Serena Williams explains the reason why she believes Venus Williams is still playing tennis

Callum Davies
Serena and Venus Williams are undeniably a part of one of the greatest sporting families of all time, such is their shared prowess on the tennis court.

These two dominated in a way that few ever have and ever will do, and their respective talents helped forge a bigger and brighter WTA which has slowly lobbied for the equal pay that many modern-day players benefit from.

Legends on and off the court, Venus still remains in regular flirtation with the former, with her last WTA match coming in March, in Miami.

Serena has now sought to explain what is keeping her sister in the sport at the age of 43, despite having won just one match since August last year.

Serena Williams gives her opinion on Venus Williams’ career
Speaking to The New York Times, the legendary athlete, who has left a titanic mark on the sport, spoke about her career and her plans now following it.

Motherhood, philanthropy and entrepreneurship are just three avenues she has already explored, but just the other week she would send out a tweet that had the tennis world stunned.

Serena Williams had hinted at a return to tennis.

Gold medalists Serena Williams and Venus Williams of the United States (centre), silver medalists Lucie Hradecka of and Andrea Hlavackova of the Cz…
Photo by Professional Sport/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images
Whilst this would naturally prove not to be the case, she did speak about how she misses the sport, and admires how Venus continues to play despite her recent form faltering.

She noted: ‘Venus loves tennis. I think the question would be best answered by her. I do not want to speak for her. But we both love tennis. Honestly, I feel like I would still be playing if I didn’t have to stop and have a family.’

How many more titles does Serena Williams have than Venus?
It’s quite crazy to think that someone who has won seven Grand Slam titles and multiple Olympic gold medals can still be the second-most successful tennis player in one family, but that is just the greatness that occurred within the Williams family.

Serena has undoubtedly left the better legacy in the sport, having retired in 2022, but what Venus has done across her career has been supremely impressive too and deserves much more acclaim than she gets.

Perhaps it is because she was overshadowed by her sister, or perhaps the fact that she did not retire in a dramatic ‘one last dance’ season like Serena did, that she has not been handed that emotional recognition of her talents.

Serena Williams’ World Premiere as part of Tribeca Film Festival held at the OKX Theater on June 13, 2024 in New York City.
Photo by Steve Eichner/Variety via Getty Images
However, with Serena having won 73 titles to Venus’ 49, and 23 Grand Slam titles, 16 more than Venus, the numbers don’t lie.

The former is arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time, but Venus has also enjoyed a career deserving of legendary status.

Motherhood, philanthropy and entrepreneurship are just three avenues she has already explored, but just the other week she would send out a tweet that had the tennis world stunned.

Whilst this would naturally prove not to be the case, she did speak about how she misses the sport, and admires how Venus continues to play despite her recent form faltering.

She noted: ‘Venus loves tennis. I think the question would be best answered by her. I do not want to speak for her. But we both love tennis. Honestly, I feel like I would still be playing if I didn’t have to stop and have a family.’