Venus Williams shocked the tennis world when she abruptly withdrew from the US Open prior to her second round match against Sabine Lisicki. Media were first reporting the reason was an unspecified illness and soon it was defined as Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder which had been bothering the tennis champion for quite some time but has been diagnosed only recently, when more symptoms occurred.
I had swelling and numbness and fatigue, which was really debilitating. I just didn’t have any energy. And it’s not that you don’t have energy — you just feel beat up.
The 31-year-old Williams said she “absolutely” plans to play tennis again, even though there is no cure for her health problem.
Sjogren’s is something you live with your whole life. The good news for me is now I know what’s happening after spending years not knowing… I feel like I can get better and move on.
(source: Australian Open, photo: © Neal Trousdale)
I think Venus should retire. There’s just too much of everything.
Sometimes I think the same, but, still, they are a big amount of players that can’t take a set from her even with the way she is playing nowadays, if she gets a good treatment and feel better, the only thing that she will need to win tourneys again is her determination, I don’t know why she looks so nervous while playing nowadays, need to keep focus, she still can play…
I wish Venus all the best in her health issues. If she can come back great for her but she has enough wealth and talent outside of the game to lie at ease. Get Well Venus!!!!