Williams About to Set an American Olympic Record

Written by: Staff on 24th July 2012

Williams About to Set an American Olympic Record

epa03280930 Venus Williams of the US takes on Elena Vesnina of Russia during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 25 June 2012. EPA/JONATHAN BRADY |

Venus Williams is about to become the first tennis player from the United States to feature in four Olympic Games but despite being 32 years old and coping with the problems of competing with the effects of the auto-immune disease Sjogrens Syndrome, the three times gold medalist is already making plans for a fifth Olympiad four years from now in Rio de Janeiro.

After being bestowed with the honor, alongside Britain’s Andy Murray, of actually carrying the Olympic torch around Wimbledon’s All England Club where the tennis competition begins on Saturday, Venus insisted she and sister Serena were both thinking long term.

“I’m aiming for 2016, said the singles gold medalist at Sydney in 2000, and doubles winner with her sister in 2000 and 2008 in Beijing. Serena and I both want to play there. I have played a lot of Olympics and to keep adding to them is amazing.”

And the indomitable spirit that has seen Venus cope with her medical condition, diagnosed almost a year ago at the US Open, means it would be wrong of anybody to discount her ambition.

“This is the most important Olympics I have ever played,” she said. “It was definitely a fight to get here. Now I am an Olympian, I am very excited. As soon as I touched down here in London, I just felt all the feelings of being an Olympian.

“When I had the invite to carry the torch, I just couldn’t believe it. It was so exciting and I was just elated the whole time.”

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus lost in the Championships first round last month, her worst defeat in the event since making her debut in 1997. However the Williams sisters progressed to win their fifth doubles title.

“I had a great Wimbledon,” said Venus. “I was very happy with the results and getting the doubles title. You can’t win every one in singles.

“Thankfully I have been able to be a champion here, so I am grateful for that and if I could triumph in the Olympics, that would be even more amazing.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: All England Club 2012, British tennis news, London Olympic Games, London Olympics, Sports, Tennis News, United States tennis news, Venus Williams