Stars could still align for Venus and Serena
Improvement is the key for Venus. She appears motivated to keep playing and looking for ways to push her game ahead. She's eager, and she played a full schedule last year after coming back in February, though she missed the year-end championships in Madrid due to dizziness. “I definitely think I'm still improving,” said Venus. “That's my goal: to be better every tournament. If I don't have that goal one day, then that's a problem.” That's the mindset she needs because frankly her chances to win here are dwindling. She's made the final at this major only once -- in 2003 losing to Serena.

Tennis has some sparking examples of players with longevity and success. Andre Agassi played near the top until 36 and Martina Navratilova competed in doubles at age 50! At about 30, though, reflexes slow and many players start to think about wrapping up their careers and starting families. Next year when Venus returns here she'll be 28. Ivanovic will just be that much better, along with rising players like Agnieszka Radwanska and Victoria Azarenka, just to name two. And there's probably some kid out there we've never heard of ready to make a splash on tour.

Despite the sour taste from how things ended here, Venus should have an excellent year. Serena is capable of the same. While that doesn't mean they'll show their dominance of old, they still can show plenty of excellence in their play. I would hope that both sisters would strive towards winning a few more Grand Slam events before the end of their careers. After all it's the major titles that players are remembered for, not the tournament wins in San Diego or Dubai or Zurich. When former players are introduced to crowds for the rest of their lives, the only thing anybody cares about is how many Wimbledons, U.S. Opens, French Opens and Australian Opens they won.

Health a key to what lies ahead for sisters 
For Venus a fifth title at Wimbledon wouldn't shock me and that remains her best chance to increase her haul of majors. She likes grass and most other players don't. But you have to take the sisters' temperature when the majors come around. They are unpredictable. If they can keep from sustaining any serious injuries, there's no reason they can't play another four or five years on the tour.

If the doubting Thomases grow loud, look out. That's when the sisters are at their deadliest. After losing to Ivanovic, Venus was asked if the Williams Era was finally winding down. She replied, “There's been a lot of talk every single year. I think what's important to me is what goes on in my head. I've been a champion. I have full expectations and aspirations to continue to play high quality tennis and to continue to be a champion.

"And I think Serena and I, we don't have anything to prove. We get out there and we play our best. I think the way we're playing still maintains what other women are doing in tennis. So I think we still set a very high standard.”

For the sake of women's tennis, let's hope that Venus and Serena can find it in themselves to keep pushing the bar.

MORE FROM TENNIS

Tennis Section Front

Wimbledon championship battle underway   LIVE: Watch NBC Sports' coverage of Wimbledon men's final Venus tops Serena to win fifth Wimbledon title Austin: Venus, Serena can become all-time greats Serena says she's looking ahead to rematch Williams sisters win Wimbledon doubles title   Venus: I tried to not think too much   Video: Serena says Venus is 'awesome'   More Williams Wimbledon finals in store? Williams sibling rivalry: Venus vs. Serena   Tennis Section Front   Add Tennis headlines to your news reader: