Williams is Preparing to Return to WTA Tour

Written by: Staff on 13th December 2011

Williams is Preparing to Return to WTA Tour |

Venus Williams has maintained a hectic globe trotting schedule, playing a series of exhibition matches in such far flung destinations as Medellin (Colombia), Milan and most recently Barbados. But the former world no.1 maintains she has exceeded all expectation and is now looking forward to returning to the WTA scene early in the New Year.

Williams, who currently stands at 104th on the WTA rankings and will celebrate her 32nd birthday just before next year’s Wimbledon championships, lost out to current world no.3 Victoria Azarenka in the exhibition in Barbados but said: “I’m very confident in my progress.”

The winner of seven Grand Slam singles titles and $27.75 million in prize money has not played an official tour match since she announced at the U.S. Open that she is afflicted with the auto immune disease, Sjorgen’s Syndrome.

But she was pleased with her showing at the Tennis Pon de Rock exhibition, staged at the Barbados’ Sugar Hill Tennis Resort, even though she lost 6-4, 6-3 to Azarenka. “I was surprised with how I played because I expected to be a lot worse, but it was great to be out there,” Williams told the Barbados Advocate. “My performance gives me I hope I can play the Australian Open next year. I’m really hoping to keep my fitness heading into 2012, but I’m not going to raise my expectations for any major results.”

Barbados Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, and fellow tennis aficionado British musical veteran, Sir Cliff Richard, watched the action that also included a mixed doubles match involving John Isner and Gael Monfils.

Venus, who only played four tour events this year and will finish 2011 outside the world’s top 100 for the first time since 1997, insisted: “I feel good. My aim for 2012 is to get back in to the top of the rankings and of course London 2012 Olympic Games)will be the highlight for me.

“This year was an interesting year, to say the least. I just want to stay healthy and perform to the best of my ability. But I’m happy. I still get to do what I love, day in and day out.”

Topics: Venus Williams