It’s Hairy, Trying To Figure Out Venus Williams U.S. Prodigy Awaits First Match As Rain Persists At Wimbledon

Venus Williams and her beads upstaged the rain at Wimbledon.

As the inclement weather forced another postponement of all matches Friday, Williams, the 17-year-old American with the beaded hair and quick repartee, held a hastily called news conference.

With her opening-round match postponed for five days by showers, she was uncertain how she would do in her first test on grass. But that wasn’t the main line of questioning.

A half-dozen questions dealt with her braided hair, covered over in green and purple beads - Wimbledon’s colors - for this Grand Slam.

How long does it take to braid it?

Can it be shampooed?

Do you braid it yourself?

Will you wear red, white and blue beads for the U.S. Open?

“I don’t know,” she replied about her hair plans for the U.S. Open. “You guys are color-coordinating.”

Almost everyone is still trying to figure out Williams, who, at 6-foot-2, has cut a curious figure scurrying through the raindrops at Wimbledon alongside her 15-year-old sister Serena - also a tall, promising tennis prodigy with beads in her hair.

She does talk a good game. She was pressed Friday to clarify a blunt statement she reportedly made about French Open champion Iva Majoli, seeded No. 4 at Wimbledon.

She reportedly said she could have beaten her three years ago.

Williams said she didn’t recall if she was talking about Majoli or just top-10 players in general. Williams is ranked No. 59.

Williams, who mixes her answers with soft and hard edges, shook her head at a few questions and rolled her eyes. She scrunched her face once or twice and propped her head on her chin to contemplate one inquiry.

Was she bored? No. She said she liked the attention.

“Do I deserve the attention?” she repeated, paraphrasing a question. “Obviously, I think right now I’m playing some good tennis. I haven’t played too much in the last few years, and I think I’m something a little different.”

When fans at Wimbledon finally get to see her play, they might agree.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MORE RAIN FORECAST With more soggy weather predicted for the weekend, Wimbledon officials continue to ponder the prospect of opening the facility for play on the tournament’s middle Sunday, a drastic measure that has been resorted to just once - in 1991 - in the history of this 111-year-old tournament.