Venus returns to grasscourt comfort

LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) Defending champion Venus Williams returns to her comfort zone next week, the familiar green lawns of Wimbledon providing the perfect setting for her brand of power tennis.

It is hard to believe that the towering American is just 26 -- she celebrated her birthday on Saturday -- because she has become such a fixture at the All England Club since making her debut, just turned 17, in 1997.

In 10 appearances she has won three titles and reached the final twice, losing both times to younger sister Serena.

As a lanky, smiling teenager Venus made an early impact in southwest London with her wide reach, long stride and flying, beaded locks.

As she matured, her fearsome serve, baseline power and speed at the net changed the face of the women's game.

Before Venus, Steffi Graf had been the acknowledged queen of Wimbledon and Martina Hingis was the rising talent. Athletic, graceful, tactically astute and with supreme touch, these players seemed to have it all.

Venus, then Serena, added raw power and swept all before them.

Perhaps because of her uncompromising high-impact game, Venus has suffered more than her fair share of injuries.

Some even suggested last year that after a injury, family bereavement, the distraction of her interest in interior design and flagging enthusiasm, she should be written off as a grand slam contender.

After returning to Wimbledon as a lowly 14th seed in 2005, however, the American produced a sustained display of battling determination and skill. She saw off the challenge of Maria Sharapova in a pulsating semi-final and Lindsay Davenport in a memorable three-set final -- the longest in the tournament's history.

She was the lowest women's seed to win. ''I was 14th seed, I wasn't supposed to win but I always bet on myself,'' she said afterwards.

This season she again missed three months with elbow and arm injuries and made it to the quarter-finals of the French Open, on her least favoured clay surface, before bowing out to promising 17-year-old Czech Nicole Vaidisova.

''During this last six weeks, I had a lot of challenges, physically, that I was able to overcome just to be here today,'' she said after the defeat. ''I just want to get stronger and get better.'' She was going home, she said, to practise her serve ''a lot more'' before Wimbledon.

Pity those on the other side of the net.

REUTERS PDS RAI0658