Serena and Venus Williams have shaken off injuries that have sidelined them from competitive tennis, but whether or not they will be ready for next month’s French Open remains uncertain. “The French Open is a great tournament. It’s a fun event. We definitely want to be there,” Venus Williams said. “We’re taking it week to week right now. “Our goal is sooner than later.”
Speaking Tuesday before they served as instructors at a Washington youth clinic, the Williams sisters showed no signs of the setbacks that have kept them off the court. “One thing we have learned from being away from the game is how much we love it,” Venus Williams said. Serena, a 13-time Grand Slam singles champion, has not played a top-level match since winning last year’s Wimbledon title after cutting her right foot on broken glass last July, an injury that required two operations.
She also suffered a pulmonary embolism in February that led to an emergency operation to remove a blood clot from her lung, a health concern she called the scariest moment of her life. “It was really scary,” Serena said. “I’m doing much better now. I’m feeling better.” When she might be well enough to return to WTA or Grand Slam play remains unclear.
“I’m just starting to feel better and going back onto the court,” Serena said. “I’m taking it slow. Sometimes it’s slower than I would like. But it will all work out.”
