‘A Stumbling Block for Her’ – Serena Williams’ Mighty Sacrifice for Sister Venus When She Was Diagnosed With an Autoimmune Disease

An autoimmune disease called Sjogren was once causing Venus Williams fatigue and joint pain. It is a disease in which the body attacks its own healthy tissues, causing joint pain, swelling, dry eyes and mouth, and numbness. Moreover, sister Serena Williams made changes in her diet plans to support her elder sister Venus, who was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome.

Venus Williams had to pull out of major tennis tournaments at that time. 

Serena Williams extends her support to sister Venus

When Venus was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome, Serena encouraged her to play tennis again, calling her sister a “fighter.”

Serena also stated that she was eating less dairy food, spicy meals, fish, chicken, and other raw foods. She did that to support her sister, Venus, who changed her diet to fight the autoimmune disease. She said, “I don’t want her to come home and see a piece of chicken and be like, ‘Oh, I want it,’ and she can’t have it. It would be like a stumbling block for her.” 

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She also explained that she was very picky and careful with eating foods that won’t tempt her sister. She did so because she shared a room with Venus. Serena stated that while Venus found the new diet to be a significant change, it wasn’t an issue for her.

Then, after fighting health issues, Venus and Serena were both back on the tennis court.

Legacy of Williams sisters

Serena Williams is unquestionably at the top of the tennis world. With 23 Grand Slam wins, she is one of tennis’s most established athletes. Serena was born in Michigan in 1981. She is the youngest of five girls. Serena and Venus were brought up in Compton, California, where their father Richard started training them.

After making their professional debuts in the middle of the 1990s, Venus and Serena both achieved new heights on the tour. At the 1999 US Open, a 17-year-old Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam victory. Moreover, Venus Williams triumphed at Wimbledon and the US Open the following year, seizing her first Grand Slam title.

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The sisters not only emerged victorious in singles matches at Grand Slam tournaments but also as a team they won 14 Grand Slam titles and three Olympic gold medals. Seven Grand Slam singles titles have been won by Venus. While her sister, Serena is called the ‘G.O.A.T’ as she holds a record-breaking 23 major titles.