World-famous tennis star Venus Williams is in town this week for a match at the Bank of the West Classic, the longest-running women-only professional tennis tournament in the world. The tournament is held on Stanford University’s campus at Taube Family Tennis Stadium, and has been churning out winners such as Billie Jean King and the Williams sisters since 1997. We had the opportunity to chat with Venus before her big match about visiting SF and what she's up to when she's not on the court.
You play soon, on Wednesday the 18th. Do you have any pre-match routines or rituals?
I eat a ton. I have to eat so much that I get tired of eating! I practice a couple hours before, but I don't have any rituals—I don't want to get hooked on anything. I try to relax going into the match, if you feel relaxed and confident you don't need any rituals.
Do you like to train outside?
I do, I usually run outside in whatever city I'm in. I love running in Hong Kong and Singapore, there are so many meandering ways, you can always have a different route and it doesn't feel like Groundhog Day. I haven't had a chance to run in San Francisco—I think the hills would be killer! Maybe I'll avoid it.
Ha! So what will you do while you're here? Do you have any down time?
I am going to have some down time! I'm looking forward to exploring because I haven't spent a lot of time here, so for me it will be a discovery, finding out what the city is all about. I have some friends here, so I'll have to get the lowdown from them.
Or from us! Any spots you already know you want to check out?
I love being on the water in San Francisco. I love the architecture, I love the Golden Gate Bridge; it's such an icon, everybody recognizes it.
What else do you do when you're not on the court? You have a fashion line, right?
Yes! EleVen is fashion-forward active wear, made for women who want to push past their limits—past the ten! I love sports—no big surprise—but I also love fashion, and wanted to combine two of my loves into something I could continue doing after tennis. So I went to fashion school and decided to pursue it seriously.
Who are your style icons?
Really just myself! Because the brand really has to be me—if it's someone else, it would be a copy. I try to think, what would I wear? To bring my own personal style.
Is there a celebrity you'd love to see wearing your designs?
Serena, for sure! That would be my ultimate dream.
Would you say EleVen is your proudest achievement off the court?
When you see something happen that you've always wanted to do, that's always been your dream, and people like it—it's a big relief! And it means we can continue. Just seeing the collection continue to grow has been amazing.
The Bank of the West Classic takes place from Monday July 18 through Sunday July 24 at Stanford University. Venus Williams plays Session 06: Round 2 at 7pm.