Tennis star Venus Williams was wearing a broad smile when she went for a walkabout in the Turkish city of Istanbul this week. And the statuesque athlete had reason to be in a positive mood, because she has been on dazzling form while competing in the Istanbul Cup.
The 24-year-old, who was wearing a simple floral dress, tried on jewellery and sampled some local delicacies as she strolled around the city's Grand Bazaar with her mother Oracene. Her trip to the famous marketplace came just after she dispatched Spain's Marta Marrero 6-0 6-0 to win a place in the quarter finals of the annual competition.
Those who have previously visited Istanbul will understand why Venus looks forward to visiting each year. Steeped in history, the city is thought to be the world's oldest metropolis as it has been a major population centre for over 2,500 years. Down through the centuries its residents have seen the Persian, Ottoman and Roman empires rise and fall.
A trip to the 14th-century Galata Tower gives holiday-makers a chance take in its skyline and the entrance to the Black Sea, while the majestic Hippodrome and Blue Mosque are equally spectacular. It is the Haghia Sophia mosque, located just by the city's Sultanahmet Square, that makes the biggest impression, though - many architects consider it the world's most beautiful religious building.
Photo: Rex
Photo: Rex
