"We slept through the first practice": Venus Williams looks back at first French Open in 1997

Former World No.1 Venus Williams was caught reminiscing about her first Roland Garros (French Open) experience in 1997, with that Major being her first tournament outside the United States.

The WTA icon engaged with fans in a Q&A session on social media, answering several questions posed by fans. When asked about her first tournament overseas, Williams responded by stating it was the French Open in 1997 which was also her maiden Grand Slam appearance.

"First tournament outside the USA was the French Open which is happening now. I was 16 years old, it was my first Grand Slam, my tournament outside the US. I remember we got there and we were jet-lagged, so we slept through the first practice. The second practice we got a wake-up call so that we wouldn't miss our car, Serena and I," said Williams on her Instagram story.

Williams won her first Grand Slam match at the French Open by defeating Japan's Naoko Sawamatsu. However, she suffered a second round defeat to Nathalie Tauziat.