Venus Williams
Venus Williams
Venus Ebony Starr Williamsis an American professional tennis player, who is a former World No. 1 and is ranked World No. 6 in singles as of July 25, 2016. She has been ranked World No. 1 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association on three occasions, for a total of 11 weeks. She became the World No. 1 for the first time on February 25, 2002, becoming the first black American woman to achieve this feat during the Open Era...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth17 June 1980
CityLynwood, CA
CountryUnited States of America
It's a nice bonus but, you know, I have to pay taxes too. (after winning the Grand Slam Cup.
To be a well-rounded person and know what's going on in the world around you, to have a perspective outside of your sport, is important for every athlete. I'm blessed that our parents gave us that.
I always like to win. But I'm the big sister. I want to make sure she has everything, even if I don't have anything. It's hard. I love her too much. That's what counts.
Some people say I have attitude - maybe I do...but I think you have to.
If you're not a competitor, you've just got to go home.
I don't come to tournaments to make friends, to go to parties, to hold conversations. I come to be the best, and I'm not mean and cruel and dirty.
Serena and I have done some great career planning, and we're playing really at the peak of our tennis right now. I think tennis has been a sport where people play this insane schedule from 14 years old, so of course at 26, it's over. We've really paced ourselves.
I contribute my best in my sport and I also have a ton of respect for myself and my family.
Unfortunately the world is what it is now. People don't get along for whatever reason. As professional athletes, in a way we're almost ambassadors for peace, because sports brings everyone together.
If Id lived prior to the 1980s, it would have been different, because I would have been playing to prove African Americans are equal. Now, I dont necessarily feel I have to play for black people, because obviously theyre doing everything in all sports. If I can go out there and play for myself and not feel I have to stand for something other than what I want to do, thats good.
I don't want to give anyone an edge in my mind. Every time I walk out on the court, I have to feel I'm the best so I can compete well. A lot of times, my chief rival is just me.
In the sports arena I would say there is nothing like training and preparation. You have to train your mind as much as your body.
Of course, I want to be number one. But being happy and healthy is the most important thing.
We're going to try to work on our rankings this fall, ... We both just want to win the match, whether she's playing me or if she's playing someone else.