These were Serena Williams’s words at the London Games, “We’re the defending champion and we want to defend our title and I don’t see why we wouldn’t. This is a good preview to the Olympics, we both want to play. So this is a great, great time for us, so exciting.”

The sisters could not defend their title in Athens 2004 after Serena injured her knee. Venus Williams also won the singles gold medal in Sydney. But the five-time Wimbledon champion has dipped to world number 104 because of injuries, while Serena climbed to the 12th spot after missing nearly a year with injuries and health problems.

Venus has just taken to court once since pulling out of the U.S. Open three months ago because of an immune system disease. She beat Serena 6-4, 7-6 (5) in an exhibition match in Colombia last week.

Venus has chosen a new diet and will be consuming more vegetables after being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, which can cause fatigue and joint pain.

Venus said, “I’m eating different things and that’s helping. I need to try and be stronger for next year. This is a good start for me. It’ll show me where I’m at physically. The goal is to come back in Australia. I’m taking each day at a time. When I feel good, I feel really happy. Today I feel really good, so it’s a great day.”

Serena came back shortly before Wimbledon after healed foot surgeries and blood clots in her lungs. She had sunk to number 175 but has now managed to rise in the rankings.

Serena said, “I told myself I wanted to end the year in the Top 20. But I didn’t think I would. So I’m really happy now. I was tired after the Open and didn’t want to go to Asia,” she said before bursting into laughter and correcting herself. “Well no, I was injured.”

The Williams sisters, who usually go out to play in self-designed tennis outfits and have launched clothing lines, said that they paid a visit to Armani during their stay.