Former world number one Venus Williams says that she’s trying to keep a healthy diet plan in order to control the Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease she was diagnosed with back in 2011. She added that she’s going to play a “realistic schedule” in 2014. Last week, the American lost her second round match in another three set thriller against Petra Kvitova that was decided in a tiebreak. Williams is currently in Dubai for another premier event with her younger sister Serena who also accepted a wildcard.
“I try to eat right and I play to a realistic schedule during the season,” she said in an interview with Gulf News. “For a few years now I was not able to do as much as I wanted to. I would love to change that this year. I feel great at the moment and the fact that I’m not seeded doesn’t put me under any sort of pressure. It’s quite exciting really as it doesn’t really matter who you play as long as you win and get into the next round.”
“A lot of things have happened in my life since the past four years and it’s a big step for me just to be here. I have to just go out there and start playing and winning. There is no other way around that. I enjoy it all,” she added.
Williams won her first round match at the Dubai Duty Free Championships by defeating Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-3, 6-2.
“I definitely don’t take for granted any win anymore,” Williams said. “Not that I used to because I earned it.”
“But now it’s even more special.”
