ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE venus williams encourages us to be our best
BY MARY K. LOVE
102 CSD
Charleston has once again welcomed tennis great Venus Williams to the annual Volvo Car Open on Daniel Island. In her 20 years as a professional athlete, she has won 23 overall Grand Slam titles and four Olympic gold medals. At this year’s Australian Open she returned to a Grand Slam final for the first time since 2009, playing her sister, Serena, in an exciting and historic match. At the end of that match, Venus was ranked number 11 in the world. Williams’ drive to achieve her goals is evident both on and off the court. In 2002 Williams founded V Starr Interiors, a full-service commercial and residential interior design firm. In 2007 she launched EleVen by Venus Williams, a line of athletic apparel designed to “get people moving, healthy and feeling damn good about how they look and feel.” Williams’ advice to her customers and fans is to be confident, express them- selves and live without limits.
What do you like most about visiting Charleston? The first time I came here I was 12 years old. At that time, the tournament was held in Hilton Head. I have come back many times over the years. I love Charleston’s hospitality. I love the support from the fans. And most of all I love the op- portunity to play right at home
