Kiwi tennis ace Michael Venus looks forward to competing at Roland Garros after winning last year's doubles title. Video / Matt Brown
In a few days' time, New Zealand doubles player Michael Venus will set foot on the hallowed grounds of Roland Garros in southwestern Paris for the first time since his remarkable Grand Slam triumph in June last Year.
Since that French Open doubles win with American partner Ryan Harrison, Venus has consolidated his place inside the world's top 20 and will head from his base in London this week across the Channel ranked 14th or 15th in the world.
Playing with South African veteran Raven Klaasen this year, the pair has had some solid if unspectacular results.
They've claimed one ATP doubles title in Marseille in February and have reached quarterfinals at Masters 1000 tournaments in Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid.
They are 8th in the race to the ATP World Tour Finals but will need to go deep in at least one of the remaining Grand Slams to have a realistic chance of qualifying.
For Venus, it's a partnership that is still developing which takes time.
Michael Venus and Ryan Harrison celebrate victory with the French Open trophy. Photo / Getty Images
"We have played solid and had some chances in the bigger tournaments but unfortunately have been a couple of points short each time," Venus said.
"But we have got through some matches against some good teams also, so we have got some confidence but also some things we need to iron out this week before the start of the French Open."
While Venus is experiencing a kind of nervous excitement about the prospect of returning to the scene of a triumph that could justifiably define his career, he's doing his best to remain grounded.
" I think no matter what tournament you have played, any time you are back there you have a bit more confidence just feel good from previous matches there and what you've achieved.
"I am looking forward to being back there, obviously, it's a new tournament this year and everyone's eying this up.
"So we are going to have to play well and we will give it a go." Venus said.
Ryan Harrison of The United States (L) and partner Michael Venus of New Zealand (R) celebrate victory in the mens doubles final match. Photo / Getty Images
Venus will be accompanied in Paris by his fiancée Sally but his mum Liz who timed her trip to Europe to perfection last year to witness her son's Grand Slam triumph, won't be courtside due to work commitments in New Zealand.
Venus who has opted not to stay in the same hotel in order to be closer to his doubles partner Klaasen says he will still try to replicate a number of things from last year.
"I will still go through the same routines, the same practice processes and little things and look forward to making some new memories this year."
Fellow Kiwi Artem Sitak and his Dutch doubles partner Wesley Koolhof will be in action in the week leading up to Roland Garros.
Sitak and Koolhof have been drawn against American Scott Lipsky and Spaniard David Marrero in the first round of the Geneva ATP tournament.
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