The prospect of playing in the Olympic Games is a new and exciting concept for many tennis players, however, for Venus Williams it is a regular occurrence.
This year the 35-year-old has the chance to become the first female tennis player in history to play in five consecutive Olympic Games. Since the start of her Olympic career in the 2000 Sydney Games, Williams has claimed four gold medals (one in singles and three in doubles). This year she will be bidding to win the women’s doubles gold medal for the third successive time.
“It means everything to me; the Olympics have always meant so much,” Williams was quoted by the Post and Courier as saying.
“It’s been a joy and an honor to be part of it. It’s just been icing on the cake with a cherry on top to be able to bring home some medals.”
Williams Olympic achievements places her joint first with her sister Serena in the all-time list of tennis players with the most gold medals. World No.25 Sloane Stephens have praised Williams’ Olympic record. Stephens is currently in a battle for an Olympic spot. The American No.4 is ranked 11 places higher than the next American, Coco Vandeweghe. Only the top four Americans will qualify for Rio.
“Venus is a beast,” Stephens said. “That’s awesome. For me to play in one Olympics, that would totally be fine. But for her to play in five, that’s like … I don’t even know. She’s not even human.”
Besides her Olympic aspirations, Williams also spoke about her health. In 2011 she revealed that she has Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder where the white blood cells attack the salivary and tear glands, leading to dry mouth and eyes because the body’s tear and saliva production is reduced. Despite her daunting diagnoses five-years-ago, it has done little to slow down the seven-time Grand Slam champion.
“It’s been almost five years and it’s something you live with everyday, but it’s something that I conquer everyday I like to think”. She Told Tennis Atlantic.
“Conquering it is doing your best and not living in fear”.
This week, Williams is playing at the Charleston Open, a tournament which she won back in 2004. Seeded third in the tournament, she will start her campaign against Alison Riske on Wednesday.
