Dubai: A media session with Venus Williams can sometimes give the impression that after being in the Tour more than a decade and 20 Grand Slam titles (seven of them singles) in the bag, she is just going through the motions. Almost disinterested at times, it would seem like the elder of the Williams sisters was keen to get over with it all.
Yes, because she could not wait to get into the thick of action after all. After beginning the 2009 season with the singles title in Dubai, the former world No 1 has not won anything in between and she announces in no uncertain terms that she wants an encore here.
"No, I have never felt any pressure while defending a title. I have just flown in here and cannot wait for my matches to begin," said Venus, who has a first round bye and will be taking on Germany's Sabrine Lisicki tomorrow.
Asked if the late withdrawals of Serena Williams and Dinara Safina will make things any easier for her, Venus disagreed. "The field is as strong as last year, even though some of the players are missing."
It what could be certainly termed as the second phase of her career, she had been subjecting herself to some demanding schedule — having played as many as 16 tournaments last year.
However, Venus dismisses suggestions that it means any extra efforts on her part to stay fit. "I have been fortunately very healthy. The hunger is still there and there is no lack of motivation to keep on improving."
Final word
Is it humility or just a politically correct answer? "The day I feel I am not improving, I will quit," she lets go a clinical finish to end the argument.
However, given the fact that both the sisters dabble into so many things beyond tennis like fashion, charity and all the works, how does she strike a balance between the two? "I am experienced enough, I have been doing this for a while and know how much I can handle," she says.
Asked that after all these years and the emergence of practically two more generation of players after them, what is the secret behind the enduring magic of the ‘Sister Act,' be it in a singles final or a doubles match? "I think we really enjoy what we do, that's it," she signed off.
