Venus gunning for 2020 Olympics
American Venus Williams has dismissed any notion of announcing her retirement anytime soon, saying she is eager to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The 37-year-old had a successful year in the absence of her sister Serena through pregnancy, climbing to No. 5 in the singles rankings after finishing runner-up at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the WTA Finals.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner has competed in five previous Olympic Games, starting in 2000, and has won three golds in the women's doubles event with Serena and one gold in the singles competition.
"I have no plans of stopping soon," she told American magazine Entrepreneur. "It seems somehow that 2020 Tokyo is on the horizon. Isn't that wild? I'm trying to stick around for that."
The Williams sisters along with men's veterans Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal have re-established their dominance at the top of the sport with Serena winning her 23rd Grand Slam title aged 35 at the 2017 Australian Open.
Spaniard Nadal, 31, reclaimed the men's No. 1 spot with six trophies this year, while 36-year-old Federer finished second after winning seven titles. The pair split the season's four Grand Slams between them.
Serena is expected to make a long-awaited return following the birth of her daughter in September. - REUTERS
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now