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The
warmth of summer has returned, and now, as in days gone by, all eyes turn
to that model of decorum and gentility, the annual competition at the
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, more commonly known as Wimbledon.
This year's tournament marks the return of two of the sport's brightest
and most binary young stars, the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena. After
an injury-plagued start in the new millennium, the Williams sisters hope
to regain the momentum that led to Serena's 1999 U.S. Open victory.
Venus
Williams
Venus, the older of the two, was born on June 17, 1980, at 2:12 pm PDT,
in Lynwood, California. Venus was born with Sun and Venus in Gemini, a
dual sign associated with both siblings and manual dexterity, but perhaps
it is the powerful planet Pluto that describes her best. Pluto was rising
in the east at Venus's birth, which places it on her Ascendant (rising
sign) in Libra. The rising sign tends to describe the physical appearance
and outer personality. The planet Pluto is intense and domineering, not
unlike Venus' serve! Standing almost six feet tall, she is an imposing
presence on the court, graceful and strong with extraordinary concentration
and will. Tiger
Woods also has the planet Pluto rising in Libra in his
birth chart, and exhibits the same competitive drive and focus.
With
the sign Libra rising, Venus is not only her name, but also her planetary
ruler. The planet Venus, named for the goddess of beauty and love, has
always been closely associated with the sign Libra. Librans are often
gracious and beautiful, with highly developed social skills—at least on
their good days. The other 50 percent of the time, those scales can get
way out of balance!
Venus
Williams has displayed both sides of the Libran dichotomy throughout her
career. In her early days on the pro tour, when she burst on the tennis
scene with beads a-flapping and her outspoken father/manager, Richard,
at her side, her very presence seemed to provoke confrontation with the
predominantly white tennis elite. The Williamses had something to prove,
and there were a few uncomfortable incidents. Nothing succeeds like success
though, and through her experiences, Venus has matured into a more balanced
and charming champion. In keeping with her planetary namesake, she is
interested in fashion and design, and has become quite adept at managing
the millions she has made from tournaments and endorsements.
Serena
Williams
It was Venus who took the heat, beating open the doors that her younger
sister Serena would later waltz through. Fifteen months her junior, Serena
was born on September 26, 1981, at 8:28 pm EDT, in Saginaw, Michigan.
The tennis world seemed better prepared for the onslaught when Serena
turned pro, or so they thought. Richard Williams had boasted that Serena
was even better than Venus, but most thought it was just idle talk. However,
Serena's impressive victory at last year's U.S. Open proved his point.
Momentarily eclipsing Venus, Serena brought home the family's first Grand
Slam title.
Serena
Williams has Sun, Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury in the sign Libra, with
the sign Taurus rising on the Ascendant. Taurus gives a more stable and
practical personality, and like Libra, it is also associated with the
planet of beauty and love, Venus. Serena is blessed with a flawless physique,
and years of hard work have developed her musculature to such a fine tone
that her appearance is nothing less than breathtaking.
With
so many planets in the Sixth House of work, health and routine, her personality
is well suited for the constant training regimen that top athletes must
endure. Denial, discipline and diet have all paid off in her rapid development
as a world class competitor. Libras tend to be other-oriented and rarely
like to do anything alone, so both sisters have benefited from the challenge
and support of having each other as life-long training partners!
The
sisters have both won their opening round matches at Wimbledon, but tougher
challenges lie ahead. Venus has been out of competition most of the year,
trying to recover from tendonitis in her wrist, while Serena only made
it to the quarter-finals at the recent French Open. On the road to the
finals they could face their old nemesis, Martina Hingis, or perhaps fellow
American Lindsey Davenport, or even the resurgent Mary Pierce. Serena
would seem to be in better astrological shape than her sister, but whatever
challenges they face, the Williams sisters will bring style to the starchy
traditions of Wimbledon. They have already changed women's tennis forever.
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