Serena Williams of the United States, left, plays a return shot as children looks on during their ‘Breaking the Mould’ development tennis clinic at the Arthur Ashe Academy in Soweto, South Africa, on Saturday November 3, 2012. Serena and sister Venus arrived in Johannesburg on Saturday and are scheduled to play an exhibition match togehter, as well as conducting some tennis sports clinics for children and adults. AP/Themba Hadebe
JOHANNESBURG — In the midst of the Williams sisters’ first bustling visit to Africa, Serena wasn’t quite sure which country she was in Saturday but was certain of one thing: It was only “a matter of time” before she was world No. 1 again.
Serena and older sister Venus arrived in South Africa on an early-morning flight from Nigeria, though Serena told reporters at a luxury hotel and casino complex how nice it was to be in Australia. She quickly corrected her slip, joking that she was already focused on next season.
“I’m already thinking of the Australian Open,” she said, smiling. “I’m constantly thinking of Grand Slams.”
Venus also was feeling the travel fatigue after the siblings’ arrived in Johannesburg off a busy three-day stop in Nigeria. She opened the morning media briefing with “good afternoon.”
It didn’t hurt their huge popularity with the large group of South African journalists. Nor did the duo arriving more than two hours late because of flight delays. The reporters applauded and whooped when the Americans finally got there and even cheered at one point during the press conference.
“It’s so great to be in South Africa,” Venus said. “It’s an honor to be here.”
It was understandable that Serena would want to get to Australia and back on court at a major tournament as quickly as possible after a standout second half of 2012, when she won Wimbledon, Olympic gold, the U.S. Open and last weekend’s season-ending WTA Tour Championships.
Serena still ended the season ranked No. 3 after a slow start to 2012, which was epitomized by a first-round exit at the French Open. But the ranking didn’t concern her.
“I’m not thinking about that (not being No. 1) so much,” Serena said. “For me, I’d rather have Grand Slams and victories. I’ve been No. 1 before and believe me I’ll be No. 1 again. It’s just a matter of time.”
Her fifth Wimbledon title was probably the highlight of a good year, although collecting pins from other athletes at the Summer Olympics was almost as good as collecting the gold medal in London, she said.
“Winning Wimbledon was really great. I’d probably have to lean towards that (being the highlight),” she said.
The sisters were in Africa in support of a women’s charity, but also spent time coaching young kids in Nigeria and South Africa — and were due to renew their rivalry on court in a second exhibition match on the tour in Johannesburg on Sunday in front of a sellout crowd of 4,000 fans.
Venus beat higher-ranked Serena on Friday in Lagos after Serena had gone 31-1 since her first-round loss in Paris.
“We’re going to go all out,” Serena said, promising revenge for that defeat to Venus in Nigeria. “I may make a few unforced errors but I’m going to do my best.”
Venus said when the pair played, their parents “don’t say too much,” but always want the one who lost the last game to win the latest contest.
Later Saturday, the sisters went to the famous Johannesburg township of Soweto to pass on some tips to a group of local children, who got to hit balls with the multiple Grand Slam winners at the township’s Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre.
The biggest cheer there was for a young boy in a bright red cap and white t-shirt who hammered a forehand winner past Serena. It also earned him a wide smile and a high five from Venus.