It seems hard to believe, and even more difficult to accept, but the Williams’ sisters careers are nearing their end. While neither Venus nor Serena has made any public statements announcing or
even hinting at retirement, the signs are there. Last Wednesday both pulled out of the U.S. Open, making it the first time in 18 years neither sister will participate in that event. Serena Williams cited a torn hamstring, while Venus said her withdrawal came due to a leg injury.
Their decision followed the departure of male stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It’s the first time since 1997 that all four of these champions have missed the same Grand Slam event, and both Federer and Nadal are also looking at the back end of great careers. But the Williams sisters are a different case. A prime result of their activism on and off the court is the fact that the U.S. Open now pays men and women equal prize money. That certainly wasn’t the case when they began.
“After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the U.S. Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring,” Serena Williams wrote on Instagram, making her announcement first. Then Venus followed with a video message several hours later. “Not the best news from Serena and I today. I, too, am unable to play the U.S. Open. It’s super super super disappointing. Having some issues with my leg all this summer and just couldn’t work through it.”
Considering that Naomi Osaka’s mental health and state remain fragile, ESPN, who now owns the rights to the tournament, may not have quite the banner television spectacle it’s been in the past. However the larger question remains how much longer can or will either Williams sister remain on the circuit?
There’s a film being made about their father Richard Williams with Will Smith in the title role. It’s not clear how much interaction the sisters have in the production, though one would think they’d be very involved. Venus is now 41, and Serena will soon turn 40. In the words of former champion and current broadcaster John McEnroe “40 for tennis players is like 65 in other jobs.” One thing that keeps Serena going is her pursuit of a 24th Grand Slam title, something that would tie her with Margaret Court for the most all-time in the sport. It’s not lost on Williams that Court is (1) a political reactionary and (2) continues to belittle and downgrade her chances at achieving it.
Williams’ detractors point out she’s been to four finals since having her daughter and has lost all four, not winning a set in any. But just the fact she’s managed to go that far is an indicator she’s still capable of possibly getting one last title. While Venus hasn’t won a Grand Slam title since 2008, she reached the Australian Open final in 2017. More importantly, she’s second only to Serena in total singles’ titles on the women’s tour with 49 (Serena has 73). The Williams sisters are the only active players who’ve reached the finals of every Grand Slam tournament.
Something to remember when people question either of the sisters’ determination or hunger to win. Steffi Graf, a great champion who won 22 Grand Slams, quit the sport at the age of 30 (THIRTY). Now she began playing competitive tennis at 13, and accomplished everything you can in the sport including being the last person to win all four titles in the same season. But still, but both Venus and Serena Williams have been playing more than a decade longer against the toughest competition in the world.
Secondly, the Williams sisters have been trend setters in many ways, from fashion to athleticism on the court and advocacy off it. There were more Black women playing in Grand Slams this year than ever before, and while American men have fallen off the map in terms of world rankings, American women are still competing for titles and remain factors in all events.
No one plays any sport forever, and the day will come when both Venus and Serena Williams are no longer on the court. But hopefully before that happens Serena will tie that record, and the tennis world, as well as professional athletics in general, will recognize and honor their greatness. They are without question the greatest sister act in contemporary sports.
