"Tennis player expresses distress: 'I might lose excessive blood'"
In a remarkable comeback, four-time Olympic champion Venus Williams (45) has defied the odds and made history in the world of tennis. After a career spanning over three decades, Williams has faced significant health struggles primarily linked to fibroids and adenomyosis, conditions she battled for nearly 30 years.
Her debilitating symptoms, including heavy bleeding, excruciating pain, vomiting, anemia, and chronic fatigue, often went unnoticed or were misdiagnosed by doctors. This delayed effective treatment and exacerbated the impact on her career. For instance, she was told her heavy bleeding was normal or simply part of aging, which led to years of untreated illness and persistent physical difficulties.
A turning point came in 2024 when Williams found proper diagnosis and treatment guidance from Dr. Taraneh Shirazian at NYU Langone Health Center for Fibroid Care. In 2024, she underwent a major open myomectomy surgery to remove fibroids and a large focal adenomyoma embedded in her uterine muscle. This surgery marked a life-changing improvement, enabling her to return to competitive tennis after a 16-month hiatus and regain her health and strength.
Post-surgery, Williams expressed her gratitude for being able to play again at a healthier level and received wild card entries into major tournaments such as the 2025 Citi DC Open and the Cincinnati Open. Her resilience and determination were on full display as she made history in Washington by defeating Peyton Stearns and becoming the second-oldest singles winner in tennis history. Only Martina Navratilova, who won a match in 2004 at the age of 47, was older than Williams in achieving this feat.
Williams' career is a testament to her tenacity and skill. With 7 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 doubles titles (shared with her younger sister Serena Williams), and 2 mixed doubles titles, she is undoubtedly one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Her career has been marked by numerous victories in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, making her a formidable force on the court.
Despite her health struggles, Williams has always maintained a positive outlook. She wrote, "There can be a happy ending!" and continues to inspire others with her determination and spirit. As she prepares for the US Open, which will take place in New York at the end of August, tennis fans worldwide eagerly await her next chapter in this remarkable career.
- Venus Williams' health struggles in the past, particularly related to fibroids and adenomyosis, have not deterred her from excelling in science-oriented fields such as health-and-wellness and mental-health, given her advocacy for women's health and her openness about her health trials.
- A few years ago, during her tennis comeback, Williams showed her passion for sports extended beyond the court, starting a venture into entrepreneurship focusing on health-and-wellness and mentoring businesses to promote wellness.
- In her book, "Warrior in Paradise," Williams highlights the intersection between sports, specifically tennis, and mental-health; she shares personal experiences and advice on maintaining a clear mind and strong mental health, emphasizing its importance in a competitive sport like tennis.
