This year’s US Open has started off with a lot of hustle and bustle with new and upcoming talent challenging the old era. However, the tennis realm has not forgotten about its legends. Venus Williams has still stuck through and is going strong with her ambitions on the court. But that does not mean that she and the US Open miss one of its stalwarts who bid it farewell last year- Serena Williams. To participate without her sister on the court, knowing that she would not be back again, made Venus think about a thing or two.
The last time this happened was in 2017 when Venus reached the US Open semi-finals. Serena had just given birth to Olympia, so she was out of the major. Starting off her US Open swing without Serena by her side, the elder Williams sister focused on the presence of her sister’s zeal, rather than her absence.
Venus Williams on coping with the absence of sister Serena Williams at the US Open
Venus might be the aging out for playing pro but the 43-year-old is still going strong. Her love for the sport and her consistent stamina have led her back to chasing her undying dreams. Even though Venus Williams unfortunately crashed out in the first round of the US Open, she took part with vigor.
The tennis star, however, took part in the US Open knowing that her sister would not be there ever again. When probed about that, she stated in the post-match conference, “I was very much aware that Serena wouldn’t be playing the tournament, so I think I was okay.”
She looked back upon how things transitioned even before Serena’s retirement for her. Venus stated, “I’ve had a chance to get used to that idea even before she retired. I kind of knew that was coming.”
However, that has not hindered her from following her own path where she sees her passion for sport still thriving. She added, “I think you should always go for your dreams. For me, I haven’t had a lot of chances to play this year or last year.”
But that does not mean she has let that hold her back. Venus talked about the essentials that she or any other athlete would need to thrive on the court. She ended with, “I think the key for me is to just stay healthy and gain some momentum. I mean, that’s the key for any athlete.”
However, things did not go optimistically bright for Venus at the US Open this year. This proves Iga Swiatek‘s verdict on ever changing wave in tennis.
Iga Swiatek on the changing power dynamics in tennis
The Polish tennis star has proved her prowess on the court multiple times. Apart from her, we have also seen the rise of tennis players like Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Aryna Sabalenka, who are the new torchbearers of WTA. Consequently, this has led Swiatek to make a bold verdict.
The world no. 1 has called tennis “evolving”, as reported by AP News. Moreover, she feels that there is always room for new players and champions in the sport because of its changing dynamics. Having taken multiple titles since last year’s two big retirements of Ashleigh Barty & Serena Williams, Swiatek knows this is the time to establish her supremacy on the women’s circuit against the likes of Sabalenka, Rybakina & others.
However, even then, do you think it is yet time to have a new formidable force like Serena Williams on the court? Let us know your views in the comments below.
