A Champion’s Resilience in the Face of Adversity. Love is the Key, Right?

At 45 years old, Venus Williams is still going strong, defying expectations and pushing the boundaries of what is thought possible in the world of professional tennis. Despite health struggles and a return to the sport after a 16-month hiatus, Williams is back on the US circuit, determined to be the best version of herself on and off the court.

In a candid interview, Williams spoke about her journey, revealing that she has been living with fibroids, non-cancerous tumors that develop in and around the uterus, for years. The condition had left her with excruciating symptoms, including pelvic pain and heavy bleeding, and had even forced her to undergo open myomectomy surgery to remove the fibroids and a large focal adenomyoma in her uterus. Williams had been misdiagnosed for years, and it wasn’t until she was able to access the necessary medical care that she was able to receive a clean bill of health.

“I was told I was inoperable,” Williams recalled, “I was told I could bleed to death on the table. I was told to get a surrogate and forget the hope to carry my own children. I was misdiagnosed. I went untreated for years and years and years.”

Williams’ decision to speak out about her experience is part of a larger effort to raise awareness about women’s medical issues and the importance of seeking proper diagnosis and treatment. As she continues to compete on the tennis circuit, Williams is using her platform to shine a light on the often-overlooked struggles faced by women in sports and beyond.

For Williams, the key to her success is her unwavering passion for the sport. “Love is the key, right?” she says, “If you don’t love it, then get out of it. If you can, if you have that luxury, not everyone has that luxury. For me, I think a lot of the motivation for me is just to come back and try to play in the best health that I can.”

Williams’ journey to the top of the tennis world began at a young age. As a 14-year-old, she made her professional tennis debut in Oakland, California, just a few doors down from a Rolling Stones concert. Her first professional tennis match was a testament to her dedication and natural talent, and she went on to become one of the most successful tennis players of all time, with seven Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, and a career-high ranking of number one in the world.

Despite her impressive resume, Williams has never lost sight of her love for the sport. “I never stopped hitting the ball, even when I was away, not as intensely as you would if you were playing tournaments, but I was still going out there,” she said. “And I think that at the end of the day, you have to live your life on your own terms. Your terms should be yours. Doesn’t matter what anyone else says or what anyone else thinks, if you get to live life on your own terms of life, [do] that. And I firmly believe in that.”

As Williams continues to compete on the tennis circuit, she is a reminder that age is just a number, and that with determination and hard work, anything is possible. Her next competitive challenge will be the 22-year-old world No 51 Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro, but for now, she is focused on taking things one match at a time. “I’m very much in the moment,” she said, “I don’t think you should ever rule me out. That’s all I can say.”

For fans and fellow athletes alike, Williams’ story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. As she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, she serves as an inspiration to women and athletes around the world, proof that with hard work and a love for the sport, anything can be achieved.