Six years on, Venus hunts French fanfare

It is now six years since Michael Venus stood at the top of the doubles world after he and Ryan Harrison won Roland Garros, which begins again tonight.

Since then, Venus has made the doubles final at Wimbledon, twice been a finalist in mixed doubles at the US Open, has also made it to the final at the ATP Finals, and won a bronze medal at the Olympics with Marcus Daniell.

The 35-year-old has carved out a great tennis career and according to the ATP has earned $3,783,451 in prize money.

Being part of the team to win New Zealand’s first tennis medal at the Olympics goes close, but achieving a victory at a grand slam is the ultimate for any tennis player, and while 2017 seems like a long time ago, Venus says the years have flown by.

‘‘In some regards it does feel like a long time ago, Venus said from Geneva, where he played in the final overnight with his parter Jamie Murray.

‘‘When I think about the seasons and how it’s gone since then, I feel like it’s gone fast and you’re at the end of the year pretty quickly.

‘‘It is pretty special what I’m doing as a job right now and I realise it’s not forever, so I’m trying to maximise what I can and get the most out of it.

‘‘I’m in a really good place where I’m really enjoying it and learning a lot as I go.’’

Doubles specialists can last on

the tour longer than singles players and there are currently six players older than Venus who are ranked above him.

The world No 19 is starting to contemplate what it’s like being at the tail-end of your career and with a young family his priorities have changed, but says he’s still as driven for success.

‘‘I still have very high expectations on myself and what I want to achieve,’’ Venus said.

‘‘But in saying that, I’ve learned along the way that there’s only so much I can control. So as long as I’m doing the things I need to improve and taking care of those areas, then I can walk off the court, put tennis to the side and enjoy things.

‘‘Previously, I was fixated on something for quite a while, but I guess as you get older you can put things in their places and know what you’ve done for the day, then disconnect and do something else.’’ Although they have a base in London, Venus often travels the tennis circuit with his wife, Sally, and their two young children, Lila and Georgia.

Their eldest daughter, Lila, who Venus was forced to be separated from while the New Zealand border was closed during the Covid years, is aged four and has begun to realise that daddy’s job isn’t like other people’s.

‘‘Now she understands that not everyone’s dad plays tennis for a job,’’ he said.

‘‘She knows I play tennis, but I think that’s the extent of it. She’s more than happy when I’m home and not doing anything there.

‘‘I don’t think she cares what I do to be honest, as long as we get to play and do the things she enjoys.’’

Venus teamed up with Murray this year as his regular doubles partner. They started off well together, reaching the final in Adelaide, but then lost first round indoors at the rain-affected ASB Classic in Auckland in front of a handful of people.

Since then they’ve won ATP tournaments in Dallas and Banda Luka.

‘‘It’s been really good, it takes a bit to fully understand another person, how they go about things and not only approach things, but deal with certain situations,’’ he said. ‘‘Now, we’re super clear on those things and we know exactly how to help the other one and what each of us likes to do. It feels like a really good place where we’re at right now.’’