20 years at Open, Venus still

Venus Williams has two goals — to get another U.S. Open crown and to have a healthy new niece.

For the first time since 2010, Williams is here without her record-setting sister Serena, who is in the final stages of pregnancy. She speaks to Serena every day — about tennis and more.

“It’s definitely a different experience, especially for she and I, because we spent our whole lives focused, so focused on work,’’ Venus said. “So when you have an experience that is not work, it’s pretty intense. That’s all we do, is work and train and focus. It’s a completely different experience for both us.’’

When Venus made her first appearance at the U.S. Open 20 years ago, her Monday opponent, Viktoria Kuzmova, hadn’t been born.

The 19-year-old qualifier making her Grand Slam main-draw debut still stole a set from the 37-year-old Williams, the oldest player in the draw.

“I had no idea what she looked like, who she was,’’ Venus said. “Definitely wasn’t expecting or planning on dropping sets today.’’

Williams, who advanced to the Wimbledon finals, rallied in the third to get to the second round with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, on the stadium court she helped usher in back in 1997.

“It’s been a beautiful 20 years,’’ Venus said in her post-match interview. “I love this game — that’s why I’m still here. I don’t know if there will be 20 more but I’m going to enjoy this year.”

Asked if she is now looking at retirement after this year, Venus said, “We’ll see. I have no plans. Zero.’’

“If I win my matches, I’ll be No. 1 or No. 9 or No. 2, whatever number, but I would have won my match,’’ Venus said.