- Title: USA: TENNIS - VENUS WILLIAMS HOPES TO WIN HER THIRD U.S. OPEN
- Date: 27th August 2005
- Summary: NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 26, 2005) (REUTERS) - QUALITY AS INCOMING - 1. VENUS WILLIAMS ON COURT AT PERSHING SQUARE, NEW YORK CITY 2. SPECTATORS 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English): VENUS WILLIAMS, PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER, SAYING: "My preparation hasn't been ideal for the US Open but I feel like I'm bringing a lot of experience out on the court, I've been in a lot of tough situations so I'd like to think that I'll come through anything that happens at the Open with flying colors." 4. VENUS WILLIAMS RECEIVING SERVES ON COURT 5. SPECTATORS 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English): VENUS WILLIAMS, PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER, SAYING: "It's fantastic, it's fantastic. It was my second Grand Slam and I'd like to add three, make it three, I've won two and it's always a great feeling when you win here in New York." 7. VARIOUS OF VENUS WILLIAMS RECEIVING SERVES ON COURT 8. SPECTATORS 9. (SOUNDBITE) (English): VENUS WILLIAMS, PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER, SAYING: "I just think that I have to get out there and do it for me. Tennis is important to me and I want to be my best while I'm playing tennis and after that move and I've got quite a few years left so I think I've got a lot of damage yet to do." 10. VARIOUS OF VENUS WILLIAMS RECEIVING SERVES ON COURT 11. SPECTATORS 1.36 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 11th September 2005 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVADF1WV8VQRWNYWOY9I2QHF4COH
- Story Text: Venus Williams hopes to win her 3rd U.S. Open title.
Wimbledon tennis champion Venus Williams hopes that her
experience on the court can seal her third U.S. Open title. The five-time
Grand Slam champion won the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2001.
Venus has not played much tennis since the warm-up U.S. Open Series
tournament in Stanford, California in July. She reached the final before
fatigue caught up with her. She also pulled out of tournaments in Stockholm
and Toronto in recent weeks because of influenza.
The bubbly 25-year old rediscovered her match-winning form with a
record-breaking win at Wimbledon in early July. It was her first Grand Slam
title victory in four years. The match was the longest ladies Singles Finals
in Wimbledon history. The previous record was the battle between Billie Jean
King and Margaret Court in 1970.
"My preparation hasn't been ideal for the US Open but I feel like
I'm bringing a lot of experience out on the court, I've been in a lot of tough
situations so I'd like to think that I'll come through anything that happens
at the Open with flying colors," Williams said Friday (August 26).
There was disappointment from Williams sisters fans after the U.S.
Open draw was announced on Wednesday (August 24). No matter who wins the
Ladies Singles title this year it will not be a Venus and Serena final. They
are in the same section of the draw, meaning that if they win all their
matches, they will face each other in the fourth round.
For the past two years American women have been conspicuous by their
absence on finals weekend at the U.S. Open.
Having provided all five champions between 1998 and 2002, the host
nation has been sidelined first by Belgian pair Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim
Clijsters, then by the Russian wave, with Svetlana Kuznetsova beating Elena
Dementieva in the 2004 final.
Venus loves New York and the vibrant atmosphere at the championships at
Flushing Meadows. She said, "It's fantastic, it's fantastic. It was my
second Grand Slam and I'd like to add three, make it three, I've won two and
it's always a great feeling when you win here in New York."
Her sister, Serena could also be a threat though the injuries which
have blighted her season appear much more difficult to overcome. After winning
her seventh grand slam title in Melbourne, she sprained her ankle in April and
then hurt her left knee, an injury which saw her pull out of last week's
Toronto event.
"I just think that I have to get out there and do it for me.
Tennis is important to me and I want to be my best while I'm playing tennis
and after that move and I've got quite a few years left so I think I've got a
lot of damage yet to do," added Venus.
New York fans got a chance to ace Venus on Friday at a charity event.
American Express donated $1,000 to every challenger who could ace the tennis
star. The credit card company will also donate $100 for aces served during
match play at the US Open in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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