Williams Sisters Are Planning to Defend Their Olympic Doubles Title

Written by: Staff on 3rd December 2011

Williams sisters vs Schiavone and Pennetta

Williams Sisters Are Planning to Defend Their Olympic Doubles Title

(L-R): Italian tennis player Flavia Pennetta, Americans Serena and Venus Williams, and Italian player Francesca Schiavone pose at the end of the press conference in Milan, Italy, 02 December 2011. The tennis match Williams sisters Vs Schiavone - Pennetta is scheduled for 03 December 2011. EPA/MATTEO BAZZI |

After several seasons in the injury and lack-of-interest wilderness, the Williams sisters seem to be ready to kick-start 2012, with their latest goal of the moment a defence of their Olympic doubles title from Beijing at next summer’s London Games.

The pair who last appeared officially on court during the US Open – Serena lost an ill-tempered final to Samantha Stosur – played at the weekend in Milan at an exhibition against Italians Francesca Schiavone, the 2010 French Open winner, and Flavia Pennetta. The Americans also faced each other in a quick-money exho in Colombia last week.

The over-30 Williams pair have big hopes for 2012 in London. “We’re defending champions (from Beijing) and we want to defend our title,” said Serena. “We both want to play. So this is a great, great time for us, so exciting.”

The pair have kept a low profile since New York, when Venus was diagnosed with an immune system disease, which she now says she is controlling with diet. Serena came back in 2011 after almost a year out with injury and illness including the 2010 cut foot which required surgery.

Venus, now mainly a vegetarian, said she is aiming for an Australian Open start next month. “I’m taking each day at a time. When I feel good, I feel really happy.”