Will Williamses Double-Fault Careers Away?

The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, have been the most popular players in tennis--women’s or men’s--for the last two years, says Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post, with a word of warning for them:

“If they aren’t careful, if they don’t start to realize how precarious stardom can be, they can throw it all away before they reach their mid-20s. Venus, Serena and their father, Richard, had better come to understand they can thumb their noses at the media, at tournament directors, tour executives and even at their opponents, but not at the ticket-buying public.

“The booing of the Williams family [at last week’s tournament at Indian Wells] was a warning from fans. Venus and Serena are still the most popular female tennis players in this country since Chris Evert. Advertisers know this and sign the Williamses to rich endorsements, but that’s not a divine right. It isn’t too late for redemption--or too early for ruination.”

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Trivia time: What was the last game Bob Knight coached at Indiana?

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Bopping the Boz: The Fly, the Sporting News’ cryptic columnist, wasn’t impressed with Brian Bosworth’s stint as an XFL commentator.

“The only thing worse than watching the XFL is watching reruns of ‘Lawless,’ a private-eye show the Boz was on on Fox.”

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Sound-alikes: Soccer star Dominic Matteo and race driver Dario Franchitti have something in common--both are Scottish, despite their Italian-sounding names.

Matteo, who will play for Scotland against Belgium in Saturday’s World Cup qualifying game, doesn’t understand what all the fuss over his nationality is about.

“I was born in Scotland, and my father is Scottish. I don’t know what else I have to do to prove I’m Scottish.”

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It’s not easy: After Gonzaga scored on 17 consecutive possessions against Indiana State, Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal noted, “The Chicago Bulls can’t do that in practice.”

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More Gonzaga: In the Orlando Sentinel, David Whitley writes, “Please God, let Gonzaga win the NCAA tournament just to see if George W. Bush pronounces it ‘Godzilla.’ ”

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Today’s riddle: Tom FitzGerald, in the San Francisco Chronicle, asks, “Who are Albie Lopez, Ryan Pupe, Paul Wilson, Travis Harper and Bryan Reker?

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His answer: “My guess was Wu-Tang Clan’s rhythm section, but it’s the pitching rotation of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.”

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Trivia answer: The first round of last year’s NCAA tournament. Knight’s Hoosiers were thrashed by Pepperdine, 77-57.

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And finally: Left-handed pitcher David Wells of the Chicago White Sox has tattoos of both of his children on his right arm.

“He doesn’t have to bore anyone with snapshots,” says Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune. “He can just roll up his sleeve.”