Venus Williams is
an American professional tennis player, former World
No. 1, and the reigning Wimbledon singles champion.
As of January 28, 2008, she is the top ranked
American woman.
Williams has won the Olympic gold medal in women's
tennis and 14 Grand Slam titles, including six
singles (four at Wimbledon and two at the U.S.
Open), six women's doubles, and two mixed doubles
titles. She is the older sister of fellow former
World No. 1 tennis player Serena Williams. The
Williams sisters are noted for their power games:
Venus currently holds the record for the fastest
serve ever recorded in a professional WTA tour main
draw match (129 mph).
Williams is known for her offensive baseliner game,
although she is also a skillful volleyer and
effectively utilizes her long reach and quickness at
the net. She said during an interview at the 2008
Australian Open that she was working to improve her
volley.
Her serve on average is one of the most powerful on
the WTA tour. Williams is known for her powerful
two-handed backhand, which is her stronger and more
consistent side. Occasionally her forehand has been
prone to break down in tough matches.
In 2003, her elder sister and personal assistant,
Yetunde Price, 31, was shot dead on the courts that
she herself and her sister once practiced on. Her
family issued this statement shortly after the
death. "We are extremely shocked, saddened and
devastated by the shooting death of our beloved
Yetunde. She was our nucleus and our rock. She was a
personal assistant, confidante, and adviser to her
sisters, and her death leaves a void that can never
be filled. Our grief is overwhelming, and this is
the saddest day of our lives."
Williams is currently engaged to her long time
boyfriend, pro golfer Hank Kuehne, who has been a
visible presence since Wimbledon 2007, holding her
hand during long rain delays and clapping support
from the players' box along with her parents and
younger sister, Serena. "He's a great guy," Williams
said. "He understands competition. He's very
supportive. I love having him here and everyone else
in the box, too."
Williams professes to be a devout Jehovah's Witness.
On December 13, 2007, Williams received her
associate degree in Fashion Design from The Art
Institute of Fort Lauderdale with Cum Laude honors
and a 3.5 GPA.
