 "Venus Williams, 38")
The United States Open tennis tournament may have been the event that brought names like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios to New York City, but it was badminton that brought them to the 4th annual Palace Invitational, a trio of matches where the tennis stars tried their hand at the sport.
Each of the players, along with Mischa Zverev and his brother, Alexander “Sascha” Zverev, also competing in the US Open, spoke at the event about their travel essentials, the destinations they’ve visited that most surprised them, and even offered a few tips for better sleep on airplanes. Here are their answers, lightly edited.
Rafael Nadal, 32
The one thing you rely on to get through your hectic travel schedule
It helps a lot too have my family, friends and girlfriend around me. They make me feel less homesick.
Your advice to anyone who travels as much as you do (or wants to)
When you’re travelling, there are always issues that can happen so you need to be relaxed and understand that sometimes things won’t go perfectly. There can be delays, for example. For me, catching flight connections can be a problem, and I can get annoyed, but when I stay calm, I feel less bothered by what’s going on.
Tips for how to sleep well on a plane
I don’t sleep on planes. Well, not very often.
The most surprising destination you’ve ever visited? Or your favourite destination?
The Exumas in the Bahamas are my favourite. The colours of the water and the islands are beautiful. I am from a very beautiful island myself [Mallorca], but every time I visit the Exumas — and I’ve been a couple of times — I’m surprised by their beauty.
Venus Williams, 38
The one thing you rely on to get through your hectic travel schedule
Books. I am an ebook reader because I don’t want to travel with any extra weight. I read a lot of fantasy books. I am a big kid. Right now, I am not reading anything. I need suggestions!
Each of the players, along with Mischa Zverev and his brother, Alexander “Sascha” Zverev, also competing in the US Open, spoke at the event about their travel essentials, the destinations they’ve visited that most surprised them, and even offered a few tips for better sleep on airplanes. Here are their answers, lightly edited.
Rafael Nadal, 32
The one thing you rely on to get through your hectic travel schedule
It helps a lot too have my family, friends and girlfriend around me. They make me feel less homesick.
Your advice to anyone who travels as much as you do (or wants to)
When you’re travelling, there are always issues that can happen so you need to be relaxed and understand that sometimes things won’t go perfectly. There can be delays, for example. For me, catching flight connections can be a problem, and I can get annoyed, but when I stay calm, I feel less bothered by what’s going on.
Tips for how to sleep well on a plane
I don’t sleep on planes. Well, not very often.
The most surprising destination you’ve ever visited? Or your favourite destination?
The Exumas in the Bahamas are my favourite. The colours of the water and the islands are beautiful. I am from a very beautiful island myself [Mallorca], but every time I visit the Exumas — and I’ve been a couple of times — I’m surprised by their beauty.
Venus Williams, 38
The one thing you rely on to get through your hectic travel schedule
Books. I am an ebook reader because I don’t want to travel with any extra weight. I read a lot of fantasy books. I am a big kid. Right now, I am not reading anything. I need suggestions!
Venus Williams, 38
