Legendary American tennis star Venus Williams is the cover star of the latest issue of Grazia UK. In the interview, the five-time Wimbledon champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist reflects on age, her sporting career, her personal life, and her own perspective on success.

For the cover story, Venus showcased striking looks from Givenchy, Jacquemus, Stella McCartney, Lacoste, and other renowned fashion houses.

The athlete celebrated her 46th birthday last week. Yet she is not considering retirement in the slightest. Instead, she is preparing for her 25th Wimbledon appearance, where she will compete in the doubles tournament alongside her younger sister, Serena Williams.

«Recently, I caught myself thinking: Am I really already 46? The most remarkable thing is that I feel just as strong as ever. Limitations exist only in our minds», the tennis star said, adding that she is not afraid of change and embraces every new stage of life with gratitude.

«Everything around us changes, but I feel comfortable at my age. Growing older doesn’t frighten me as long as I remain strong and healthy. If you take good care of yourself, you’ll be happy with your life», she emphasized.

Throughout her career, Williams has repeatedly proven her ability to break barriers and challenge stereotypes. She became one of the most influential Black athletes of the Open Era. However, her journey to the top was marked not only by victories but also by significant challenges, including an autoimmune disease diagnosis, surgery, a lengthy absence from competition, and a difficult return to the court.

Yet, in her view, it is precisely those hardships that help people move forward.

«Everyone sees the victories, but no one knows what you go through behind the scenes. Defeats are a huge part of success. The key is learning how to deal with them and not allowing setbacks to define your future», the champion noted.

Today, Venus’s life extends far beyond tennis. She successfully runs several business ventures, heads a design company, has published a book, produces plant-based protein products, and co-hosts a podcast with Serena. At the end of last year, her personal life also entered a new chapter when she married Italian actor Andrea Preti.

Photo: Grazia UK

Legendary American tennis star Serena Williams has announced her return to professional competition. After an absence of nearly four years, the 44-year-old winner of 23 Grand Slam titles will compete in the doubles event at the prestigious WTA 500 Queen’s Club Championships, which begin on June 8 in London.

Tournament organizers have awarded Williams a wildcard entry. She is expected to partner with 19-year-old Canadian tennis player Victoria Mboko.

«Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this new chapter. Some of the most important moments of my career happened on grass courts, so I’m thrilled to return to one of the most iconic venues in tennis», – Williams said.

Rumours of a possible comeback had been circulating for several months. Interest intensified following a recent video the tennis star shared on social media. In the clip, she walks onto a tennis court accompanied by the simple caption: «I guess everyone has heard the news by now.» Earlier speculation had also been fuelled by the appearance of Williams’ name on a list of athletes registered for anti-doping testing.

Williams last competed in September 2022 at the US Open, after which she announced her retirement from professional tennis. Over a 27-year career, she became one of the most accomplished players in the history of the sport, winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 doubles titles, and four Olympic gold medals. She finished five seasons as the world’s No. 1 player.

It remains unclear whether Williams plans to compete at the Wimbledon Championships, which gets underway in late June. However, her return is already being hailed as one of the most significant and eagerly anticipated stories of the tennis season.

Photo: Instagram @serenawilliams