This content was published 10 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

Venus Williams is back with a bang.
The former world no.1 beat Annika Beck 6-3 6-1 to book her place in the second round.
Next up for the American will be the winner of Tuesday’s match between Carla Suarez Navarro and wild card Mona Barthel.
And in her down time the seven-time Slam winner spent time chatting about her return to Foro Italico.

How does it feel to be back on court?
Venus: It is fabulous. It’s a good time for professional tennis, I have spent the first two games to get my flow and feel pretty good out there.

Where are your priorities at the moment? Are you focusing on clay or grass?
Venus: I have always loved clay, I won few big titles on clay. Wimbledon is so far away, surfaces are changing in between and I don’t think it is on anybody’s mind at the moment.

A lot of time has passed since you put your racket down in Charleston?
Venus: After Charleston I put the racket down, wasn’t able to play anywhere. I get back on the court, I started about a week before Madrid, taking time to work on my baseline again.

Has Rome changed from your visits over the years?
Venus: I stil have friends here, actually I came here in October to see them. More than anything I want to play matches, and I don’t want just be visiting. For me if I don’t get to see many sites – that means that I am winning, so it’s awesome.

Have you read your father’s book?
Venus: No, not yet actually. He gave me a copy before I left but I haven’t read it yet. It’s on my list of things to do.