Venus Williams opens up dreams, diet and father Richard Williams in a wide-ranging Q&A.
Venus Williams is a visionary eyeing a rousing reunion: playing doubles with sister Serena Williams at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Watch: Venus & Rob Gronkowski Work Out With Their Trophies

In a wide-ranging Q&A she conducted on her YouTube channel, Venus touched on several topics, including her game, goals, diet, health of father Richard Williams and her ultimate aim in the game.

Venus, who won the mixed doubles silver medal with Rajeev Ram at the 2016 Rio Olympics, made history in her Olympic debut sweeping gold medals in singles and doubles, alongside Serena, at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The four-time Olympic gold-medal champion is pumped to play doubles with Serena again.

“Williams sisters doubles action has to happen soon—I’m missing doubles,” Venus says at about 10:10 of the video below. “They moved the Olympics to next year so hopefully Serena will play with me.

"Hopefully, we’ll qualify. Hopefully, the world will be okay, and we’ll be playing doubles real soon."

Venus, who celebrates her 40th birthday on June 17th, says she has no desire to coach another pro when her playing days are done.

“No, you know why?” Because they don’t listen,” she jokes at about the 5:15 mark of the video. “And you tell them to win the point and they lose the point. Can’t put up with that. Also, I don’t want to have anymore sun on the skin than I’ve had. I swear I’m gonna turn into a raisin.

“If I coach people it will just be at night when there’s no sun. And if they have a day-time match, I won’t be there. Simple.”

Though she won't coach pro tennis, the five-time Wimbledon champion, who revealed she's called "VeeVee" by niece, Olympia, says she's love to work with kids when her playing days are done. 

“Actually I do love being on court with kids," Venus says. "So I think kind of once I’m dong playing tennis I’ll probably take a little break. And then help the young kids a little bit.

"You know they don’t need me everyday, but I’m gonna come out and say bend your knees.”

Asked about the health of her father, and original coach, Richard Williams, who has reportedly been battling illness, Venus replies: “My dad is going great. He’s a character out of characterville and I love him. There’s never a dull moment with that guy and he’s a great dad.”

The devoted 90 Day Fiance fan once famously described herself as “a chegan—a vegan who cheats” also dishes on her craving for a Cookie Monster-style diet.

“My favorite foods to eat are the ones I should not be eating: pie, cake, cookies, donuts, candy,” Venus says. “But let me tell you something: I have discovered that I love asparagus—but just not cooked. So I chop if up in little pieces, put in olive oil, salt and pepper, red pepper, truffle oil…delicious.”

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

"I prefer to donate to people or institutions that really need it," Australian Open finalist says.
Dominic Thiem isn't planning on donating to the Novak Djokovic-led relief effort to help lower-ranked players.

Thiem says the struggle to rise from tennis' lower ranks is part of the process all pros face and he doesn't support the plan, initiated by Djokovic and supported by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, to give money to lower-ranked players trying to survive the sport's shutdown during this coronavirus crisis.

More: Financial Relief Coming for Lower-Ranked Players

"I know the Futures Tour and played there for two years. There are a lot of people who don't give everything to sport," Thiem told Krone.at sports editor Michael Fall in an interview. "I don't see why I should give money to such people. I would prefer to donate to people or institutions that really need it."

The ATP and WTA jointly announced continued suspension of the pro circuit until at least July 13th due to the coronavirus outbreak, though that day may well be extended. 

The three-time Grand Slam finalist says none of today's top players received charity in their rise up the rankings and points out there are no guarantees in tennis unlike some team sports.

"None of us top people got it as a gift. We had to fight our way up," Thiem told Krone.at. "I'm not guaranteed in any profession to make a lot of money at some point.

"No tennis players are fighting for survival, not even the ones down below. Nobody has to starve."

Earlier this month, ATP player council president Djokovic said he's in discussions with Federer and Nadal about donating to a relief fund for lower-ranked players.

"I spoke to Roger and Rafa a few days ago and we had a conversation about the near future of tennis," Djokovic said. "How we can contribute to help lower ranked guys who are obviously struggling the most. A majority of players ranked between 250 to 700 or 1,000 don’t have federation support or sponsors and are independent and left alone. 

"Players hopefully will contribute collectively to the relief fund that the ATP will distribute using models and criteria. … hopefully between $3-4.5 million will be distributed to lower-ranked players."

Last week, the ITF issued a statement supporting a player relief program with contributions from the sport's stakeholders during this pandemic.

"With so much uncertainty around when it will be safe to restart the professional tennis tours, the international governing bodies of world tennis can confirm they are in discussions to create a Player Relief Program to provide much-needed assistance to the players who are particularly affected during this time of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis," the ITF announced. "These discussions have been progressing well and details are being finalized with an announcement expected in the near future.

"Already agreed is that the ATP and the WTA will administer the Player Relief Program and all seven stakeholders will make a significant contribution."

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

The Swede weighs in on Roger Federer's viral tweet about a union between the tours. By: Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday April 24, 2020

Seven-time major champion Mats Wilander has seen generations of tennis come and go, but nothing like what is happening to the sport today as the Coronavirus pandemic grips the globe and threatens to wreak financial havoc on the sport.

These are unprecedented times and prescient Wilander recognizes that tennis is at a crossroads at the moment, as the game's most iconic stars approach closer to the end of their careers while the sport is effectively quarantined and in danger of not returning until 2021.

Some good points from Mats Wilander here. Hearing a lot about the average age of tennis fans/consumers and have experienced this perusing analytics over the years for sure.

Says Time for Re-Branding of Tennis https://t.co/XghkzWzyD2

— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) April 24, 2020

Wilander says the best way to deal with the current turbulence is with bold decision making that will enable the game to engage younger fans in new regions that could be growth engines for the sport.

"We have a new breed of men and women that are really exciting, great athletes, great attitude but they are missing out on a bit of the limelight while the likes of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic continue to play,” the Swede told Reuters.

"Now is the time to re-brand the sport a little to attract a younger audience. Maybe we can see more men's and women's combined events so the young players can be marketed better."

In light of Federer’s tweet about future collaboration between the WTA and ATP Tours, Wilander says that now is a good time to create more cooperation between the men’s and women’s tours. He feels that the tours have always been on the right side of history in terms of equal prize money at the majors, but admits that there are logistical and financial hurdles to weed through before a true union can be made.

"Tennis has always been at the forefront of equality between men and women's prizemoney," Wilander said. "This is a perfect time to somehow make it a working relationship where we combine.”

ATP CEO Andrea Gaudenzi has shown a keen interest in working with the women’s tour ever since he took over the helm from outgoing Chris Kermode in January. The Italian has helped the tours jump start a joint-television show called Tennis United and he has talked regularly in interviews about how the women lend a competitive advantage to tennis as a global commodity in comparison with other major sports.

“It is extremely important and I think it is one of our biggest advantages towards our competitors,” Gaudenzi said in an interview with ATPWorldTour.com last week. “Not only do we have a great women’s product, but also our audience is fairly split among women and men. A combined event, I strongly believe, is a better event both on site and [through the] media. It is just great. The variety is great. It is really a no-brainer and actually, we are lucky to be at the forefront in that regard.”

Wilander also adds that tennis needs to tackle the issue of its aging fanbase. Many believe the key to a profitable future will hinge on the sport’s ability to attract more youth in its following.

"Some tournaments wouldn't work as men's and women's event but others would. It's about demographics and being flexible and adapting to the market. But it's a necessity for tennis to attract younger fans going forward. The average age of the tennis fan is over 50."