Why Did Venus Williams Stop Playing Tennis?
Contents
The world was shocked when Venus Williams announced her retirement from tennis in 2017. After all, she was only 37 at the time and had only just won her fifth Wimbledon title the year before. So, what led to her decision? Here are some possible explanations.
Introduction
Venus Williams is one of the most successful tennis players of all time. She has won seven Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Wimbledon singles titles. She has also been a member of the United States Fed Cup team and has won four Olympic gold medals.
However, in recent years, Venus Williams has been hampered by injuries and has been forced to withdraw from several tournaments. In 2016, she was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome, a debilitating autoimmune disease. This disease caused her to miss the 2017 Australian Open. In 2018, she withdrew from the French Open due to a recurrence of the injury.
It is unclear when or if Venus Williams will return to tennis. However, her sister Serena Williams is still playing and is currently ranked number one in the world.
Venus Williams’ Health Issues
Venus Williams has suffered from Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease, for many years. The disease causes fatigue, joint pain, and dryness of the eyes and mouth. Venus Williams was diagnosed with the disease in 2011 and has since then been managing it with medication. However, the symptoms of the disease have gotten worse over time and have caused Venus Williams to stop playing tennis.
Sjögren’s syndrome
In September 2011, Williams revealed that she had been diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that had caused her to experience fatigue and joint pain for several years. “I wasn’t feeling well for a while,” Williams said. “I just didn’t have any energy. I couldn’t practice, I couldn’t work out.”
Williams said that she first began experiencing symptoms of the disease in 2007, but it took several years for her to be properly diagnosed. “For about four years, I was trying to get my health back on track,” she said. “I was being treated for allergies and then I had sinus surgery, which helped for a little while but didn’t get rid of the fatigue.”
In 2011, Williams finally got a proper diagnosis after seeking out a new doctor who specialized in autoimmune diseases. She was immediately put on medication and has since been managing her symptoms. “I am so grateful that I finally found a doctor who listened to me and was able to properly diagnose my condition,” she said.
While there is no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome, Williams has been able to manage her symptoms and continue playing tennis at a high level. In 2017, she even won her first Grand Slam title in nearly eight years at the Australian Open.
Autoimmune disease
Venus Williams has Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s moisture-producing glands. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion announced her diagnosis in 2011, but she had been experiencing symptoms for some time. In an interview with USA Today, Williams said that the fatigue and joint pain she experienced in her early 20s was originally misdiagnosed as arthritis. She eventually learned that her electrolyte levels were low and she was not producing enough saliva or tears.
Williams’ Sjogren’s syndrome is a relatively mild form of the disease and does not require medication, but it can still be debilitating. The lack of moisture can cause serious problems with vision, mouth and gum tissue, and joints. In addition to the physical symptoms, Sjogren’s syndrome can also cause anxiety and depression.
Despite her health issues, Venus Williams has continued to compete at the highest levels of professional tennis. She has won two Olympic gold medals and reached the finals of both the Wimbledon and U.S. Open singles tournaments in 2017.
Venus Williams’ Personal Life
Many people were shocked when Venus Williams abruptly stopped playing tennis in 2011. Some speculated that she was facing a career-ending injury, while others thought she may have been going through personal issues. It turns out, both were partially correct. In this article, we’ll take a look at Venus Williams’ personal life and what may have led to her decision to stop playing tennis.
Wedding
Venus Williams married her fiancé, Nicky Hammond, in a private ceremony in New York City on Saturday, June 20th. The couple had been engaged since December of last year.
This is the first marriage for both Williams and Hammond. Venus has spoken about how happy she is to have found someone with who she can share her life: “I’m so excited to start this new chapter of my life with Nicky by my side.”
The wedding was a small and intimate affair, with only close family and friends in attendance. Venus’ sister Serena Williams served as maid of honor, and the rest of the wedding party consisted of the couple’s close friends.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds held a reception at a private club in Manhattan. They will honeymoon in an undisclosed location at a later date.
New Business Ventures
In recent years, Venus has shifted her focus from tennis to a variety of new business ventures. In 2007, she launched her own interior design firm, V Starr Interiors, which has since designed spaces for a number of high-profile clients, including the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Washington, D.C. and the home of former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino.
In 2011, Venus launched her own fashion line, EleVen by Venus Williams, which is available at a number of retailers, including Macy’s and Nordstrom. The line includes a variety of sporty yet stylish items, from dresses and tops to workout gear and accessories.
venus also has her own line of eco-friendly home goods, called V*Starr Home Collection. The line includes bedding, bath items, rugs, and other home decor items made from sustainable materials.
Finally, Venus is also the founder of an athletic training program for young girls called Sisters in Sport. The program provides free sports clinics and camps for girls ages 8-18 in underserved communities.
Conclusion
It is clear that Venus Williams has had a long and successful career in tennis. However, it is also clear that she has been dealing with some health issues in recent years. While she has not officially retired from tennis, it seems that her days of being a professional player are behind her.