Williams sisters stretch it out with yoga treat for fans

Serena Williams is looking forward to getting back to competing when the coronavirus pandemic permits it, in part because she's "feeling better than ever".

Her older sister, Venus, is looking forward to hanging out at a rooftop bar.

Two of the most famous and successful siblings in the history of sports－owners of a combined 30 Grand Slam titles in singles and an additional 14 in doubles as a pair－shared those thoughts and more after doing yoga together on Tuesday during an online session that offered workout tips and some laughs.

All professional tennis tournaments are on hold at least until mid-July because of the pandemic. The French Open, for example, was postponed from May to September, while Wimbledon was canceled for the first time in 75 years.

Under normal circumstances, the Williams sisters might have been in action this week at the Italian Open, a clay-court tuneup for Roland Garros.

"I really look forward to getting back on the court. It's what I do best. I absolutely love playing," Serena said. "But this break is... a necessary evil. I felt like my body needed it, even though I didn't want it. And now I'm feeling better than ever. I'm feeling more relaxed, more fit. Now I'm just like: Now I can go out and play real tennis."

Elder sister Venus, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, began posting workouts on Instagram Live eight weeks ago and this week she invited Serena－"the greatest tennis player to ever exist, my little sister"－to share a yoga-inspired stretching session.

Serena said the exercises, which took about half an hour, served as a warm-up for her, even though they were "a little intense".

"Do not injure yourself doing this," she admonished during one lunge, while advising at another point: "If you have bad knees, like me, use a pad."

Asked by her sister what she's excited about when life returns to normal, Venus replied: "I like to go out and I just want to be on top of a rooftop bar with champagne in my hand and ... just having a good time, dancing."

In the meantime, fans who want to know how to flex and stretch like a champ got the chance to watch along as Serena led the session, chatting along the way.

Venus joined her on a nearby yoga mat, following the same routine and occasionally showing modified versions.

Meanwhile, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has said it is working on additional measures to support lower-ranked professionals who have been left in the lurch due to coronavirus-forced shutdown of the sport.

Earlier this month, the ITF, ATP, WTA and the governing bodies of the four Grand Slams raised over $6 million to help about 800 lower-ranked players.

The ITF said its new measures will include a relief fund to help tour players ranked between 501 and 700, and are not covered under other relief programs.

Agencies Via Xinhua