Love of the Game: Venus Williams, Tennis Star, Fitness Video Game Ambassador

Williams, who joined the Washington Kastles for World Team Tennis last summer, says she’ll be playing in the nation’s capital again in 2011. And she’ll be doing at least some of her training in front of her TV.

What’s your favorite part of the new game?
I like the basketball drills. You do side lunges and have to shoot at just the right time. But I also love the mountain biking and the regular exercises — like the squat and arm press. There are a lot of ways to keep moving.

Do you usually work out with a heart rate monitor?
I sometimes do to try to keep myself in a certain zone when training. It’s a neat tool in the game to see your fitness level.

Is someone of your fitness level actually challenged by this stuff?
Oh, absolutely. You can go easy or hard. And by the time you do 50 lunges, anybody would be fatigued. For me, it’s a great way to mix up my workout.

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I figured your favorite part of the game would be getting to dress your avatar.
Well, that is a fun aspect. Maybe next time we can add a fashion studio. Every day, I throw out ideas for the next version. I really want tennis-based drills. You could run side to side, and up and back. We just need to adapt them to the game.

Do you dress up for your workouts as much as you do for competitions?
It depends on how I’m feeling. Some days, I don’t match at all. But once you get up and ready and put your cute outfit on, you gotta go.

What do you typically do to stay in shape?
Normally, I spend a few hours on the court and in the gym. I do everything — legs, arms, core.

Do you have a trainer like in the game?
I have a physical therapist, but otherwise I’m on my own. Having someone there can keep you from cutting corners and avoiding exercises you don’t like.

What don’t you like?
Push-ups. And slow, controlled exercises. It takes so long that I feel like I’ve done 90 reps. I like to do everything fast and keep it moving.

Photo by Mark Gail for The Washington Post

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