Venus Williams targets more success after Dubai win

Venus beat Cornet in the final

Venus Williams intends to defend her Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship title in 2015 in a bid to move level with the all-time record holder Justine Henin on four tournament triumphs overall.

The 33-year-old American took her tally in the emirate to three on Saturday night with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over France’s Alize Cornet in the final — her 15^th straight win here following similar heroics in 2009 and 2010.

It ended a 16-month drought without an event success on the WTA Tour (Luxembourg in October 2012) and, having now chalked up 45 of them in her career to date, Williams is targeting even more here and beyond. “The last tournament I won was at the end of 2012, so it feels good,” the seven-time Grand Slam champion admitted.

“I have had a good week and everything is falling together. I can take a lot of match and mental toughness away from this week.

“When things got tough, I definitely got going this week. If I was down break point, when push came to shove, I was pushing and shoving. “I’ve just improved so much. I’m just playing bigger points and converting them. That’s what I needed to be able to do.

“That takes time for any player and it took time for me to continue to learn how to do that; to put myself in the position and then finally start getting across the finish line.

“I’d definitely love to come back. Equalling Justine’s record here is not a target right now, but it probably will be next year.”

Venus’ performance here has had people speculating if this is a throwback to the ‘vintage Venus’ of yesteryear, although she simply sees it as another positive development in her evolution as a person and tennis player. “Winning all those Grand Slam titles and playing deep and getting to the final so many times, those are amazing accomplishments,” she added.

“It takes a lot of nerve and mental prowess, so I’d like to think I’m on that path. I’m not looking to do anything I did in the past because I already did that.

“I’m looking to improve and be a better, smarter Venus. This week is obviously a step. Every week for me is a step.”

Williams also had some words of encouragement for the defeated Cornet, who she hailed as a “great addition to the game” who brings “passion on the court” in the wake of her “awesome” win over her little sister Serena in the semis.

Cornet herself looked to take the plus points away from a productive week, in spite of a naturally disappointing finale.

“It was a great week for me,” the 24-year-old explained. “I would have loved to have made it a better final, with a little bit more suspense, and the score is really too hard to finish such a good week.

“But, I will have to take all of the positive things out of this week. There are a lot, so I’m still very motivated for the rest of the season.”