Venus Williams, the seven-time Grand Slam winner, has shown powerful performances on the court. With exceptional speed and supreme athleticism, it’s surprising to hear that Williams has been dealing with a severe autoimmune disease for over ten years.
In 2011, Williams was diagnosed with a disease called Sjogren syndrome, an autoimmune condition that causes fatigue, chronic pain, and extensive dryness throughout the body. Your immune system is supposed to protect the body from infection and disease. But, according to MedlinePlus, “with Sjogren’s syndrome and other autoimmune diseases, your immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs.”
Currently, there is no cure for this disease, though treatments are available to lessen the impact of the symptoms. Nine out of ten patients who have the condition are women, and the average age of patients with the disease are in their late 40s.
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Williams explained, “I had all kinds of symptoms, but that was very challenging as an athlete. When you crash, you go so hard that you can’t get up, literally.”
“But I still got up, because I had to,” she said, as the disease is known to bring prolonged fatigue. “Lying in bed is not fun. There is no substitute for being well. I had to change my pace.”
Williams started experiencing symptoms in 2004, seven years before she was diagnosed. She noticed at the time that she wasn’t reaching her full potential but didn’t know why.
“It took seven years before I was diagnosed,” she said before later adding, “I hadn’t felt myself for a while.” It was a relief to know what was going on with her body, “But at the same time, it was hard to accept. I’m used to doing whatever I want, working hard and staying fit. To realize that it’s not something you can work through, that this is your life now…that was hard.”
While it was a relief when she received an official diagnosis, she had to withdraw from the 2011 U.S. Open in the second round because of it.
With time, Venus has been able to make the condition “manageable.” Her sister, Serena Williams, suggested that they attend a retreat after she was diagnosed. It was there that she decided to have a vegetarian, sugar-free diet, which has alleviated the symptoms. Her journey has led her to write a wellness book called “Strive” that releases this month in September.