Do you know Venus Williams?

by tennis_psych

2011 translated into 20EleVen for Venus Williams’ fans. The "Veelievers" of TennisForum thought this year would be Venus' for the taking, especially after she earned the #2 spot in the WTA rankings in the middle of the 2010 season. The Australian Open called for a fantastical battle suit, bright, shimmery, shiny colors of blue and yellow. That campaign came to an end because of injury. A win at Wimbledon would have been consolation but that was prevented by another loss at 2 and 3 to Tsvetana Pironkova.

No worries, Venus fans are resilient and have endured droughts before and were willing to ride it out with their favorite player.

Moving on. Venus won her first round at the US Open convincingly, a surprise after such year of minimal play. Some time before the second round encounter would have begun against Sabine Lisicki, she suddenly pulled out. What in the world was wrong with Venus Williams this time? 

I wondered if it was the knee again, or did she tweak anything? I definitely didn’t consider her exercise induced asthma or her well documented anemia because within those bounds she seemed fine. Turned out that an autoimmune disease known as Sjögren's Syndrome was the culprit. By definition, Sjögren's is a disorder of the immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth (MayoClinic) but other symptoms appear to have impacted Venus's playing ability the most. There is the joint pain associated with the condition, which may explain her knee troubles and maybe her recurrent wrist injuries. There is also the prolonged fatigue, which can obviously be a major hamper to a tennis player. The syndrome can be treated but not cured and medication must be taken for a period of 3 to 6 months before the symptoms will subside.

Is this the golden answer to an injury-filled year?

Hearing of those symptoms makes the mind wonder. Maybe Sjögren's syndrome was to blame for some weird losses. Fans reminisce on times where Venus seemed to lack energy, move and react slower and look as if she was pushing herself around the court. Of course we can try and figure out which matches she played that the syndrome may have affected her. The 2007 US Open Quaterfinal and the 2010 Australian Open 4^th round both come to mind. She seemed to have had the energy taken from her in the 2007 match and was absolutely three steps slower than ever in the 2010 match.

But that is the past. Venus is still one of the best at 31 years old and can play better than a huge percentage of the WTA Tour. Do you know Venus Williams? If so, you know never to count her out!

She is the six-foot-one, ebony goddess of the WTA tour and seven-time grand slam singles champion (Twenty-one Grand Slam Titles altogether) that, along with her sister, brought tons of athleticism into the game of professional women’s tennis. Legs and arms reaching into two different galaxies, the foot speed and the power of a lioness who thundered through the game with confidence. What do you remember most of Venus? What do you think of when you hear of the Williams Sisters? “Beads!!!”- The answer of casual tennis fans. They’ve passed that point, geez! Venus has grown into a powerful woman, not only in tennis but in business, becoming recognized more for her silent intensity and perseverance in contrast with the borderline arrogant 17 year old that stunned the tennis world at the 1997 US Open.  

The most gold medals of any tennis player to date; the most Wimbledon singles titles of her generation, she has provided the women’s game much needed excitement. Showcasing her fight and determination to come through matches to be the victor when she was down was routine and she’s respected because she’s proven herself as a champion. She is solidified. She has become an inspiration for many. Tennis fans love the aura of Venus Williams, even though many never see her in person, one can tell there is something extra about that woman.

Venus has had an illustrious career and has had injuries along the way, which superstar athlete hasn’t? Complications with her wrists, an abdominal injury, exhaustion, viral illnesses, knee injuries, and familial tragedies, she has continued onto the court as a warrior. She’s battled the competition and silenced her naysayers once before, so what is Sjogren ’s syndrome compared to Venus Williams…nothing! Once in full health, she’ll show one more time why she is “The F***ing Venus Williams” (Irina Spirlea’s quote, not mine).

Venus Williams: She'll be back.