Sport
Williams sisters will defend their Olympics doubles title
Serena Williams (l) and Venus Williams (r)
The Williams sisters will aim to defend their Olympic doubles title in London next summer.
Serena Williams said Friday that she and sister Venus are eager to go for their third Olympic gold together, after triumphing in Sydney and Beijing.
“We’re the defending champions and we want to defend our title and I don’t see why we wouldn’t,” Serena said, ahead of the sisters’ exhibition match in Milan on Saturday against Italian duo Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta. “This is a good preview to the Olympics, we both want to play. So this is a great, great time for us, so exciting.”
The sisters were unable to defend their title in Athens 2004 after Serena injured her knee.
Venus also won the singles gold medal in Sydney. However, the five-time Wimbledon champion’s ranking has fallen to No. 104 because of injuries, while Serena is ranked 12th.
Venus has played just once since pulling out of the U.S. Open three months ago because of an immune system disease. She beat Serena 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in an exhibition match in Colombia last week.
Venus has changed her diet to include more vegetables after being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, which can cause fatigue and joint pain.
