Serena Williams returns in Stuttgart
Serena Williams would happily forgo the US $100,000 (euro70,000) prizemoney that goes to the winner of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
Serena Williams would happily forgo the US $100,000 (euro70,000) prizemoney that goes to the winner of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
She'd much rather drive off in the bright red convertible parked courtside.
The tournament gives the winner a choice either a cash prize or a low-slung Porsche 911 sports car. Williams, returning to action for the first time since beating Jelena Jankovic in the final of the US Open three weeks ago and regaining the world No. 1 ranking, knows which she'd prefer.
"I've been trying for so long to win the Porsche, it's about time to take that 911 home," Williams said.
Williams lost in the quarterfinals last year, to Svetlana Kuznetsova, and she could run into the Russian again at the same stage this week.
Both Williams sisters are in Stuttgart. Venus is seeded sixth and is in the opposite half of the draw, meaning the sisters cannot meet until the final. The two are also playing doubles. They won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing.
Serena will also be seeking to defend her No. 1 ranking. Jankovic, who won the China Open on Sunday, is only 21 points behind.
"I'm close to gaining the No. 1 spot again, but I'm just trying to focus on playing one match at a time and working on my game," Jankovic said in China.