The seven time Grand Slam singles winner was met by ASB staff as she pushed her trolley through the arrivals gate at Auckland International Airport, before being surrounded by waiting media.
She was among several tennis players who landed yesterday morning ahead of the ASB Classic tournament which starts next week. It was a low-key arrival for the US sports star, a small media pack the only sign she was due through the doors.
Dressed casually in black leggings and a white tank top, Williams, 33, revealed she had big hopes for the Auckland competition and the year ahead.
Asked what she hoped to achieve at the tournament, she said: "Well the other day I dreamed I had a win, and then I woke up and I realised I hadn't even played a round.
"So it was like, 'oh man','' she added, laughing.
"I hope to go round by round and at least get to the finals. That'd be awesome.''
After battling ill-health in recent years, which has seen her tumble down the world rankings to her current 47th slot, Williams said she felt like she was back on form.
"I feel like I'm coming into the season as fit and healthy as I have in many years, so for me that's exciting,'' she said.
Williams said her goal for the 2014 season was "to be like Serena Williams", her world number one champion sister.
Success on the Auckland courts would ring in a good start to the new year Venus, who said she was forced to miss Christmas as she was on the plane.
''... we [also] missed the 26th, so I don't know where the 26th went. We can't find it,'' she joked.
And with that she thanked media, helped lift her suitcases into the boot of a waiting car, and was whisked off towards the city.
- by Patrice Dougan
