‘We’ve never been free’ – Serena and Venus Williams discuss life after retirement
In a candid interview, Serena and Venus Williams shared that they “never planned to just be tennis players” and revealed that Serena was the most doubted of the formidable duo.
Over the past two decades, Serena and Venus Williams established themselves as two of the greatest players of all time. Individually Serena won 23 Grand Slam titles, whilst sister Venus won seven.
The sisters also played doubles together and won a further 14 Slams and 3 Olympic medals, as well as one gold medal apiece for singles.
However, neither of them have featured recently as both have endured injury struggles. Serena has been ruled out since June with a hamstring injury, whilst Venus also suffered a leg injury last year.
With their careers seemingly nearing an end, the sisters have turned their attention towards a life outside of tennis.
Speaking to American fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar, Venus said “we never planned to just only play tennis and just only be tennis players.
“We planned to do more. Serena and I say we’re going to become body builders after tennis. It might be extreme. It might not happen exactly like that, but you never know.
“From such a young age, all we’ve done is work. So I think for Serena and I to explore that freedom is surreal. We’ve never been free.”
Older sister Venus also went on to reveal that out of the two, Serena was doubted the most as a young player. Although it was Serena who went on to be the more successful sister.
Venus candidly explained that “usually in one family there’s one good player and then the other one is not that great. And I think people told Serena she wouldn’t be great.
“[But] the fearlessness with which she approached the game was something I’ve always really admired.
“She doesn’t accept second. She explicitly told me herself that she plays for first place.”
Serena has been chasing an elusive 24th Slam that would put her equal with Margaret Court’s record. However, Serena said “that [legacy] is something I don’t think about nor do I want. I don’t want to think about what I’m leaving.
“I just think about who I am every single day behind closed doors and behind cameras. And that’s what I focus on.”
? Free >> Receive our legendary newsletter
? Join >> Tennishead CLUB, the world’s only virtual tennis club
? Social >>Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
? Order >> World’s best tennis magazine
? Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted retail partner
