{blackbabes} Venus Williams: 'I'm ready for the Open'

NEW YORK (AP)—Venus Williams acknowledges that a sprained left kneecap that's sidelined her during the summer hard-court circuit means her U.S. Open preparation "wasn't ideal."

Williams also declares herself "ready for the Open," which she won in 2000 and 2001.

During a conference call Tuesday to promote an interactive tennis clinic sponsored by Polo Ralph Lauren that she's hosting Thursday, Williams says she's "had a tough summer, with some bad luck with my leg."

She hurt her knee shortly before the WTA tournament in Cincinnati that began Aug. 9, and also withdrew from the tournament in Montreal last week.

It means Williams will head to the U.S. Open next week without having played on tour since her quarterfinal loss at Wimbledon on June 29. Williams is seeded No. 3 at the Open.

Online: www.RalphLauren.com