bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Paul Ryding

Seven-time grand slam winner Venus Williams has been visiting Hong Kong since she was 18 years old. This year she returns after a short absence to headline the US$250,000 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, starting at Victoria Park on Monday.
Of her fondness for the city, the five-time Wimbledon singles champion says: "Honestly, after the [US] Open, I was so excited - I couldn't wait to come back out here and play. And I usually don't feel like that at the end of the season. Usually at the end of the season your pacing yourself and you're just trying to get through, so I'm enjoying my time and I'm enjoying the moment."
READ MORE: Venus Williams targets Hong Kong win to seal ticket to lucrative season-ending WTA Finals
We looked back through the archives for snapshots of her previous visits to the city she says she has grown to love over the years.

After a first visit with her sister Serena as an 18-year-old starlet for an exhibition in 1999, Venus' next visit was for the Watsons Water Challenge, an exhibition event, in 2004.

Venus joined Martina Navratilova and other players, past and present, at the Watsons Water Champions Challenge Player Party at the Mandarin Oriental in 2004.

Venus with other star players visiting the city for the Watsons Water Challenge in 2005.

Venus' love for the city grew during her participation in the Watsons Water Challenge.
WATCH: Venus Williams' discusses her plans for life after tennis

Venus was back with her sister in 2006, dressed to kill at a welcome party ahead of the Champion's Challenge exhibition event.

Venus was back in 2008, this time for the JB Group Classic.

One year later in January 2009, Venus participated in the JB Group Classic again.

Venus has been a firm fan favourite down the years during her visits to Hong Kong.

Venus was back in 2010 for the Hong Kong Tennis Classic, and took the chance to sample the city's shopping alongside Victoria Azarenka and mum Oracene.

But it wasn't all fun, and before long Venus was back to the serious business of participating at the 2010 Hong Kong Tennis Classic.

On her last visit to Hong Kong in 2011, she accepted the honour of firing the traditional Noonday Gun from Causeway Bay along with Chinese ace Li Na and other players.

Cover your ears!



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

Venus Williams and her 16-year love affair with Hong Kong in pictures

Venus and sister Serena arrive at Hong Kong airport, where they were instantly recognised, for their first visit in 1999. Photo: Dustin Shum

Venus speaks to reporters ahead of the Watsons Water Champion Challenge in 2004. Photo: Antony Dickson

Venus with Martina Navratilova at the Watsons Water Champions Challenge Player Party at the Mandarin Oriental in 2004. Photo: Antony Dickson

Venus with Elena Dementieva, Chanda Rubin, Roger Federer, Martin Verkerk, Martina Navratilova, Max Mirnyi and Maria Sharapova at the party. Photo: Antony Dickson

Venus' mother, Oracene, watches her daughter practice ahead of the Watsons Water Champions Challenge. Photo: KY Cheng


Venus with Maria Sharapova and Hong Kong Olympic Committee president  Timothy Fok Tsun-ting at the Watsons Water Champions Challenge players' party in 2005. Photo: Ricky Chung

Venus in action at the 2005 Watsons Water Championships Challenge. Photo: AP

Venus and Serena attend the Champion's Challenge cocktail party in 2006. Photo: AP


Venus with Sania Mirza, Elena Dementieva, Lindsay Davenport, sister Serena, Nicole Vaidisova and Zheng Jie. Photo: KY Cheng

Venus sports a different look at the JB Group Classic in January 2008. Photo: Xinhua

Venus in action in the 2009 JB Group Classic. Photo: KY Cheng


Venus greets the crowd after playing at the JB Group Classic. Photo: KY Cheng

Venus and Victoria Azarenka promote "Girls Love Shopping" during the Hong Kong Tennis Classic in 2010. Photo: Oliver Tsang

Venus and Victoria Azarenka have cash to burn.  Photo: Oliver Tsang

Then it's back to business on the tennis court. Photo: Oliver Tsang

Venus Williams helps fire the Noonday Gun in Causeway Bay. Photo: KY Cheng

Venus Williams and Li Na have a blast at the Noonday Gun. Photo: KY Cheng

Venus Williams almost back to her best, says Ana Ivanovic

Venus Williams was impressive against Ana Ivanovic. Photo: EPA

Venus Williams targets Hong Kong win to seal ticket to lucrative season-ending WTA Finals

Hong Kong's skyscrapers provide a backdrop for Venus Williams as she poses ahead of the Hong Kong Open. Photos: Sam Tsang 

Hong Kong's skyscrapers provide a backdrop for Venus Williams as she poses ahead of the Prudential Hong Kong Open. Photos: Sam Tsang 

Venus Williams meets the press at Victoria Park on Saturday.

The American is in top form having won the Wuhan Open recently for her biggest win in five years. 

Sport

Tennis

The world no 14 has been a consistent participant in Hong Kong through the years, and is delighted to be back again this year


Seven-time grand slam winner Venus Williams has been visiting Hong Kong since she was 18 years old. This year she returns after a short absence to headline the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open at Victoria Park, starting at Victoria Park on Monday.
