By Blair Henley | Wednesday, March 11, 2015
With a 21-year career and seven Grand Slams under her always-fashionable belt, Venus Williams is a living legend on the WTA Tour, respected not only for her tenacity on the court, but for the impact she has had on the game. At 34-years-old, she is braving a grueling travel circuit and the autoimmune disease Sjogren’s syndrome to continue playing the game she loves.
More: Venus On Style, Inspiration; Shares Sneak Peek of Her Miami Open Dress
We caught up with Williams in Houston, Texas, at an appearance for her tennis and activewear line, EleVen, where it was clear her sense of humor is as sharp as her groundstroke game.
Who is your tennis idol?
Serena Williams
If you could steal a shot from any other player on tour, what would it be?
A drop shot from [Agnieszka] Radwanska.
What is your least favorite conditioning exercise?
Probably side to side or shuttle runs. Those are always painful.
If you could have dinner with three tennis players, past or present, who would they be?
Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King.
Favorite cheat food?
What isn’t my go to cheat food? That should be my answer. Final answer (laughs).
Pet peeve?
Repetition. I’m an extremely patient and calm person, but if you repeat things, that’s when I blow. That’s my secret weakness; that’s my Achilles heel.
We’ll keep that in mind.
Yes, don’t ask me that question again (laughs)!
Who would win in a karaoke contest, you or Serena?
I have to say, I think I got her beat, but I think her performance outshines mine. I need to loosen up a little bit the shoulders and the hips.
Greatest fear?
Becoming a statistic. I never want to fall into a cliché. If I make a mistake, I want it to be something unique.
Three things that you would bring if you were stuck on a deserted island?
I would have to say, family, friends and my dog.
So this would pretty much be an island party?
Coconuts for everybody!
If you were a hip-hop artist, what would your name be?
Queen V!
What is your idea of happiness?
When you’re living the life that you should and you feel is right. I think that’s when everybody is the most comfortable.
What is your idea of misery?
When you have to do things you don’t want to do, and I don’t mean like running on the treadmill or eating right. More like being places you don’t want to be; doing things you don’t want to do; being in positions that make you uncomfortable.
Biggest perk of fame?
I think the biggest perk is being able to inspire people that you never knew you would have or could have and that your life could impact others in that kind of way.
Average number of hours you sleep on an international flight?
On average, if the flight is nine hours, I sleep 10. I sleep the whole time because then you wake up and you’re there!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’ll be at the next Olympics. I don’t know!
There are a lot of people who would want that.
That’s a lot of pressure! But definitely just growing my brand EleVen and doing a lot of work for people and charity, and hopefully getting some time to sit on my own couch and not be on a plane or on the road. That would be a super perk.
Photo credit: corleve/Mark Peterson