AUCKLAND (MNN); Seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams said Sunday she remains motivated to play quality tennis and joked that “it gives you great legs” as she prepares for the Australian Open at age 45.
Williams, who accepted a wildcard entry, will become the oldest woman to compete in the main draw of the season-opening Grand Slam, five years after her last appearance in Melbourne. The American admitted she was unaware of the record she is about to set and said she no longer has the same intensity for achieving milestones as she did in her prime.
“I think one of my goals is to be joyful and just embrace being uncomfortable because that’s what champions can do,” she said. “I definitely don’t wake up and come halfway across the world — or more than halfway — to not be feeling the fire. And, well, tennis burns a lot of calories. It gives you great legs. I figure if I want to stay fit, I’ve got to keep playing.”
A five-time Wimbledon champion, Williams was an Australian Open singles finalist in 2003 and 2017, and has won the doubles title four times with sister Serena. She last competed at the US Open in August, shortly after returning from a 16-month hiatus.
Williams will play warm-up events in Auckland next week and Hobart before the January 18–February 1 Australian Open, hoping to shake off rust. “It’s interesting because I have so much experience, but I’ve probably played the least amount as any other player in this draw,” she said. “So I have a lot to pull out, but I also have to come out of the gates playing quickly. The good news is that tennis matches are long, and you have a chance to figure things out.”
Her first opponent in Auckland on Monday will be Polish fifth seed and world No. 54 Magda Linette.
