Venus Williams (United States)

Venus Williams (United States)

Age: 24
Lives: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Plays: Right-handed (double-handed backhand)
Grand-slam titles: Four (Wimbledon 2000, 2001, US Open 2000, 2001)
Record at US Open: 2003-DNP, 2002-runner-up, 2001-winner, 2000-winner, 1999-semi-final, 1998-semi-final, 1997-runner-up.

A stunning athlete, Venus was earmarked as a potential world number one by her father Richard well before she turned professional aged 14.

Those who doubted him were soon to eat their words as Venus reached her first grand slam final in 1997 and finally broke through with victory at Wimbledon in 2000.

Venus dominated the game for most of 2000 and 2001 but lost four straight grand slam finals to younger sister Serena in 2002/03.

After dropping out of top 10 for the first time since 1997 she hit back this year with victory in Charleston, but lost early at Wimbledon and the Olympics.

Numerous off-court interests suggest her focus is waning and it will take something special for her to win her third title in New York.