The end may be near for Venus Williams' pro tennis career. That's an incontrovertible fact. The skill remains, but Venus' debilitating Sjogren's Disease has sapped her of energy and training time. On Sunday, Williams fell to Urszula Radwanska, the 37th ranked player in the world. The clay court has never been Venus' strong suit. She's only reached one French Open Final in her career and that one was to her sister Serena in 2001. However, Sunday was a first round loss. That hasn't happened since she was rocking beads and braids.
Venus has been a trooper, though. Despite her declining skills and health, Williams isn't throwing in the towel on her illustrious career yet.
Via New York Times:
“With what I’ve gone through, it’s not easy,” she said. “But I’m strong and I’m a fighter. You know, I don’t think I’m just playing for me now. I think I’m playing for a lot of people who haven’t felt well. I think for me today it’s a positive to be able to play three hours. I’m constantly finding ways to get better and to feel better.”
She mentioned that every player eventually retires but that she wasn’t yet ready to give up.
“I wouldn’t just give up just because it was difficult,” Williams said. “That’s not me. So my thing is that I’m going to keep continue trying.
“I had a very challenging year last year, but I had many successes, as well. So I’m continuing to look forward to more successes.”
