Venus set for San Jose tourney
Williams made pro debut at 14 in Bay Area event
Call it Venus Williams’ silver anniversary.
Back in 1994, Williams made her professional debut as a precocious 14yearold in the Bay Area’s annual women’s tennis tournament, held that year at the Oakland Coliseum Arena. Twentyfive years later, she’s part of the field in one of the tour’s most storied events.
It was confirmed on Monday that Williams has entered the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, to be held July 29Aug. 4 at San Jose State. A quarterfinalist last year and a twotime singles champion at the event, she will be making her 15th appearance overall.
For those who witnessed Venus’ comingout party in Oakland that night, there are memories for a lifetime. She already had gained acclaim as an upandcoming Southern California prodigy who had been held out of the junior ranks by her father, Richard, but was still gaining notice as as a powerful athlete with tremendous potential.
That year, the Women’s Tennis Association had decided to implement the socalled “Capriati rule,” designed to avoid the type of teenageburnout scenario that temporarily dismantled Jennifer Capriati’s career. Players 14 and under were to be allowed to play a few tournaments, and it seemed certain that the age limit would be raised for players choosing to turn pro.
The 1994 Bank of the West Classic was held in late October, and Venus had just turned 14, so Richard decided to have her turn pro immediately. She hadn’t played a competitive match at any level in more than three years, but with anticipation at a fever pitch and some 250 media credentials issued, she made her debut on Halloween night against 57thranked Shaun Stafford — and won, 63, 64. It took the resolve and vast experience of Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, ranked No. 1 in the world at the time, to dispatch Venus 26, 63, 60 in the second round.
This marks the second year for the San Jose State location of the tournament, which has been played throughout the Bay Area since 1971 and lists Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams as champions.
The draw has not been set, and there are three wildcard selections yet to be determined, but Venus will play her first match at 7 p.m. July 30.
Other notable entries:
French Open semifinalist Amanda Anisimova, a 17yearold of Russian heritage but raised in the U.S. and considered this country’s top young player.
Victoria Azarenka, who won the 2012 and ’13 Australian Opens and reached the U.S. Open final both years.
Garbiñe Muguruza, who won majors at the 2016 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon.
Jelena Ostapenko, a surprise winner (over Simona Halep) in the 2017 French Open final.
Last year’s finalists, Mihaela Buzarnescu and Maria Sakkari. (Buznarescu won 61, 60.)
Danielle Collins, a fastrising American player who reached this year’s Australian Open semifinals.
Elina Svitolina, currently the world No. 7 and a semifinalist at Wimbledon.
On the nostalgia front, fans will be able to see some former greats in action Aug. 3. The Invesco Series event, part of a legends tour, will feature 2003 U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick, 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang, 10time tour winner James Blake and 11time tour champion Mark Philippoussis. Their competition will be held following the evening women’s semifinal match.