Bank of the West Classic: Venus Williams poised for challenges ahead.

This will be a busy stretch for Venus Williams.

Monday marks the beginning of Wimbledon and the end of the grass court season. The transition to the hard court gets going when Stanford hosts the Bank of the West Classic from July 18-24, a WTA Tour event that launches the Emirates Airline US Open Series.

"I love hard courts," Williams said at a teleconference last week. "A lot of people think my favorite surface is grass, but actually I grew up on hard courts, so I prefer that. I feel right at home on it."

This will be the 13th appearance at the Bank of the West Classic for Williams, who has won the singles title twice and reached seven finals, including in 2004, the first year the event was broadcast from Stanford.

The tournament is basically a tune-up for the US Open, which begins Aug. 29.

"Coming in, of course, you want to come in strong, playing a lot of matches, hopefully winning titles," Williams said. "It gives you confidence going into such a big event as the US Open. But even if you don't win, you're able to hone your game, work through mistakes or chinks in your armor. Unfortunately, as much as you train, there's always something to work on. It gives you the opportunity to figure out, 'What do I need to perfect at this moment in time?' "

Another challenge for Williams is an autoimmune disorder that causes fatigue and joint pain called Sjögren's syndrome, which she was diagnosed with in 2011. But over the years, she's found better ways to manage her health while balancing out her routine.

"Yeah, I mean, of course the first couple years are really tough because there's no road map," Williams said. "There's no one who says, 'This is how you do it, this is how you manage it.' It's challenging. But I've always wanted to rise to the challenge and the occasion. That's not how I see it, as a disadvantage, but a challenge I've had to overcome. I'm always looking for different ways that I can be at my best, whether it's eating, resting, different training regimens, whatever it may be. It's definitely a constant search. I never give up."

This summer there is an added wrinkle with the Rio Olympics in early August.

"The Olympics is such a highlight, but at the same time it's important to play tournaments so you can continue with success on the tour," Williams said. "Also for me it's making sure I have a little bit of a break. This year I've been very successful. I will be starting out with Stanford, Bank of the West, then playing one more event, then heading off to Rio is my plan."

One thing she's already taken care of is her outfit for the Olympics.

"Each and every Olympics it's Wonder Woman as the inspiration," Williams said. "It never changes. Second, trading pins, you know, it's definitely about trading pins, but once you start trading pins, you find out it's about meeting people. That experience of meeting somebody you'll maybe never see again, but the connection you have with them, the joy you have from meeting them, that is the best part of it all. It's an interesting byproduct that you don't expect. Then you have your pins for memories when you look back to remember those times at the Olympics. That's awesome as well."