African-American tennis champion Venus Ebony Starr Williams was born on June 17, 1980 in Lynwood, California. Along with her sister, Serena Williams, she was heavily involved in tennis starting at a young age. Coached by their parents Richard and Oracene Williams, they grew up in the Los Angeles suburb of Compton. Richard Williams dreamed that his daughters would have a better life as professional tennis players and encouraged his daughters to strive for their best, which turned into Olympic gold medals and world tennis titles. Both Serena and Venus became popular by their reign of the court, as well as their attire. In the late 1990’s, both sisters were known for very bright, bold clothing (something no one had ever done before) and colored beads in their hair. Many say they added “funk” to the game. Surprisingly, both girls had many sponsorship offers. Here are some statistics on Venus Williams:
Height: 6’1″.
Weight: 160 lbs.
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand).
Turned Professional: October 31, 1994.
Coach: Richard Williams.
Resides: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (USA).
Number of WTA Singles titles: 33.
Number of WTA Doubles titles: 10.
Total Career Winnings: $16,213,526.
Total Winnings for 2006: $200,870.
Total Career Win-Loss Record for Doubles: 48-92.
Total Career Win-Loss Record forSingles: 261-233.
Current 2006 Win-Loss Record for Singles: 10-4
Current 2006 singles Ranking:
Career-High for Singles: 1 (2002)
Career-High for Doubles: 5 (1999)
Major Awards and Accomplishments
-Won gold at 2000 Sydney Olympics for both singles and doubles in women’s tennis.
-Champion at Wimbledon in 2000, 2001, and 2005.
-Champion at US Open in 2000 and 2001.
-Venus Williams is also a successful businesswoman and CEO of her own interior design firm.
Venus Williams is considered a modern hero for young girls and young tennis players all over the United States and the world. Her story of growing up in the rundown suburbs of Compton and making her way to the top of the WTA is a true rags to riches story. Even though she practices, plays, and travels constantly she has her own charity and her own business.
This year (2006) Venus Williams enters Wimbledon once again (without Serena) after taking home the championship last year (defeating both champion Maria Sharapova and Lindsay Davenport) and recovering from recent absences in the tennis world due to injuries. She dreams of yet another victory this year in London at Wimbledon, and several more opens this year all over the world.
