Sport
Venus Williams ranking allows her to qualify for Olympics
The United States also expects to field two teams in mixed doubles, an event returning to the Olympics after an 88-year absence. Those teams will be determined after competition in the other events begins.
Venus Williams’ ranking fell to 134th when she was idle for months after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Setting the Olympics as her No. 1 goal for 2012, she played clay tournaments for the first time in two years and improved her ranking sufficiently, even though she lost in the second round at the French Open two weeks ago.
Williams won the gold medal in singles at the 2000 Games, and won a gold in doubles with her sister at the 2000 and 2008 Games.
“The Olympics is just the ultimate in sports,” she said at the French Open. “I grew up watching those documentaries. My dad had us watch those. It was his dream for us to play there. Once I got a taste of it, it was just amazing. Every time I leave the Olympics, I go through withdrawals. It’s the pinnacle of sports. I love it there.”
Olympic tennis will be played at Wimbledon on July 28-August 5.
Novak Djokovic remained ranked No. 1 despite losing the rain-interrupted French Open final Monday to Rafael Nadal, who won the tournament for a record seventh time. With his victory, Nadal remained No. 2 instead of dropping to third behind Roger Federer.
Maria Sharapova, who won the women’s title Saturday to complete a career Grand Slam, returned to the No. 1 ranking Monday for the first time since June 2008. Runner-up Sara Errani climbed to a career-high 10th.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
