In a shocking revelation, Venus Williams shared her journey from uncertainty to diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome, describing it as “a head-trip” for her. The seven-time Grand Slam champion had been battling fatigue, dry mouth, and dry eyes for years before finally discovering the cause of her health issues in 2011 at the age of 31.
Despite feeling off and not at her best, Williams continued to push through on the tennis court, not knowing the underlying reason for her struggles. It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s disease that she was able to address her health concerns and come up with a plan to manage her condition while still pursuing her tennis career.
“It was very challenging as an athlete to experience all those symptoms. When you crash, you go so hard that you can’t get up, literally. But I still got up, because I had to. Lying in bed is not fun. There is no substitute for being well,” Williams shared in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar magazine.
The former world No. 1 had to adjust her pace and lifestyle to accommodate her autoimmune disease, but knowing the cause of her troubles brought her a sense of mental peace. Despite the setback, Williams was determined to continue playing the sport she loved and had dedicated her life to.
In a candid blog post on her YouTube channel two years ago, the five-time Wimbledon winner opened up about the challenges of living with Sjogren’s disease. Williams revealed that the condition affected her ability to wear contact lenses due to her dry eyes, forcing her out of the game for almost nine months.
“Everyone’s life is affected differently with autoimmune diseases. For me, it really obviously affected my work and my profession. I wasn’t able to play tennis anymore, and I was out of the game for maybe nine months,” Williams explained, reflecting on how the condition had impacted her career.
Despite the obstacles she faced, Venus Williams remains an inspiration to fans and athletes alike as she continues to defy the odds and pursue her passion for tennis, showing resilience and determination in the face of adversity.