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Enlarge Photo Venus Williams of the U.S. prepares to serve to Russia's Alisa Kleybanova at the 2010... Staying one step ahead of her rivals is all in a day's work for five-times Wimbledon champion Venus Williams. 365 days a year."I work really hard year in and year out. If I was just relaxing, then I probably would be pretty surprised if I was here," Williams said after ousting Russian Alisa Kleybanova 6-4 6-2 in the third round on Friday.
Williams celebrated her 30th birthday last week but three convincing victories in the opening week of the tournament have proved that it will take something special to dethrone her on the green lawns she so loves.
She has no intention of slowing down, despite a haul of 43 singles, 19 doubles titles and over $27 million banked in prizemoney.
"I'm just blessed to be healthy enough and strong enough and still talented enough to play," she said.
"People are playing longer these days. They don't give it up too quickly anymore. If they do give it up, they come back and keep winning."
Her latter remark referred to Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, who have both returned to the tour after career breaks.
Henin, who will play her Belgian compatriot in the fourth round, said earlier this week that the Williams sisters' vice-like grip on the women's game and a generation of players that have been carried to greater heights by their exploits has made life tough for aspiring younger rivals.
Venus said such talk just made her work harder.
"These players I'm playing against, I definitely feel I'm holding them at bay. They come out and play well, play with really nothing to lose.
"These days, in men's or women's (tennis), you can't take anything for granted. You have to go out there and play 100 percent."
Kleybanova, the world number 27, did her best to unsettle the number two seed, taking an early 3-1 lead before Williams cut her down to size with her trademark powerful serves and thundering groundstrokes.
(Editing by Miles Evans; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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