Readers Hit Plaschke With a Tank

Bill Plaschke did not cover the Venus-Serena match for the Lipton Cup [March 29]; he preferred to quote Venus’ remarks afterward to try to prove that no tennis was played. He should simply have watched and enjoyed the match and remembered that these were two girls of high school age who had played together since they were in grammar school and now were meeting in the finals of a major championship in a sold-out stadium in front of a national TV audience. I’d say they played very well under the circumstances and that no one in the audience who watched the match felt cheated, but what are they supposed to do about the circumstance of a sportswriter who thinks what teenagers say is more important then what they do on the court?

FORREST STRAYER, Laguna Woods

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I read Bill Plaschke’s article on the Venus-Serena Williams championship final with disbelief and dread. I rolled through paragraph after paragraph expecting at any moment he would allow pride for the spectacular accomplishment of fellow Angelenos to seep through. He never did.

Bill’s speculation that the sisters’ efforts were lackluster, their match played according to a predetermined script, was insulting. Their sporting excellence should be congratulated, not criticized.

JOHN JACOB, Moreno Valley

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The Williams sisters go in the tank, is that right? Somehow they advanced to the final. What happened to the other top 16 players in the world? Did they tank to set up the Williams final?

Mr. Plaschke, if you have the evidence, give it to the FBI.

CHARLES WILLIS, Los Angeles

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Plaschke’s innuendoes about tennis’ most eccentric family were a sad commentary on the achievement of these remarkable young ladies and their parents. Richard Williams may well be a bit of a showoff and an unlikely role model for aspiring tennis parents, but he must be commended for the overall development of his daughters.

JACK RYAN, Carlsbad

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About the only comment I could add to Bill Plaschke’s well-written article is, if this pathetic travesty of a tournament final is any indication of future Williams-Williams finals, I hope they never play each other again.

DAVE DOLNICK, Thousand Oaks