Venus Williams Wants to Climb Mount McKinnie

Venus Williams has tackled some pretty large challenges in her day. Racism, sexism and bad fashion sense to name a few.

But none compare to the 6'8, 350-pound mountain of a man known as Bryant McKinnie. Actually, in this case, it is McKinnie who might be shaking in his boots.

The two South Florida athletes are expected to go mano y hermano on the tennis court in a Battle of the Sexes that will probably be pretty one-sided. It's Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs, kind of.

And Williams says she has been practicing for the challenge, too - left-handed.

"It's called the Williams Invitational," Venus said. "I'm playing left-handed so it evens the field. My forehand is pretty mean. My serve is nonexistent, and my backhand is horrible."

Williams plans on taking on at least one of her sisters, her mom and McKinnie in a round robin tourney for...absolutely nothing.

You know, Venus, there is this tournament called the Sony Ericsson Open that starts this week. Maybe you want to try focusing on that. Or not.
Williams' first match on Key Biscayne is on Thursday. She's won the tournament three times and one of her biggest rivals, her sister Serena, has already pulled out of the tourney.

Around this time last year, Venus played Andy Roddick on top of some SUVs on Ocean Drive.

McKinnie, who was a standout at the University of Miami before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, is a freakish athlete for his size and a serviceable tennis player. The two have been dating for about a year now.

While it would be a shock if he could score a point on Venus, the left-handed slap to his manhood might be enough to get McKinnie to sneak a ball or two past the tennis star.

No time or date has been set for the match, but we are hoping McKinnie doesn't go missing like he did when the Pro Bowl came down here this year.

Running from a girl is not allowable no matter the sport.

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie's proCane Rookie Card.



(nbcmiami.com)