Serena: Still Chunky-Style for Cincy Return?

"I have decided to return to competitive tennis at Cincinnati's Western and Southern Financial Group Women's Open, the week of July 17," said Williams in a statement. "Lately I have been working very hard on making my knee stronger, and that work is progressing well. Barring any setbacks, it is my hope that I will be able to rejoin the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour at Cincinnati."

No word on how Serena, or whoever wrote her statement, was so accurate in getting the full sponsor names of both the Cincinnati tournament and the WTA Tour in her announcement.

"Williams will have stiff competition in her return," continues the release, apparently failing to notice that at press time there are no Top 10 entries in the Cincy field, and only three within the Top 20-ranked women.

"The field for this event has gotten consistently stronger since the women returned (to Cincinnati) in 2004, and we're very excited about this field," said Tournament Director Bruce Flory. "It looks like it could be the best year yet."

While excited at the prospect, the veteran Flory knows that the chances of a Williams sister pulling from your event is about the same as rain at Wimbledon.

"We're tempering that excitement with the knowledge that sometimes an injury can linger," Flory said. "Of course we hope that doesn't happen, and we'll keep in touch with her agent about her health as the tournament gets closer. We are thrilled about the possibility of her playing here for our fans."