Venus and Serena are both magnificent champions. They are national treasures, and make me proud to be an American.
6
Another great article, Chris. Go, Venus!
4
Throughout the last two weeks, the Championships at Wimbledon have been filled with highs and lows for numerous players, in both the men's and women's draw. Without Serena Williams in the draw. many women saw a golden opportunity to take a granslam title. And Venus Williams has been able to take full advantage of this draw. While 37 is extremely old in the sport of tennis, Venus has been able to fight against the odds and fight against her weaknesses and arrive at a Grandslam final. Nevertheless, her opponent, Muguruza, is no joke. She has performed at a stellar level througout the tournament and has foudn herself in the final of Wimbledon. In the end, no matter who the winner is, a new champion will be crowned. And the defiance of age speaks on the men's draw as well. Roger Federer, 35, is playing as if he is in his late-twenties; he continues to move remarkably and compete at an extremely high level. On both sides of the draw one lesson has been clearly learned: sometimes age really is just a number. Both individuals have silenced the naysayers and continued to play like the world-class athletes they are.
Sadly, Venus Williams faces more than just one demon this tournament; after being involved in a fatal head-on collision, she has faced a great deal of scrutiny from many reporters. Winning this tournament might make everyone eat there words and accept the fact that these distractions have not made her less of an athlete or tennis played.
Sadly, Venus Williams faces more than just one demon this tournament; after being involved in a fatal head-on collision, she has faced a great deal of scrutiny from many reporters. Winning this tournament might make everyone eat there words and accept the fact that these distractions have not made her less of an athlete or tennis played.
2
Great analysis Joshua with one exception: Venus was not involved in a "head on collision" but was T-boned at an intersection where the passenger riding in the car that hit HER died from his injuries.
3
Best of luck tomorrow Ms. Venus Williams. I hope you win the final but in the truest sense, you have already won. Enjoy your match!!
9
I'm not the biggest tennis fan in the world, but I've loved following Venus and Serena all these years, and I find myself really wanting this title for Venus.
14
Venus is a class act. She lawfully entered a multi-lane intersection on a green light, and while in the middle of the intersection, a car making a left turn failed to yield to traffic and impeded her from progressing through the intersection. While delayed in the middle of the intersection, her light turned red. She had the right to complete the intersection before cross-traffic proceeded on their green. The car that hit Ms. Williams was progressing at full speed, with no caution before entering the intersection on their green. Despite being falsely accused, and unjustly sued, she expressed nothing but sympathy and remorse for the loss of life that occurred during the accident. Venus is not very old at all, but for athletes, the stress of extreme exertion takes a toll on their bodies. The fact that she's in excellent shape speaks to how well she takes care of herself.
21
As a fellow Sjogren's sufferer, I say, Go Venus!
12
Both Venus & Roger are gorgeous players. In a time when expertise & well-earned skills are dismissed as 'elitest' - we are witnessing the value of experience--bigly.
And I wish Venus would discuss her Sjogren's treatment since many who suffer from it could never make it to the Wimbledon Finals, let alone, jog for 30 minutes !
Since prednisone can produce water retension (and Venus looks sinewy)- I doubt that has been the primary medication. Plaquenil can effect eye sight...
Whatever her strategy--kudos! Her demeanor has always been part of her greatness- grace under pressure & joy in the game.
And I wish Venus would discuss her Sjogren's treatment since many who suffer from it could never make it to the Wimbledon Finals, let alone, jog for 30 minutes !
Since prednisone can produce water retension (and Venus looks sinewy)- I doubt that has been the primary medication. Plaquenil can effect eye sight...
Whatever her strategy--kudos! Her demeanor has always been part of her greatness- grace under pressure & joy in the game.
6
One thing that Venus did do as part of her Sjogrens treatment plan was to go mainly vegan, I think Serena did too.
2
Yes, Venus and Roger are the most graceful players I have personally seen play.
4
I'm happy to read how well Venus Williams is playing in the British Open at Wimbledon. The photo with this article show the joy she has for her play, despite Sjogren's Syndrome, her age (with the punishment her sport inflicts on her 37 year old body) & the mental anguish caused by her traffic accident along with the law suit she's facing.
The video shows Ms Williams lawfully entering the intersection, when a car from the on-coming direction made an illegal left turn in front of her, causing her to stop to avoid having a head-on collision. When that car passed & she continued straight, a car to her left plowed into her. Unfortunately, Mr Jerome Barson, a passenger was injured & later died.
Why is it that some commentators believe it's their duty to make negative comments which fly in the face of the facts of Venus's tennis play, her autoimmune disorder & the events surrounding the tragic auto accident? What type of perverse satisfaction do these writers get when they spew their misinformed hatred against Ms Williams, whom they don't know & know nothing true about her? Where's your compassion & joy for her success? Why go so low?
The video shows Ms Williams lawfully entering the intersection, when a car from the on-coming direction made an illegal left turn in front of her, causing her to stop to avoid having a head-on collision. When that car passed & she continued straight, a car to her left plowed into her. Unfortunately, Mr Jerome Barson, a passenger was injured & later died.
Why is it that some commentators believe it's their duty to make negative comments which fly in the face of the facts of Venus's tennis play, her autoimmune disorder & the events surrounding the tragic auto accident? What type of perverse satisfaction do these writers get when they spew their misinformed hatred against Ms Williams, whom they don't know & know nothing true about her? Where's your compassion & joy for her success? Why go so low?
25
During a time where we have to deal with a impetuous child and boor for POTUS, I am heartened to have someone with such maturity, grace and style representing my country and the sport.
GO VENUS!!!!!!!
GO VENUS!!!!!!!
30
How wonderful is it, something in the news to feel really good about!
12
Venus Williams is one of the great athletes of our time and she personifies grace under pressure.
21
Since the beginning, I have always been a Venus fan. I even root for her when she plays Serena -- knowing what the outcome will be. It's a combination of so many things -- her physical stature and ability, her quiet reserve, her role as an older sister, and, now, a fighter despite an autoimmune illness. I live in Arizona and got up early to watch yesterday's match and will be up early tomorrow for the final. If she wins, I know I will cry. Go Venus!
14
My first professional tennis tournament was watching Venus play as a 15-year-old in 1995 in Oakland. A tennis fanatic co-worker suggested I go see this young phenom. I knew very little about tennis (only previous match I had seen was Billie Jean King/Bobby Riggs on TV when I was a kid.) Watching Venus turned me into a life-long tennis fan and I am rooting for her all the way. I feel so lucky that she has continued to play for 22 years and given us so many memorable matches. She is a delight on the court.
11
Good for her! She proves herself on the tennis court! And along with Serena and Roger is evidence that ones athletic abilities do not necessarily go downhill when a person is in their thirties!
9
As 70 looms, I'd give my bad eye for 37. But Venus still looks great. Show them how, girl.
11
Venus is an American hero to millions of women. I congratulate her on her success even if she takes the runner-up trophy.
10
There will never be another American female tennis duo like Venus or Serena Williams.
The Russian and Eastern European female tennis players are the future of the game....AND THEIR COMING!!!!!
The Russian and Eastern European female tennis players are the future of the game....AND THEIR COMING!!!!!
5
Re: "AND THEIR COMING!!!!!"
It is "They're coming" as in they are coming.
It is "They're coming" as in they are coming.
5
Over the past 20+ years, there has been an endless procession of Russian and Eastern European "ponytails" who show enormous potential and never quite live up to it. If just one of them could stand up to the pressure that the Williams sisters routinely deal with, she would rule the world, as the Williams sisters do.
3
Have the copy editors already left? You don't capitalize "syndrome" in Sjogren's syndrome; read your own link. (Only proper nouns/names get capitalized in disease names.)
3
I think her biggest victory will be winning the lawsuit against her because of the West Palm Beach crash she was involved in.
2
I am inspired by anyone considered "age-defying" who is at the pinnacle of their sport. Go Venus go!!!
May I also add, I love the old-school Wimbledon white togs requirement -- it is very refreshing, a palate cleanser in the anything-goes tennis fashion world. Venus looks smashing.
May I also add, I love the old-school Wimbledon white togs requirement -- it is very refreshing, a palate cleanser in the anything-goes tennis fashion world. Venus looks smashing.
17
Go Venus Go. You are Amazing and an inspiration to all.
16
The tennis world owes a tremendous debt to the Williams sisters. Without them, the past decade of women's tennis would have been a long run of cookie-cutter Eastern European women, none of whom had much staying power.
48
Amen!
10
Cool racist comment! Why are Eastern European women automatically cookie cutter? Have you ever heard Venus Williams speak? It isn't as if she is particularly interesting or well rounded.
Roby - they are "cookie cutter" not because of their skin color or their national background, but because they all exhibit the same erratic kind of play (physically gifted, psychologically unready) that, almost always, keeps them from being anything more than promising quarter-finalists. There have been so many that I can no longer keep track of them or tell them apart. (And some of them are American.)
2
Venus belonging to the "older" generation who was taught an allround tennis and learned to master a wide variety of shots demonstrated the superiority of this school, allowing for greater tactical choices. Konta of the "younger" generation who plays mostly a monotonous power tennis found herself very quickly out of options as Venus was able to handle her "sluggers" with her superior technique.
23
Her fight against autoimmune disease, quiet grace, and unassuming persona make her unique among today's glamour-girl athletes. While Ronda Rousey and Lindsey Vonn are more interested in making the cover of a fashion magazine, Venus works only to improve her game and excel.
Venus Williams is the heroine we need!
Venus Williams is the heroine we need!
48
Power through to the finish Venus!
19
Ms. Williams is a fine athlete.
But we're talking about sports.
We're not talking about anything that is really meaningful.
But we're talking about sports.
We're not talking about anything that is really meaningful.
1
Try doing anything in front of millions of opinionated people and see how well you do, then come back and say it is only sport, nothing meaningful.
Sure it isn’t saving the world in any way, but it is an example of courage, grace, the human spirit, physical prowess, mental toughness and determination in the face of physical, emotional, mental and societal barriers.
Sure it isn’t saving the world in any way, but it is an example of courage, grace, the human spirit, physical prowess, mental toughness and determination in the face of physical, emotional, mental and societal barriers.
22
If you don't find the remarkable Wiliams' pursuit of the Wimbledon title meaningful then why did you bother to reply?
Play like a boss Venus!
Play like a boss Venus!
21
Why do you read articles about sports if you think it is 'only' a sport? People like Venus inspire us as human beings and show us what we can accomplish with courage and dedication and determination, despite the odds. These are things which have applicability in all walks of human endeavor from business to science tom even a marriage. We could all do with more of these attributes.
Thank you Venus for your example!
Thank you Venus for your example!
32
Would very much like to see Venus win Wimbledon this year. She's lived in Serena's shadow for a number of years while being very gracious and supportive of her sister and dealing with the autoimmune disease that robs her of energy. Venus is a great tennis player and a win at this time would be like the cherry topping off the whipped cream on the cake.
38
One of the truly great American athletes.
37
Go Venus, go!
17
Pure elegance in motion! Her full twirl saluting the crowd at the end of her winning matches, is her lovely underscoring of a beautiful person. Venus indeed!
41
I love the photo of her in the article. It shows she has the grace of a ballerina. I'm also glad that there was video to prove her innocent in that traffic accident. She and her sister are two of the greatest athletes of my lifetime and I'm 66
68
Both Williams sister are simply astounding. Have watched and enjoyed their play for... is it decades now? Good for Venus.
29
I will be watching and cheering her on tomorrow as much for her play as well as her class.
23
Go Venus and good luck in the Wimbledon Final!
19
What I find disheartening about some of the negative comments regarding Ms. Williams making it into the finals is the catch-22 that people of color encounter: If you don't try then you have met expectations; if you do try and succeed then something has to be wrong with how you did it.
I'll admit that I was one of the tennis fans who years ago thought Venus should retire but admired her determination to keep playing despite losing to players with less talent, but she soldiered on. Now she has finally come out of the wilderness towards a measure of success that should be applauded.
Honest criticism I welcome, but to throw out these straw man accretions against one of the nicest most hardworking tennis players in the tour is just plain wrong. Play on Ms. Williams because you have demonstrated you are the type of person we all should admire as we struggle with the things and people that would diminish us!!
I'll admit that I was one of the tennis fans who years ago thought Venus should retire but admired her determination to keep playing despite losing to players with less talent, but she soldiered on. Now she has finally come out of the wilderness towards a measure of success that should be applauded.
Honest criticism I welcome, but to throw out these straw man accretions against one of the nicest most hardworking tennis players in the tour is just plain wrong. Play on Ms. Williams because you have demonstrated you are the type of person we all should admire as we struggle with the things and people that would diminish us!!
70
Remember that Arthur Ashe...as classy as they come...also endured some of the same stuff that these sisters had to endure. Its part of America...its always been part of America. The sisters story is as incredible a sports story as it gets.
17
Hard working and ever graceful. I am very happy for her!
13
I remember watching Venus winning her first Wimbledon 17 years ago (3 and 6 over Lindsay Davenport). She was majestic/imposing then as she is today. But Muguruza is not going to want to lose to two Williamses in two Wimbledon finals so it's going to be tough for Venus (and hopefully a good match). Both players are wonderful to watch especially on grass and it's going to be power tennis at its best (hopefully).
7
The Williams sisters and their mother have handled themselves with class and style under a lot of pressure. These are level headed women who have represented their sport well.
27
Maybe being single strengthen Venus ? Because when female athletes get married and have children, many try the "come back" but soon withdraw ! Go Venus !
3
Go Venus! So proud to share a birthday with you! Ignore all the racists haters! Slay Queen Slay!!!!
15
I'm so thrilled for Venus. A class act and true champion. Her level of tennis and focus has been extraordinary to watch. I don't think Muguruza stop her from making history on Saturday.
9
At it's heart, tennis at this level is about courage and composure. Venus began sobbing at the Wimbledon press conference where the lethal accident was voiced. She left the press room and returned completely composed. Likewise stroking an explosive second serve with a break point against you requires extraordinary courage and composure. Physically Venus' return to the highest level of tennis brings to mind Ben Hogan's return to the PGA after his physicians told him he would never walk again. Players play in pain, but playing with unpredictable fatigue at this level would seem an accomplishment for the ages. May God bless you in your efforts on Sunday Venus. You are defining what Hemingway called, "grace under pressure."
23
She's playing on Saturday, not Sunday! Don't want a fellow Venus fan to miss the match! Go Venus Go!
4
Thanks Isabella. My oversight/rushed edit won't get into anyone's way. Enjoy the final.
4
Glad to see Venus performing so well, especially after struggling with a tough disease and after being falsely accused in the driving accident.
13
Venus Williams has always been a class act, on and off the court. She is a tremendous role model for any young woman. I will be rooting for her to win as always. Her talent and grace under pressure has already made her a champion many times over.
12
I'm rooting for Venus! My daughter is one of many whose life has been sidelined by an autoimmune disorder and so kudos to Venus for working so hard.
12
I am so proud of this gracious champion that some folks have said so many mean things about. Both Venus and Serena are very nice people and excellent athletes. Haters need to take a seat and get a life. I'm pulling for you to come back into your full glory, Venus. You go, gurl!!
11
The strength and beauty and grace of the Williams sister has been a 20 year voyage of joy and inspiration. I hope they keep going for another 20.
9
There's no such thing as "defying age." When you see athletes doing things that no humans have done before, like winning a modern era Wimbledon at the age of 37, there is only one explanation: PEDs.
Gawd what an ugly thing to say. Two decades on tour. Four Olympics. A health problem, very publicly announced. All the testing that goes along with that. Nary a whisper of suspicion raised by other players, their coaches, their families, their supporters, the tennis associations.
You going to accuse Roger of the same thing if he's going strong next year? You going to accuse Agassi of the same thing since he was competing strong at that age? How about Ken Rosewall, at age 37 reaching the finals of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open at a time when the only form of PED was hoisting a few brews after a match?
Maybe there's no such thing as defying age. But there is something called being a jerk, and you stand accused and convicted by your own words.
You going to accuse Roger of the same thing if he's going strong next year? You going to accuse Agassi of the same thing since he was competing strong at that age? How about Ken Rosewall, at age 37 reaching the finals of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open at a time when the only form of PED was hoisting a few brews after a match?
Maybe there's no such thing as defying age. But there is something called being a jerk, and you stand accused and convicted by your own words.
1
The first two articles that I read this morning were this one and Karen Crouse's column on Lexi Thompson and her mom. Such a treat that women's sports is front and center today. I'm looking froward to watching Wimbledon tomorrow morning followed by the US Open in the afternoon.
7
Win or lose the final what a great champion she is for all.
8
I'm a longtime fan. Great player, overcame serious health problems, AND she doesn't scream with every racket stroke. Her play here is even more awesome considering that it follows a tragic accident which left one person dead and for which Ms. Williams was initially blamed. The revised account absolves Ms. Williams, but I won't forget, and probably neither will she, that initial police statements about the accident said, "Venus this . . ." and "Venus that . . .". A male athlete, even a male athlete of color - ANY male - would have been referred to by the police as "Mr.", given their fondness for referring to ax murderers and serial killers as "Mr. Soandso" and "the gentleman". This is on a par with Saudi Arabia, where women aren't permitted to drive, and approaches the Ferengi attitude toward females.
14
She is a role model for all of us!
8
Enjoying Wimbledon while her lawyers settle her reklssness back home?
5
What an obnoxious misrepresentation of the facts! She did not cause that accident, and it was not her fault. There is a video. Mean-spirited and wrong as well.
She went slowly through a green light, had to pause for someone coming the other say and turning across in front of her, while the light changed.
The other car, driven by the wife, came barreling through their green light without apparently noticing there was a car stuck in front of her.
I'm tempted to think you condemn her because she was DWB (driving while black) and has made a success of her life. I see a lot of that (DWB).
She went slowly through a green light, had to pause for someone coming the other say and turning across in front of her, while the light changed.
The other car, driven by the wife, came barreling through their green light without apparently noticing there was a car stuck in front of her.
I'm tempted to think you condemn her because she was DWB (driving while black) and has made a success of her life. I see a lot of that (DWB).
150
Having to drive a lot to care for my aging family, I see a lot of distracted driving (particularly phones, so dangerous). There is no excuse for broadsiding a car stuck in an intersection right in front of you just because your light has turned green. And that's what was done to Venus. Wanting to "make her pay" doesn't change the facts and I am thankful that there is video evidence.
112
Wow, even when she enters an intersection on a green light she gets called "reckless"? I hope if that ever happens to me that people will be kinder.
26
Venus Williams is lovely admirable woman, such a beautiful heart.
69
Everyone is talking about Venus' resurgence as one of the greatest sporting miracles of all time. Well, before this one of the greatest feel-good miracle stories in sports was that of Lance Armstrong. One thing Venus and Lance also happen to have in common is the use of "TUE's," therapeutic use exemptions. A hack revealed Venus had been granted TUEs over several years for a variety of corticosteroids. Not illegal. They can be used to treat muscle inflammation. But they also happen to give one boundless energy to play and train pain free, which is why they are banned except for specific temporary injuries. Many experts concerned about doping in sports have called for banning TUEs entirely because of how they have become a pretext to enable legal doping. Remember how Roger Clemens' fastball suddenly went from around 88 mph up to 95 or so late in his career? And how everyone marvelled at how age-defying he was?
6
You need to have some background medical knowledge before you venture into this sort of speculation. Treatment for Sjogrens syndrome includes corticosteroids such as prednisone. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation by dampening the bodies immune response - they might relieve some pain associated with injuries but these are CATABOLIC (break down) not ANABOLIC (build up) steroids. Yes people may FEEL manic on high doses, but they cause muscle wasting and impair the bodies ability to modulate blood levels of glucose - they don't aid in recovery and in fact impair your body's ability to repair damaged muscle. They cause osteoporosis and put people at risk for fractures. They are the last drugs you want to take if you are engaged in high level athletic competition - they will have an overall negative effect on performance. In contrast, Armstrong, Clemens and all the other Olympic cheaters use ANABOLIC steroids, androgen derivatives. Kudos to Venus Williams for being at the top of her game in spite of dealing with an autoimmune disease that would have prompted many athletes to retire from professional sports.
171
Another wrong 'un.
Venus has Sjogren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder. She cannot survive without medications.
Shame on you!
Venus has Sjogren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder. She cannot survive without medications.
Shame on you!
97
I agree with the OP. If you are so ill you need to take medications that are banned by WADA then you should not be allowed to play. There should be no TUE exceptions and players should have to take sufficient time off after stopping the use of any legally used banned drugs (like a year or two). This makes it fair for all players.
2
Lovely piece about a quality player and champion. Thanks. Go Venus!
86
A winner for the world and all the ages. So beautiful to watch.
79
But really, I'm just thrilled to see her healthy and playing so very very well. (And best of luck to Ms. Muguruza - she's going to need it :-) )