Seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams has pledged her full support behind this summer’s Olympic Games after saying nothing in sport compares to the event.
The comments come as Williams prepares for her fifth Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The former world No.1 has already won four gold medals in her career (three in doubles and one in singles). Looking ahead to the event, Williams has said the Olympic Games is more special than any grand slam tournament.
“It’s just a dream come true. It’s a wonderful experience to be part of something so amazing.” She said about participating in the sporting extravaganza.
“For me, the Olympics were beyond my dreams to participate and to actually have success there was I had never dreamed of it, and I didn’t realize how wonderful it will be. So I always say it was beyond anything I ever dreamed.”
In the tennis world, traditionalist has always said that winning a major title is the biggest thing that can be achieved in the sport. Williams currently has five Wimbledon and two US Open titles to her name. Despite this impressive collection, none of it compares to her Olympic experiences.
“The proudest moment for me when they do the on-court announcements, are the Olympic results. For me, that feels legitimate.” Williams said.
“Everybody’s got priorities. Mine are at the Olympics.”
Williams joins a growing list of players on the tour that has ranked the Olympics as their top priority. World No.1 Novak Djokovic is hoping to become the first man from his country to win a gold medal since Serbia’s independence.
“It’s definitely right up there at the top of the priorities of this season,” Djokovic said about the Olympics earlier this year.
Unlike tour events, the Olympic tennis event will not provide any ranking points to players. At this week’s French Open, Djokovic has called for points to be awarded to players participating in what he described ‘the fifth grand slam’ of tennis.
“That was one of the debates, whether or not we should have points in the Olympic Games, and to be quite frank, I don’t see a reason why not,” Djokovic said after his opening win at Roland Garros.
“We have the best players in the world participating in arguably the fifth Grand Slam. It’s of that importance for all of us, even more, because it happens only every four years.”
Nadal and Watson baffled by players skipping the games
The four-year event isn’t to everybody’s liking. Dominic Thiem, John Isner, Bernard Tomic and Feliciano Lopez have all confirmed that they not will play in the Olympics due to other commitments. Rafael Nadal, who won a gold medal at the 2008 games, has admitted that he is baffled by players deciding to skip the Rio event.
“The Olympic Games is the most important event in the world of sport,” said Nadal.
“I cannot understand people who don’t want to go to the Olympics. It’s an event that you can compete only once, twice, or three in your career maybe, if you are lucky. So you don’t want to miss that.”
This year, Nadal will be carrying his country’s flag during the opening ceremony.
Supporting Nadal’s comments is Great Britain’s Heather Watson, who made her Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games. The world No. 56 has also dismissed concerns about the Zika virus disrupting the event. Brazil is currently struggling to contain the outbreak of the disease, which is transferred by mosquitoes.
“I have no idea why they don’t want to go. Because I love it. I had a great time, and I want to go back.” A smiling Watson said in Paris.
The Olympic tennis event will start on August 6th at the Olympic Tennis Center in Rio de Janeiro.
