Venus Williams, 44, reveals she will keep playing tennis to stop herself ageing as she speaks out on how rare autoimmune disease has taken its toll on her body

Venus Williams, 44, reveals she will keep playing tennis to stop herself ageing as she speaks out on how rare autoimmune disease has taken its toll on her body By Molly Clayton For Mailonline Published: 00:14 BST, 10 September 2024 | Updated: 00:14 BST, 10 September 2024 e-mail View comments She’s a former number one in both singles and doubles, winning herself seven Grand Slam titles. And now Venus Williams has revealed she will keep playing tennis to not only ‘look good’ but to also stop herself from ageing. Ms Williams, 44, the elder sister of Serena Williams , 42, has won five Grand Slam single titles at Wimbledon since she began her career, and two at the US Open.

Considered one of the greatest players of all time, as October’s cover star for Harper’s Bazaar , she revealed she has no plans to slow down. Venus Williams has revealed she will keep playing tennis to not only ‘look good’ but to also stop herself from ageing Ms Williams, 44, the elder sister of Serena Williams, 42, has won five Grand Slam single titles at Wimbledon since she began her career, and two at the US Open She said: ‘I have never neared a burnout, although last week I said I needed a permanent vacation! But I was going too hard for a few months with my schedule. ‘That was my decision.



We don’t always have a choice, but periods of rest are so important. ‘I do weights, and I swim in an Olympic-size public pool near my home surrounded by pines in Florida. ‘I’m still training, not every day like before but I’ll always need to be on court.

‘It’s a wonderful way to stay fit, burn calories and have great legs and arms! If you want to look good, play tennis. It doesn’t look like work but it’s exhausting. ‘I will do that as long as I have cartilage.

‘If I keep playing, hopefully the ageing process won’t start.’ Ms Williams revealed in 2011 after dropping out of the US Open that she was suffering with Sjögren's disease. Considered one of the greatest players of all time, as October’s cover star for Harper’s Bazaar, she revealed she has no plans to slow down She said: ‘I have never neared a burnout, although last week I said I needed a permanent vacation! But I was going too hard for a few months with my schedule' ‘I do weights, and I swim in an Olympic-size public pool near my home surrounded by pines in Florida.

‘I’m still training, not every day like before but I’ll always need to be on court' The condition causes antibodies to attack the body’s moisture-producing glands, leading to dryness on and inside the body. In rare cases, complications from Sjogren’s syndrome can cause salivary gland infections, kidney problems, ulcers or pancreatitis. Speaking about living with the disease she told Harper’s Bazaar: “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. ‘Lying in bed is not fun.

There is no substitute for being well. I had to change my pace. Ms Williams revealed in 2011 after dropping out of the US Open that she was suffering with Sjögren's disease.

The condition causes antibodies to attack the body’s moisture-producing glands, leading to dryness on and inside the body Speaking about living with the disease she told Harper’s Bazaar: “I had all kinds of symptoms, but that was very challenging as an athlete ‘It took seven years before I was diagnosed. It was a head-trip. I wasn’t reaching my full potential, and I didn’t know why.

‘Was I working too hard? What was I doing wrong? ‘That takes its toll and it’s not easy to walk out there when you don’t have much to give.’ The October issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK is on sale from 12 September SJÖGREN'S SYNDROME Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes a dry mouth and eyes. The mucus membranes and moisture-secreting glands of the eyes and mouth stop producing fluids.

This results in decreased saliva and tears. Sjögren's syndrome affects between 400,000 and 3.1 million adults worldwide.

Symptoms include: Itchy, gritty eyes Feeling like the eyes are burning Difficulty speaking or swallowing Some sufferers may experience joint pain, rashes, vaginal dryness, a persistent cough and fatigue. Sjögren's syndrome's cause is unclear. It may be related to genes, or exposure to a bacteria or virus.

The condition is more common in people over 40. Women are 'much more likely' to suffer. Sjögren's syndrome is also linked to other conditions, like lupus and arthritis.

Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, such as prescription eye drops and drugs that increase saliva production. Untreated, Sjögren's syndrome can lead to dental cavities, yeast infections and poor vision. Source: Mayo Clinic Share or comment on this article: Venus Williams, 44, reveals she will keep playing tennis to stop herself ageing as she speaks out on how rare autoimmune disease has taken its toll on her body e-mail Add comment.