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After more than two decades on the professional tennis circuit, Venus Williams is on an upswing and shows little sign of slowing, turning in one of her strongest seasons in years.
The American veteran heads to Hong Kong next week after taking the crown at the Wuhan Open Saturday – her biggest win since 2010 and her 47th career title – when Garbine Muguruza retired in the second set.
“I know I had my chances. But I knew with Venus, it’s hard. With her serve, with her shots, if you’re not 100 per cent,” said the 21-year-old Spaniard after the match.

Read all our Hong Kong Open coverage here
The 35-year-old star, who has long dominated women’s tennis with her younger sister Serena, looked on form at Wuhan and retirement seems to be far from her mind.
She is travelling to Beijing next for the China Open, then Hong Kong for the Prudential Hong Kong Open, and might yet qualify for the year-ending WTA Finals in Singapore, which she hadn’t made since 2009.
“I absolutely do want to play and I’ll do everything I can to be ready to play. I want to be as close to 100 per cent as possible. So that’s my goal,” Williams said of the Beijing tournament after her win in Wuhan.

And she’s sure to be back next year, with her sights already firmly set on the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
“That will be awesome to be able to play there, represent the US again. That will be an honour,” she said.
Today Williams regularly goes up against players who were barely as tall as a tennis racket when she first appeared on the professional circuit in 1994 – the year Muguruza was born – and might be forgiven if she opted to slow down.

In 2011 she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Disease, an immune system disease that often leaves her exhausted.
The illness threatened to end her career, but with the help of a new diet Williams has returned to the upper echelons, reaching her first grand slam quarter-finals since 2010 in Australia before losing to her sister in the fourth round of Wimbledon this year.
This summer the seven-time grand slam winner also had another kind of victory – graduating from Indiana University East with a degree in business administration.

Off and on the court she remains a dominant force in tennis, where she has also emerged as an influential campaigner for equal prize money for women.
“I think anyone who goes up against Venus... and expects an easy or a quick one is quite crazy,” said Briton Johanna Konta, who fell to Williams in the quarter-finals at Wuhan.
Williams next heads to Beijing, where she will once again be the oldest player in the main draw, but with one thing on her mind.
“I always want to be in finals. Doesn’t matter what stage I’m in. Even if it was the last tournament of my career, I would still want to be in that final,” she said.
“It just never gets old.”
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Open organisers will be sweating on the fitness of Muguruza, who retired with an ankle injury.
Big names such as Eugenie Bouchard and Victoria Azarenka are in doubt for the tournament and defending champion Sabine Lisicki is definitely out as injuries take their toll on players at the end of a long season.


Back again: Prudential confirms partnership as Hong Kong Tennis Open sponsor

Hong Kong Tennis Open can be Asia's answer to Wimbledon or the Australian Open, say organisers  

'I can still beat the best': Jelena Jankovic crowned champion at Hong Kong Tennis Open 

Jelena Jankovic wins the Hong Kong Tennis Open with a three-set win over Angelique Kerber

Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2015

Veteran Venus Williams on the up ahead of Hong Kong trip as she wins Wuhan title

Venus Williams celebrates with the Wuhan Open trophy. Photo: AFP

Garbine Muguruza might be a doubt for Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

Venus Williams returns the ball to Muguruza. Photo: AFP

Garbine Muguruza reacts after retiring. Photo: AFP

Venus Williams in action in the Wuhan final. Photo: Xinhua

Victoria Azarenka, Eugenie Bouchard worries for Hong Kong Open organisers after losing defending champion Sabine Lisicki 

Eugenie Bouchard at the Wuhan Open. Photo: Wuhan Open Facebook page

Eugenie Bouchard had to pull out of the US Open. Photo: AP

Sabine Lisicki in action at the US Open. Photo: AFP

Sabine Lisicki (left) and Boris Becker's wife Lilly party at Munich's Oktoberfest at the weekend. Photo: EPA

Victoria Azarenka's thigh was heavily wrapped in Wuhan. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong tennis chief determined to make city a must-visit for world's top stars once again

Venus Williams has played in Hong Kong many times and will return for the Prudential Hong Kong Open as organisers embark on lifting the game's profile again. Photo: AFP

Chris Lai is a former Davis Cup player. Photo: SCMP Pictures

HKTA chief executive Chris Lai is working hard to make the Hong Kong Open a top tournament.   

Sport

Tennis

But there's a fresh injury worry for HK organisers as Garbine Muguruza retires in final


After more than two decades on the professional tennis circuit, Venus Williams is on an upswing and shows little sign of slowing, turning in one of her strongest seasons in years.
