"The most important part is you don’t know what your future is": Venus Williams shares importance of having a back-up plan
WTA
Venus
Williams commented on the importance of having a back-up plan in life.
The
American tennis legend engaged in a round of questions and answers through
social media and recalled how much she enjoyed going to school while growing
up.
Williams began
her professional career at the age of 14 in 1994, hailed as the great young
tennis star of her time. The former world No. 1 has been in the professional
circuit for 29 years and has expressed her intentions to continue competing.
The 7-time
Grand Slam champion ended the grass season with positive feelings. Despite the
results (one victory and three defeats), Venus Williams showed that she still
has the level to compete in major tournaments at the age of 43.
In fact,
she achieved a surprising victory over Camila Giorgi and pushed Jelena
Ostapenko to a third set at the Birmingham Open.
During her
recent interaction with fans, she answered some of their questions and
reflected on the importance of having a back-up plan while thinking about the
future.
“I was a
nerd. I loved school, I didn't wanna leave school & when I got in high
school I was like ‘I wish I was still there.’ The most important part is you
don’t know what your future is, so you have to have a backup plan,” Venus
Williams said.
Williams
will return to competition this Monday following her elimination in the first
round of Wimbledon against Elina Svitolina.
At the
Canadian Open, the former world No. 1 has been drawn to face her compatriot and
13th seed, Madison Keys, in the first round. The North Americans have faced
each other on five occasions, with two victories for Williams and three for
Keys.
The younger
of the Williams sisters has only advanced beyond the third round in Canada
once, when she reached the final in 2014 but was defeated by Polish player
Agnieszka Radwanska.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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