Sports Illustrated Mailbag

Today a tennis fan asked Jon Wertheim if Venus Williams will ever win another singles major.  Wertheim, an all-around good guy, answered that it was unlikely due to age, health and form.  This is an answer I think most tennis writers would give.

It is easy to forget that Venus first reached a Grand Slam final in September of 1997.  That is a long time before Roger Federer broke through at the Wimbledon 2003.  Granted Serena won her first major at the 1999 US Open and she is still rolling.  Venus is older than Serena, her serve has always had a hitch in it, and she has a chronic health issue.

Is Venus Done?

In singles, I think Venus could make a second week at any slam not on red clay.  That is about as far as I can see her going.  Although her 2005, 2007 and 2008 Wimbledon runs make me leave a small door open for her on grass to reach a semifinal or final round.  Winning 7 matches even at Wimbledon seems highly unlikely.

However, Venus is not done.  She won a third Olympic Gold Medal in doubles last year.  That coupled with Venus’ 2000 singles gold makes her a 4 time gold medalist.  Venus also teamed with Serena to win her 5th Wimbledon doubles title in 2012.  Doubles is not dead in women’s tennis.  Top players sometimes still play the events.  If Venus and Serena want to keep winning slams and medals in doubles, there seems to be little in their path.  The Williams Sisters have a chance for a 5th Australian Open doubles crown this year.

Venus’ Grand Slam and Olympic Resume

1. Australian Open: Singles Runner-Up 2003, Doubles Champion 2001, 2003, 2009, 2010, Mixed Doubles Champion 1998
2. French Open: Singles Runner-Up 2002, Doubles Champion 1999, 2010, Mixed Doubles Champion 1998
3. Wimbledon: Singles Champion 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008 & Runner-up 2002, 2003, 2009, Doubles Champion 2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2012
4. US Open: Singles Champion 2000, 2001, Singles Runner-up 1997, 2002, Doubles Champion 1999, 2009
5. Olympic Games: Singles Gold 2000, Doubles Gold 2000, 2008, 2012

First Ballot Hall of Fame

Venus is clearly a Hall of Fame player with 7 Grand Slam singles crowns, 4 gold medals, 13 Grand Slam doubles titles and 2 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.  She can keep adding to this total.  Given that she and Serena have combined on 13 Grand Slam doubles titles and 3 gold medals, the longevity with one partner only adds to one of the most fascinating sports stories of the past 2 decades.  I hope she and Serena take a 5th Australian Open doubles title just to keep questions of Venus’ retirement at bay.