School still in for Venus

After 14 years on the women’s tour, one could be excused for thinking that Venus Williams has nothing more to learn.

After all, the former world No. 1 has seven Grand Slam titles to her name and nearly AUD$22 million in prizemoney.

But in her own words, Williams still needs “maturity and years to get wisdom.”

“I’m not limited to anything,” she said after her straight-sets victory over German Angelique Kerber in the opening round of Australian Open 2009.

“I try to learn from my mistakes. I try to learn from everyone I play or watch.”

And despite the distractions around her, Williams still likes to keep her head to the ground and let her tennis do the talking.

When quizzed about the impact of incoming US President Barack Obama’s inauguration, the 28-year-old was non-committal.

“I really am not a political expert. I know zero. I know a lot about tennis, so if you ask me about tennis, I can just go toe-to-toe with you ...

“I don’t know really what’s happening at home … I don’t watch a ton of TV and I don’t read the papers too much.”

If she was to read the newspapers, it might be safe to say that Venus wouldn’t find much written about herself anyway.

Despite a year that delivered her fifth Wimbledon crown and first season-ending Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championship title, the world No. 6 hasn’t been subjected to the frenzied attention afforded to her rivals in the lead-up to this year’s Australian Open.

Of course, Williams knows that favouritism is irrelevant – she is out to make her own luck.

“I’m actually feeling pretty healthy. That’s what I hope and dream for … So now it’s up to me what I can do with my racquet.”

For so long an innovator on the court, Williams is not afraid to try new things in her spare time – including braving Melbourne’s notoriously difficult inner-city traffic.

“I drive everywhere … I’ve driven downtown. I make that wide turn [a hook turn]. I get lost. I take detours. I double back and I succeed. I want to try a drive-through. That’s next.

“It’s much more fun driving here than at home, because there it’s a chore and here it’s like a luxury, kind of like an adventure, because you might not know the way, but you still get there.”

Indeed, it’s been a long journey for Venus Williams over the years at the Australian Open, but 2009 may just be the year she arrives at her dream destination.