Of all the criticisms cast in the direction of Americans, one that holds the most truth is the accusation that we're a disinterested lot when one of our own is not taking center stage. Heavyweight boxing championships dominated by Eastern Europeans? The division must be devoid of any true talent. Soccer? It's a boring game for pansies who clearly have no athleticism other than that which translates to hacky-sack and kick ball. Hockey? Who cares? Hopefully my sarcasm is as recognizable as an Irish brogue.

The lack of American talent has apparently infiltrated the sport of tennis. Where have you gone John McEnroe? Jimmy Connors anyone? For the younger at heart, how about Mr. "Image is Everything" Andre Agassi or arguably the greatest player ever in Pete Sampras? Hell, I'd settle for a little Michael Chang right at the moment.

No, just like soccer, when it comes to anything of "international" importance it's the American women we have to train our eyes to right about now. Not that's there's anything wrong with that. The beautiful Heather Mitts anyone?

Thankfully we still have Venus Williams. In case you missed it she will be playing in the finals today at "Wimbledum" (looking for her 4th title on the grass in England). Wimbledon is only the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. Yes, we Americans have the U.S. Open, but that only qualifies as a very distant second (at best) in the grand scheme of things. Truth be told, that red clay in the French Open is a far more challenging and interesting surface than those "hard" core(t) matches that transpire in Queens, NY. Admitting to being bested by France in anything is a hard pill to swallow. Even if it is just tennis.

It seems like just yesterday that Venus Williams burst upon the tennis scene. An outstanding African-American tennis player, and a female to boot, from Compton, California of all places...was simply unheard of. What wasn't there to like and cheer for?

But wait...along with her came a father/coach that the average American tennis fan just wasn't quite ready for. Her father, Richard Williams, all too well personified the skeptical, domineering, paranoid, angry black man stereotype that far too many have come to dislike. Forget about what neck of the woods she came from or how talented she was...she'd be judged by the over-protective and over-bearing actions of "Dear Old Dad".

To make matters worse she had a tennis playing younger sister. Serena was more friendly, more engaging, more lighthearted, more attractive and perhaps most importantly...more talented. Unlike Dominic Dimaggio and his rightfully more famous older brother Joe...or Joe Niekro and his superior knuckleballing elder sibling Phil...or even Phil Simms and his less able son Chris...or speaking of quarterbacks, Eli Manning and the overly scrutinized Peyton...Serena would easily go on to surpass big sister Venus in accomplishments. That's just not how things typically transpire. Usually the younger is forever cursed to live in the shadow of the relative that came before. Not in this case.

Well now it seems as though things have come full circle. Venus Williams is back in the limelight again. Entering Wimbledon she was ranked somewhere lower than a Boca Burger at a pork sausage convention. She was actually listed at 31st in the world to be exact. To put things in their proper perspective, Venus is the lowest seeded player ever to qualify for the finals in the most hallowed event of the tennis world. Coincidentally she held the previous mark when she was ranked 16th just two years ago in 2005. It must be that she truly loves the fish and chips.

All that stands between Venus and a 4th career Wimbledon title is surprising French finalist Marion Bartoli (ranked 20th). The upstart Bartoli toppled the #1 women's player in the world, Justine Henin in 3 sets. After Venus convincingly dispatched the talented and lovely Maria Sharapova in straight sets (6-1, 6-3) in the quarterfinals, and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia (6-2, 6-4) in the semifinals, one might think that the path is clear for her. How ironic and frustrating it is that a player from France stands in the way of American glory on the international scene. Must the people from the land of "Gay Paris always be a thorn in our side?

Whether you are a tennis fan or not...whether you like Serena better than Venus...whether you're still waiting for Anna Kournikova to stop sucking face with Enrique Iglesias...whether you just don't give a flying you know what... You do love your country don't you? Venus Williams has a chance to win Wimbledon, not just for herself, but also for our country.  We owe it to her to give a crap.

After lackluster performances by America in the World Baseball Classic, International Basketball Competitions, World Cup Soccer, Olympic Hockey, tic-tac-toe meets, hang man tournaments, World Series of Monopoly and what have you...let's all rally behind her.

She's our Venus...she's our fire...our desire...and the closest thing we have to a goddess on the mountaintop. Or a god for that matter. Just ask that slacker Andy Roddick who was eliminated again in an epic battle after being up 2 sets. Coming close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Git er done for once Roddick!

That 1980s girl group "Bananarama" was from England just like Wimbledon. It's not a coincidence. Go Venus!

(And if you don't know that song by Bananarama then that just tells you I'm getting old.)