By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, May 26, 2016
Venus and Serena Williams have each won an Olympic tennis record four gold medals, including three consecutive doubles gold medals.
Photo credit: AP Photo
Olympic gold is more meaningful to Venus Williams than Grand Slam silverware.
The four-time Olympic gold medal champion values the Games more than Grand Slams because of the pride she feels competing as an Olympian.
Cornet: I Know the Rule and Respect It
"For me, personally, yes (Olympics are above Grand Slams)," Venus told the media at Roland Garros today. "The proudest moment for me when they do the on-court announcements, are the Olympic results. For me, that feels legitimate."
Less than a month away from celebrating her 36th birthday, Williams did not face a break point dismissing talented American teenager Louisa Chirico, 6-2, 6-1, to reach the Roland Garros third round for the first time in six years.
Contesting her 19th career French Open, the ninth-seeded Williams will play 50th-ranked Frenchwoman Alize Cornet for a trip to the fourth round. Cornet survived a dramatic and controversial clash with Tatjana Maria.
Williams is 5-0 lifetime vs. Cornet, winning all 10 sets they've played, including a straight-sets win at the 2007 Roland Garros.
The Williams sisters made history at the 2012 London Olympics capturing their third consecutive doubles gold medal, giving them both four gold medals —and making them the most successful women in Olympic tennis history.
Serena Williams also won the singles gold in London, joining Venus, who swept gold in singles and doubles at the 2000 Sydney Games.
The sisters, who are playing doubles together in Paris, are both aiming to play singles and doubles at the Rio Games this summer.
"It's just a dream come true, really," Venus said. "It's a wonderful experience to be part of something so amazing. For me, the Olympics was beyond my dreams to participate and to actually have success there was I had never dreamed of it, and I didn't realize how wonderful it will be. So I always say it was beyond anything I ever dreamed."
Some players, including American John Isner and Austrian Dominic Thiem are not playing the Olympics. Asked if she's surprised some are sitting out the Olympic experience, Venus said it's an individual choice.
"Everybody's got priorities. Mine are at the Olympics," Williams said. "Others are, I don't know. It's just life choices. No big deal, you know."