to everyone. I’ll get through it.” You’ll improve your chances of success.

4. Choose your weapon
Williams switched to a smaller, more traditional racquet before the 2007 Australian Open. In doing so, she emphasized the importance of control and feel. Regular players often fall in love with the power of big frames but don’t think about consistency. More power isn’t always better.

Article by Paul Annacone. Paul is Britain’s Davis Cup coach and the head men’s coach for the Lawn Tennis Association.

Serena's Beijing Olympic Games Outfit?

Serena promoting The NIKE+ Human Race 10K

On 08/31/08, Nike is making a statement like no other before. Nike is putting on the World’s Largest Running Event. The 10k event will be the ultimate runner experience. By combining our digital running world with the physical, the Nike+ Human Race is open to anyone, anywhere. Nike is hosting race events in 25 cities around the world, but by logging into nikeplus.com, every city and every road can become a race-day course.

The Nike+ Human Race is the world’s largest running event. It will be held anywhere a registered runner chooses to hit the pavement. Nike has organized 25 physical race cities, but the Nike+ Human Race is truly open to everyone, everywhere. If you don’t live in a race city, just sign up at nikeplus.com to participate and run in your city. Simply use Nike + iPod or Nike+ SportBand to track your miles on race day and then download miles on nikeplus.com to have your results officially counted as part of the race.

Visit www.nikeplus.com to access the Nike+ Human Race Web site and registration form where you can sign up online.

As participants in the Nike+ Human Race, runners will be able to run for one of the following charitable causes:

LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION: empowers cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and raises awareness for the fight against cancer. www.livestrong.org

THE UN REFUGEE AGENCY: the UNHCR's ninemillion.org campaign is committed to giving refugee children the chance to learn and play. Your donations help vulnerable children get the education to support themselves for a lifetime. www.ninemillion.org

WWF: works globally to reduce the impacts of climate change. As the world's largest international conservation organization in the world, WWF has been protecting the future of nature for more than 45 years. www.wwf.org

Williams Sisters US Open "Road Trip" Commercial