{blackbabes} Venus Williams set for first 2011 match in US

WASHINGTON (AP)—Venus Williams played her first match in the United States this year and struggled Tuesday night for her World Team Tennis squad.

The 31-year-old Williams, who returned to competitive action in June after missing nearly five months with a hip injury, lost her singles set to Christina McHale.

Earlier in the match, Williams won mixed doubles for the Washington Kastles with Leander Paes. In the final set, Williams and doubles partner Rennae Stubbs lost but they held on in overtime to give Washington the victory over the defending champion Kansas City Explorers.

Williams and her sister, Serena, who will make her season debut with the Kastles on Thursday, both lost in the fourth round on the second Monday at Wimbledon.

Since then Venus has "just been relaxing and enjoying life."

Time for relaxing is over.

"Now it's time to gear up and start playing again," said Venus Williams, who often uses WTT to prepare for the upcoming hard court season.

The winner of seven grand slam singles titles, Venus Williams last played competitively in her home country during last year's U.S Open.

She helped break in the Kastles' water-adjacent stadium, located on the banks of the Potomac River.

"It's fantastic, I can't think of any other stadium on the water," said Williams, who is playing her second season for the Kastles. "It feels like we have a real home. I'm hoping my tennis will match up with the location."

Prior to Tuesday's season opening match, Williams participated in a clinic with kids from various youth organizations which brought back memories from her childhood days

"I went to a World Team Tennis clinic with Billie Jean King and remember really wanting to impress her," Williams said at the clinic's conclusion. "It's full circle. Now I'm in that position."

Williams was asked at the pre-match press conference if she would play mixed doubles in the 2012 Olympics with noted doubles player Bob Bryan.

"I've been known not to commit to relationships," Williams said "I'm always a grass is greener girl kind of girl. It's a bad habit that's followed over into tennis."

Owner of three gold medals from her two previous Olympics, she said her plans are to play singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the London games.

Her ties to the D.C. area extend beyond the Kastles. Besides a sister living in the area, Williams' design company is working on a remodeling project at Howard University's basketball gymnasium.

The outside projects, including her efforts in the fashion world, are already a component of her life and will be where she channels her competitive spirit once her professional tennis days are done.

"While I'm playing well, I'm just going to try and dominate," she said. "When I'm done, I'll dominate somewhere else."