Williams' book discusses sports as an inspiration

Venus Williams is more than just a tennis player.

The world's No. 2-ranked women's singles player (her sister Serena is No. 1) owns a fashion line called Eleven. She's the chief executive officer of her interior design firm, V Starr Interiors. Williams also is part of the ownership group of the Miami Dolphins. And on June 29, while she competes in Wimbledon, her book, Come to Win, will be released.

"I enjoy being busy," said Williams, who will compete at Villanova on July 8 in a World TeamTennis match when her Washington Kastles face the Freedoms. Williams was traded from Philadelphia to Washington in February.

"Come to Win is a book that really is near to me because it is about the difference that sports make in lives," she said Monday in a conference call with reporters. "Not only for a professional athlete like me, but for people who play sports [for fun]: the attitude that it creates, the positivity and success, how you take the lessons that you learn on the court or on the field, and how you apply them through your life."

Her book is a collection of memoirs from successful people who did not play at the Olympic or professional level. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are among the contributors.

Williams' ability to write and perform on the tennis court have been overshadowed by an outfit she wore last month at the French Open. Instead of a traditional tennis skirt, she played in a black corset-style lingerie outfit that she designed.

It is still a hot topic. Williams enjoys the discussions because it means that people are talking about her fashion line.

"The outfit is my design," she said. "I put a lot of hard work and thought into what I am wearing on the court. The fact that people like it and enjoy it, it's definitely rewarding for me."

Williams plans to unveil new outfits at Wimbledon and at the U.S. Open in August.