Clash of the Amazon Queens

by Savannah

Warrior woman. Amazon. Diva. All of these words can describe Jelena Jankovic, the Serbian Warrior Princess who has announced herself ready and able to ascend the throne over the bloodied carcasses of those who have been proclaimed by others to be The Queen of the Amazons but have not had their baptisms by blood or fire.

Terror Fabulous. Fierce Stomping Diva. Bitch. These words have described Serena Williams, younger sister of Venus and the one who their father always said was meaner and hungrier. Injury and tragedy (and yes, maybe a little ennui) forced her from her throne. But Serena Williams stood on Rod Laver Arena last night and screamed her defiance and her return to the heavens. Surely the Gods of Tennis heard her declaration and have been roused from their slumber. She is back and ready to reclaim her throne.

Jelena is not going to kindly step aside and allow Serena to reclaim the throne. The way to it will be blood-soaked and leave both winner and loser drained. Serena came into Melbourne having played one warm up and not doing well. Her naysayers said she was fat, out of shape and not moving well. Her third-round opponent didn't realize it was all lies until too late. When Petrova fell to the ground, she was conceding defeat. She knew she could not beat the woman across the net who looked ready to go another set if need be.



Jelena has played a lot of tennis, too much, some have said, and she is due to hit the wall and soon. Will it happen against Serena? I'm sure Serena has every intention of being the wall into which she runs.

Jelena can be mentally fragile as we all saw during her 2006 US Open match against Henin in New York. If fatigue sets in, how will Jelena react? Diva antics won't cut it at this level.

While other players nibble on cupcakes and feast on hype this match is the most anticipated women's match in a very long time. Who will win? I don't know. I do know both women will leave it all on the court.

We've already seen one match that will probably be counted among the top women's matches of 2007. Truth be told, the match Friday night raised the level on which women will be expected to play in 2007. Both women played well. But Petrova is not on the same level as a relatively fit and focused Serena. Yes, her footwork needs work and yes, Serena can stand to lose a few more pounds, but her will and determination overcame all of that against Petrova.



Proclaiming the darling of IMG a warrior does not put her in the same category as Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic. Jelena may be a drama queen but she is someone who embraces her inner diva, and warrior, with reckless abandon. She forces us to see her as a warrior queen. No one has to tell us what she is.

Serena's legions of fans have already awarded her the title of Princess. Last night she grabbed the title of Amazon Queen. She loves her inner diva and one can only laugh out loud when she puts on the innocent "Who, Me?" face during her interviews. That woman on court screaming, clawing and fighting her way to a victory? Oh yeah, I know her. We've talked.

The level of play Friday night is what women's tennis has missed the last few years. The hell with brown bottles, bananas and commercial endorsements defining women's tennis. To paraphrase Monday Night Football, we're ready for some tennis.