DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Venus Williams is intent on winning more tournaments in 2010 than her two titles last year and plans to start by retaining the Dubai Tennis Championship.
Williams won back-to-back events in Dubai and Acapulco in 2009 but then lost in the final at Wimbledon, Stanford and the season-ending WTA Tour Championship in Doha.
The American has won five Wimbledon titles, the last in 2008, but hasn't won any other major since the 2001 U.S. Open.
"I may not have won many tournaments but I came close to winning a couple of big ones last year," Williams said. "Obviously, I go into each tournament wanting to win. And I am aware that I haven't won a Grand Slam tournament, apart from Wimbledon, for some time."
Williams, seeded third for the Dubai tournament, will be without her younger sister with top-ranked Serena Williams skipping the event due to an injured leg. Second-ranked Dinara Safina of Russia has also withdrawn from the tournament, which starts Monday.
"Obviously, I miss her here and the tournament misses a player as successful as her, but once I step on the court I am completely focused on my game," Williams said. "The field is really strong. Obviously, a couple of top players are missing because of injuries, but the rest of us are playing very good tennis and it should be a fascinating week.
"I am just happy to win last year and I just want to add another title. I am looking forward to getting back on the court."
