I want to be number one: Venus Williams

Wimbledon champion Venus Williams is eyeing regaining the top spot in women’s tennis as she gears up for another tilt at the season’s opening Grand Slam, the Australian Open.

Williams, who reached the number one ranking in early 2002 and is currently sixth in the world, finished 2008 on a high note, winning her first year-end WTA Tour Championships. The American, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles said reaching the top of the women’s game remained a realistic goal. 

“I’m happy with everything. I worked really hard last year to get what I had to and (am) definitely proud of those achievements,” she said. “This year I feel I’m in a great position to move forward to number one but of course I’ve got to do it and that will be the fun part.”

Williams, preparing for the Australian Open later this month, is captaining the US team in Hong Kong’s World Team Challenge, featuring teams representing Europe, Russia, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. Williams said she was feeling fit after a long break and was looking forward to some tough matches in Hong Kong.