Jame Baker's Line:

"Small changes in global temperatures can lead to more extreme weather events."
-- NOAA administrator on the planet's changing climate

Well this is probably the first time a representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was quoted in a tennis publication. The next question may be a good one -- why?? Is it me or has more tennis be rained out this year than any other in recent memory? The first oddity of the year was the State Farm Women's Tennis Classic in usually sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. I have lived in the "Valley of the Sun" for nearly a decade and the freak winter storm at the beginning of March was among the most unusual weather events in my memory. Temperatures soared into the 80's midweek of the tournament, but the inaugural event was dealt a devastating blow when temperatures dropped 30 degrees and rain pounded the area for nearly three days. The championship match between Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport was cancelled as well as the double tournament from the semifinals on. I was willing to chalk this as just an oddity. But nearly a month later the WTA Amelia Island tournament also experienced significant rainfall that signficantly backed up the singles tournament and also cancelled the doubles event. This phenomenon did not confine itself to the United States as the men's and women's tournament in Estoril had a handful of rain delays as well as this month's ATP Munich event.

Believers of the "greenhouse effect" certainly did not need any further evidence to support their theory of global warming. So let this be a warning to the players of the both Tour and tennis fans around the globe...we may be in for a very long and frustrating Wimbledon!

Venus Williams's Line:

"I never considered retiring too much."
-- in response to rumors fueled by Richard Williams

We should start getting use to the Williams family propaganda machine, it is unlikely to come to an end until both sisters finally walk off the court for good. When that will exactly be will continue to be under constant speculation. The quotes coming out of the family is going to continue to flip-flop from supreme confidence (or dare we even say arrogance) to hedge bets of their rise to the top of the game. This was the case at this year's Ericsson Open. Venus made her first appearance of the year, but not on the court as the defending champion but as a spectator at sister Serena's matches. The younger sister exited earlier than expected in a tight fourth round match versus a rejuvenated Jennifer Capriati. After an exciting all-Williams final the prior year where father and coach, Richard Williams, proudly held up a sign "I told you so" the family was suddenly out of the limelight. The next day Mr. Williams announced Venus's probable retirement, Serena's future exit from the game in a few years, and insinuated that tennis was just a money-making machine for future family investments and businesses. Considered the pot stirred.

Venus finally returned to the Tour and Hamburg and squelched the rumors for now with the above quote despite her eventual quarterfinal loss to Amanda Coetzer. Likewise in a familiar pattern, Venus's return was on the heels of Serena's latest injury absence. I have a feeling fans of the Williams sisters are the same folks who love rollcoasters. Since their atypical debuts on the WTA Tour, it has been an emotional thrill ride -- and not unlike a good mystery I am sure most folks expect a lot of twists and turns (and "red herrings" of course!) still lie ahead.