Venus Williams promises to return to Nigeria some day after her exhibition match with her younger sister in Lagos tomorrow. She spoke at a media conference yesterday. JOHHNY EDWARD was there.
How do you feel being in Nigeria to support the recently launched ‘‘Breaking TheMould’’ campaign- a women’s empowerment initiative?
It’s so exciting and it’s amazing to see how people love us here in Nigeria. I’m looking forward to meeting people here and be part of the launching of the Breaking the Mould campaign in Nigeria. Women have so much to contribute to the development of the society and this initiative is as important as playing tennis. I’m glad to be playing here in Nigeria. Playing against my sister here is going to be a final between us. I’ve heard a lot about Nigeria and her people and this won’t be our last trip. People are showing great love to us and we are happy to be here as well.
Could you share your experience with us when your sister Serena won her first grand slam?
It was an amazing feeling when she won because emotionally, I get stronger whenever she wins games and I also learn from it when she loses sometimes in case I have to face the same opponent she lost to one day. In all, she is a great tennis player and I’m always proud of her.
And when she loses?
I take it in good faith.
You have won seven singles titles, thirteen in women’s doubles and two in mixed doubles. Also, your seven Grand Slam singles titles place you with four other women in the twelfth place on the all-time list. What motivates you each time you’re on the court?
Well, I love what I do and I always give my best each time I go to the court. It’s amazing to have won those titles and the hunger to win more still burns in me. Our goal is to be at the next Olympics in Rio and perform well there. That’s why we want to stay healthy to defend our title.
How was it like growing up with your dad as a coach?
(Laughs) He did the right thing because the results are there to be seen but of course, he was tough and I had some great moments growing up and learning the game under him.
The Williams sisters have established schools in Kenya, is there any plan to doing the same here in Nigeria and how is the school faring?
The school is going on well there. It’s basically about giving kids good education but we intend to expand it with time. Setting up a school in Nigeria is going to be a good idea as well.
How do you feel being in Nigeria to support the recently launched ‘‘Breaking TheMould’’ campaign- a women’s empowerment initiative?
It’s so exciting and it’s amazing to see how people love us here in Nigeria. I’m looking forward to meeting people here and be part of the launching of the Breaking the Mould campaign in Nigeria. Women have so much to contribute to the development of the society and this initiative is as important as playing tennis. I’m glad to be playing here in Nigeria. Playing against my sister here is going to be a final between us. I’ve heard a lot about Nigeria and her people and this won’t be our last trip. People are showing great love to us and we are happy to be here as well.
Could you share your experience with us when your sister Serena won her first grand slam?
It was an amazing feeling when she won because emotionally, I get stronger whenever she wins games and I also learn from it when she loses sometimes in case I have to face the same opponent she lost to one day. In all, she is a great tennis player and I’m always proud of her.
And when she loses?
I take it in good faith.
You have won seven singles titles, thirteen in women’s doubles and two in mixed doubles. Also, your seven Grand Slam singles titles place you with four other women in the twelfth place on the all-time list. What motivates you each time you’re on the court?
Well, I love what I do and I always give my best each time I go to the court. It’s amazing to have won those titles and the hunger to win more still burns in me. Our goal is to be at the next Olympics in Rio and perform well there. That’s why we want to stay healthy to defend our title.
How was it like growing up with your dad as a coach?
(Laughs) He did the right thing because the results are there to be seen but of course, he was tough and I had some great moments growing up and learning the game under him.
The Williams sisters have established schools in Kenya, is there any plan to doing the same here in Nigeria and how is the school faring?
The school is going on well there. It’s basically about giving kids good education but we intend to expand it with time. Setting up a school in Nigeria is going to be a good idea as well.
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