It is usually said that “time passes by”. However, for Venus Williams, “time flew by,” as she celebrated her 30th pro debut anniversary 3 days ago. Today, the 44-year-old star is 7 Grand Slam old, with an inspirational career, and a remarkable style off the court. But, this wasn’t the case 30 years ago, when she debuted as a 14-year-old, eager to establish her footing on the court. However, she isn’t alone in celebrating her 3 decades old career, as Andy Roddick and Tracy Austin visit memory lane with Williams at the center.

Venus Williams celebrated her 30 years in the professional circuit by posting a snippet from 30 years ago. A teenager dressed in white, with hair braids, donned in white beads, and a racquet in hand, before smiling towards the camera and signing photographs. The only change in her appearance was the blue beads in her hair. Nonetheless, celebrating the occasion, Williams captioned the pictures with heartwarming words, “30 years ago today, I stepped on the court for my pro debut! 🙏🎾✨” Prompting fellow tennis legend, Roddick and Austin to recount Williams’ first win.

During the Tennis Channel Live Podcast on November 4th, while discussing the ATP and WTA Finals group stage, Roddick took a few moments to celebrate Williams’ big day. Remembering Williams’ first professional match, podcast host, Steve Weissman, said, “This was 30 years ago. Oakland, California, the beads, the braids, all of it. It was an insane moment, and she won that match. Tracy, incredible.” Williams defeated the former NCAA singles champion Shaun Stafford at the Silicon Valley Classic in Oakland, on October 31st, 1994.

Tracy further added her memories of the Williams sisters’ tennis exploits from their younger days. She said, “I remember this like it was yesterday. Of course, Venus and Serena grew up in Los Angeles. So by the time they were nine and 10 years old, I was hearing about these sisters that were unbeatable, undefeated.” However, the 7-time Grand Slam champion had to rush her debut due to the Age Eligibility Rule (AER), which was about to come into play within a few months, in 1995.

The WTA introduced the AER, which restricted the age of debut and the number of plays for teenagers. At that moment in 1994, Williams had just a few months, until 1995 beginning, before the AER, which stated that 14-year-olds could only play 4 lower level ITF professional events came into play. And she took the leap, thus barring her from restrictions, and claiming a big fish in her debut match. This was not all.

“And she beat Sean Stafford, the 22-year-old, and then almost beat Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. We knew a star was born,”– remarked Austin. “I mean, the media came out in droves. I think everybody in tennis knew when she played that match that we had a future star.” Roddick added, “Yeah, I remember. I remember we were actually at Rick Macy Tennis Academy together at this time and the entire academy, all of us, I think I was 12 at the time. Venus won, Venus won.”

However, Venus Williams had to face challenges both on and off the court. Though she thrived on both, but the battle with the incurable autoimmune disease was not an easy one.

“I had to change my pace”: Venus Williams on overcoming her health struggles, while competing on the court

In 2011 at the age of 31, Venus Williams received a diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome. The symptoms included pain, numbness, and fatigue, a gritty challenge to overcome while fulfilling professional commitments. But Williams was ready to do whatever it took to play at her best. She changed her diet to a plant-based and sugar-free to help alleviate the exhaustion. Thus helping her manage her condition.

After the diagnosis, Williams made it to the finals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon Championships in 2017. This is not all, she claimed, the doubles crown with her sister at the Wimbledon in 2012, and 2016. She narrated her struggle and motivation to get back on the court in her book Strive. She told,

“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,” to Harper’s Bazaar magazine in September 2024.

A fighter through and through. It is indeed an honor to see her journey in the circuit, as she created history time and again. Congratulations to Venus Williams on her 30th year in the circuit!