WIMBLEDON -- The top American women have more on their minds than navigating the grass at the All England Club.
Shortly after a tense 7-6 (3), 6-4 opening-round win against Donna Vekic, Venus Williams shifted her focus to the Olympic Games in Rio.
Recently, a great deal of attention has been directed toward Venus and sister Serena's doubles preparation.
"Yeah, I mean, we've started playing a few matches," Venus said after her match Monday. "We're back in action, which is great news for us. We'll have a chance to really continue to get better. Our goal is to peak in Rio. But both of us on the court is a good combination any time."
The sisters, who have won 13 Grand Slam doubles champions, have secured three gold medals together. In 2012, they topped the podium in London, four years after triumphing in Beijing. In 2000, they won in Sydney.
Venus and Serena have played only two events together this season (2-2 record) but have entered the Wimbledon draw, which will commence later this week.
"Yeah, I think, you know, qualify for the Olympics, [has been] my goal since the Olympics ended in 2012," Venus said. "That's pretty much where I stand."
World No. 9 Madison Keys came away with a double victory of sorts Monday. She sailed through her Wimbledon opener, beating Laura Siegemund in just over an hour and, by advancing, secured her spot in Rio.
"Being an Olympian is huge, huge honor of mine," Keys said. "I'm really, really excited to get to go and play for my country."
Is there any specific athlete she's looking forward to meeting?
"I don't know if it's just one athlete," Keys said. "I think just the whole experience of kind of feeling like it's all Team USA. It's going to be really fun and exciting. Obviously, something that we don't get to do on that level very often. We get Fed Cup, and those are always fun weeks. So multiply that by like 100, and I feel like that's the Olympics."
Like all the players planning on making the trip to Rio, the Williams sisters are aware of the Zika virus concerns.
"I guess there are risks," Venus said. "You can take preventive measures. That's what I'll try my best to do."
Serena shared Venus' sentiments, explaining Saturday that the USTA has sent its players instructions on how to best take precautions.
Nonetheless, the Williams sisters plan on winning more gold in both singles and doubles. As for a mixed-doubles run?
"Yeah, I think the mixed sign in is when you get there," Venus said. "So I imagine it's up to the team captains of both U.S. teams to figure out what that mixed team is. Obviously, we're trying to play for gold. So whatever the captains think is what we'll have to do."