mn73
May 24th, 2002, 08:00 AM
The American has recovered from a wrist sprain that forced her out of Rome.
Here is the full article:
Venus out to conquer Paris
Copyright © 2002 Nando Media
Copyright © 2002 Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse
PARIS (May 24, 2002 02:28 AM EDT) - Wimbledon and US Open champion Venus Williams may have been deprived of her third Grand Slam title in a row in Australia but the world number two believes she can redeem herself in her favorite city from next Monday.
The powerful American second seed has already won the Paris Indoor Open last February at the Coubertin Stadium, not far from Roland Garros, after Yugoslavia's Jelena Dokic pulled out with a leg injury before the final.
But it is the clay that she must tame if she is to finish better than two quarter-final finishes at the French Open in 1998 and 2000.
Williams had a strong start this season by gaining a title at Gold Coast without dropping a set, but her impressive 24-match win-streak was ended by compatriot Monica Seles at the Australian Open quarter-final.
The American has recovered from a wrist sprain that forced her out of Rome but hasn't played in competition since losing the final in Hamburg on May 5 to Belgian Kim Clijsters.
And the 21-year-old, who February became the first African-American world number one, knows that she must work hard if she is to win her fifth title this year.
"I know I have to hit the ball three or four times more than on hard court to finish a point. But that doesn't bother me," said Williams.
"I want this title," said Williams, who was dumped out of the first round last year by Austrian Barbara Schett.
"It's like in Australia where I've never managed to play a final. But that doesn't really worry me because I know that one day I know I'll have my chance and I hope it will be this year."
And Williams finds it hard to explain her failure at Roland Garros, having already won on clay last year at Hamburg.
"I don't really know why," said Williams. "I like playing on clay and feel comfortable. Before arriving on the pro-circuit I practiced on this surface as did Serena. I like clay as much as hard court."
Winning in Paris would be special for Williams who is learning French and often visits the city outside the tennis circuit.
"I love France, I love Paris. I manage to speak a little French. It's great," she enthuses.
"At the Paris Indoor Open I tried, but I was too shy," she said of her ability to give a speech in French.
"But this time if I win the trophy, and I want this title this year, I promise that I'll speak French," she added.
Here is the full article:
Venus out to conquer Paris
Copyright © 2002 Nando Media
Copyright © 2002 Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse
PARIS (May 24, 2002 02:28 AM EDT) - Wimbledon and US Open champion Venus Williams may have been deprived of her third Grand Slam title in a row in Australia but the world number two believes she can redeem herself in her favorite city from next Monday.
The powerful American second seed has already won the Paris Indoor Open last February at the Coubertin Stadium, not far from Roland Garros, after Yugoslavia's Jelena Dokic pulled out with a leg injury before the final.
But it is the clay that she must tame if she is to finish better than two quarter-final finishes at the French Open in 1998 and 2000.
Williams had a strong start this season by gaining a title at Gold Coast without dropping a set, but her impressive 24-match win-streak was ended by compatriot Monica Seles at the Australian Open quarter-final.
The American has recovered from a wrist sprain that forced her out of Rome but hasn't played in competition since losing the final in Hamburg on May 5 to Belgian Kim Clijsters.
And the 21-year-old, who February became the first African-American world number one, knows that she must work hard if she is to win her fifth title this year.
"I know I have to hit the ball three or four times more than on hard court to finish a point. But that doesn't bother me," said Williams.
"I want this title," said Williams, who was dumped out of the first round last year by Austrian Barbara Schett.
"It's like in Australia where I've never managed to play a final. But that doesn't really worry me because I know that one day I know I'll have my chance and I hope it will be this year."
And Williams finds it hard to explain her failure at Roland Garros, having already won on clay last year at Hamburg.
"I don't really know why," said Williams. "I like playing on clay and feel comfortable. Before arriving on the pro-circuit I practiced on this surface as did Serena. I like clay as much as hard court."
Winning in Paris would be special for Williams who is learning French and often visits the city outside the tennis circuit.
"I love France, I love Paris. I manage to speak a little French. It's great," she enthuses.
"At the Paris Indoor Open I tried, but I was too shy," she said of her ability to give a speech in French.
"But this time if I win the trophy, and I want this title this year, I promise that I'll speak French," she added.