Keep fifth major at one place: Davenport

The WTA Championships may be the richest tournament in women's tennis but Lindsay Davenport said on Tuesday that no one knew what the event was or who was playing in the $3 million season-ending extravaganza.

"It's our fifth major and the people don't understand that," said Davenport, who will meet fellow American Monica Seles in a first-round clash on Wednesday. "When you keep moving it around it's hard for people to know what it is.

"I've heard a lot of people say, 'I'm going to the Staples Center', but they're not quite sure what it is or who's playing.

"That's when you've got to try and establish a foundation and keep it in one place for a couple of years.

"I think they (the tennis officials) really don't have a five-year plan, they don't really know what's going to happen and we have to figure it out as soon as possible."

The Williams sisters, world number one Serena and number two Venus, headline the elite 16-strong field but did little to help promote the event Tuesday.

The tennis siblings were more interested in answering questions about hamburgers and television than beating the drum for the troubled tournament, which flopped miserably in Munich last year and has so far received scant attention in Los Angeles.

Serena and Venus huddled with the media but had few thoughts on the competition, the talk focusing on their increasing number of interests and obligations away from the court.

But then the sisters would have little news to report on the tennis front, having seen limited action since clashing in the final of the U.S. Open in early September.

Citing fatigue, Serena has not played since early October, withdrawing from events in Filderstadt, Zurich and Linz after claiming her season-leading eighth title in Leipzig.

But the world number one has hardly been at home in Florida recharging her batteries.

Having rocketed up the tennis rankings and the celebrity ladder, the muscular Williams now suddenly finds herself a certified member of Hollywood's A-list and bitten by the acting bug.

STARRING ROLE

The younger Williams recently made a guest appearance as a kindergarten teacher on the television show "My Wife and Kids" and was more keen to discuss her performance on the sitcom rather than her starring role on centre court this week.

Instead of analysing her first-round opponent Anna Smashnova of Israel, Serena continually steered questions towards her latest acting endeavour, a McDonald's commercial that will be part of a lucrative sponsorship contract with the fast food chain.

According to media reports, the three-year deal is the most lucrative in the Williams's ever-expanding sponsorship portfolio.

"We've both been playing a lot of tennis but right now we're going to talk about McDonald's," said Serena, adding she had yet to practise indoors for the event that will be played on carpet at the Staples Center.

"I wouldn't have a coach if I didn't want to pursue an acting career.

"It was a good experience with McDonald's because I got to say a few lines and work with a real director like a movie or sitcom shoot."

The winner of 36 of her last 37 matches, including consecutive grand slam triumphs at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, Serena repeatedly brushed aside questions about her preparations for the tournament, which could help her become the first woman to win $4 million in a single season.

Venus, who has always been distracted by interests outside the sport, has also not played in five weeks and will have to regain her focus quickly for a potentially tricky first-round meeting on Wednesday with Switzerland's Patty Schnyder.

But like her younger sister, Venus appeared unconcerned as she prepared to defend the title she won last year in Munich.

"I have a lot of things I've been doing," said Venus, runner-up to her sister in all three grand slam finals this year. "I've been trying to practise.

"It's just harder for me in the fall because I become a little tired. It's just getting out there and working hard.

"There are all kinds of opportunities besides practise. I'm doing a lot of new things but I don't want to talk about them yet.

"I always have lots of things that interest me off the court."