Tiger Woods' girlfriend Lindsey Vonn fired warning to her opponents as she promised to return strong after a long layoff following her second knee surgery.
Vonn said in an interview with the New York Times that her competitors are feeling comfortable over the past several months, but she insisted that things will change once she makes her comeback later this year.
"A lot of people don't think I will be back, that's fine," Vonn said. "The other girls are probably feeling pretty comfortable without me out there. When I do come back, I think they'll see that they can't be comfortable anymore. It's a new generation coming up, but they'll definitely realize that the veteran is not gone quite yet."
Vonn failed to defend her Olympic downhill race title at the 2014 Sochi Olympics after tearing her ACL again while training for her defense. The second major knee surgery was more severe than the first one as she also sustained torn meniscus in her knee after forcing to race despite having a torn ACL.
Learning a lesson from her previous mistake, Tiger Woods' girlfriend Lindsey Vonn said that she won't rush her return this time, saying that she will not compete until December or even until early next year depending on how her knee will hold up in the upcoming months.
"I feel like that's enough time to get ready, but you never know," Vonn said. "If I'm not ready, I can back off. I don't have to push myself into anything. I have time."
Vonn also insisted that while age could slow her down over the next several years, her ultimate goal is to compete again in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea because she wants to reclaim her downhill race crown.
"I need to have another chance to defend my Olympic gold medal in the downhill," Vonn said. "I knew that in January as soon as I mentally accepted that I couldn't race in the Sochi Olympics. I want another chance to compete."
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee announced that Vonn will serve as an ambassador for the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in Norway in February 2016.
Vonn, who also served as an ambassador during the inaugural edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games, expressed excitement over the opportunity to share her experience with young athletes.
"It is amazing to be back for more Youth Olympic action," Tiger Woods' girlfriend said. "Innsbruck 2012 was such an inspirational event, not just to the young athletes there, but also for the kids watching. It showcases, in a totally unique way, how much fun and excitement there is in winter sports."