Born: 17/6/80 Nationality: American Seeded: 4 World ranking: 5 US Open best: Winner (2000 & 2001) Recent record: 2002: Runner-up 2001: Winner 2000: Winner

The twice former champion's season has been blighted by injury.

Despite this, Venus reached the final of Wimbledon in impressive style before a stomach problem restricted her movement and prevented her mounting a challenge to sister Serena.

She has not played since and doubts remain as to whether Venus, who has started her own interior design company in her spare time, is as completely focused on the game as her sister appears to be.

However, with Serena sidelined, she will never have a better chance to get back on the winning trail - having lost five Grand Slam finals to her younger sibling.

Her 2003 season began with the disappointment of a three-set loss to Serena at the Australian Open - though she followed that with a title in Antwerp.

Injury prevented her from playing any warm-up tournaments ahead of the French Open and her lack of preparation showed in a fourth-round defeat to Vera Zvonareva at Roland Garros.