She’s going to turn out to be the oldest girl to play in the principle draw on the season-opening Grand Slam
Venus Williams stated she’s nonetheless pushed to play good tennis. Photograph: AFP
AUCKLAND:
Seven-time main singles champion Venus Williams stated Sunday she’s nonetheless pushed to play good tennis – and “it provides you nice legs” – as she prepares for an Australian Open tilt at age 45.
Williams will turn out to be the oldest girl to play in the principle draw on the season-opening Grand Slam after accepting a wildcard, 5 years after she final competed in Melbourne.
The American stated she was unaware of the file she was poised to interrupt, including she did not have the identical intense strategy to attaining milestones as in her prime.
Nonetheless, her drive to succeed on court docket remained.
“I feel one in every of my objectives is to be joyful and simply embrace being uncomfortable as a result of that is the issues champions can do,” she stated.
“I positively do not get up and are available midway internationally — or greater than midway — to not be feeling the fireplace.
“And, properly, tennis burns lots of energy. It provides you nice legs. I determine if I need to keep match, I’ve obtained to maintain enjoying.”
A five-time Wimbledon champion, Williams was an Australian Open singles finalist in 2003 and 2017 and received the doubles title 4 occasions alongside sister Serena.
Williams’ final match was the US Open in August, not lengthy after getting back from a 16-month break.
She’s going to play warmup occasions in Auckland subsequent week and Hobart forward of the January 18-February 1 Australian Open and hoped she will be able to shake rust out of her system.
“It is fascinating as a result of I’ve a lot expertise, however I’ve in all probability performed the least quantity as some other participant on this draw,” Williams instructed reporters in Auckland.
“So I’ve quite a bit to drag out however I even have to return out of the gates enjoying shortly.
“The excellent news is that, you understand, tennis matches are lengthy and you’ve got an opportunity to determine issues out.”
Her first opponent in Auckland on Monday will likely be Polish fifth seed and world No.54 Magda Linette.
