Serena and Venus profiled in NY Times Magazine

The US Open begins today which means my face will be glued to the television even more than usual over the next two weeks because I just can’t get enough of my tennis.

We already know how compelling the men’s game is with the dominating trio of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal and Olympic champion Andy Murray knocking at the door.

But the women’s game had essentially been as dull as dishwater until this summer when Maria Sharapova won the French Open then Serena Williams took Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal.

Serena, winner of 14 grand slam titles, is still only ranked number four but she is the favorite to win. She and sister Venus are also the favorites to win the doubles after the won both Wimbledon and the Olympics.

The New York Times Sunday Magazine has a compelling cover story on these two sisters who, between them, have won five US Open singles titles. The story had originally been pitched to be about their decline but after such terrific summer, it’s about their remarkable comeback and how they remain the most compelling story in the sport.

Serena last won the US Open in 2008 and since then, she’s had a few very famous run-ins with umpires and line judges.

“Every year at the Open something happens,” she says. “Like last year I got a point penalty because of a grunt. Meanwhile, I can name five girls who grunt way louder than I do, and the umpire didn’t even give them a warning. And then I had the ball called out that was this far in. It’s always something. I’m thinking, already, something’s gonna happen this year at the Open. I’m just thinking, Serena, say your prayers, fall on your knees. It’s frustrating, because it’s my home country, you’re playing for the home, but it’s like, the way the umpires have been makes me not want to play there. I’d rather play in Australia, or I’d rather play at Wimbledon.”

Serena is a five-time champion at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. She won the US Open in 1999, 2002 and 2008.