Serena Williams and Husband Alexis Ohanian Congratulate Venus After Featuring on Cover of Newsweek

Venus Williams has been ever-present on the women’s circuit for two decades now. The former World No.1 has claimed some of the biggest trophies in tennis while dominating her opponents along the way. Now, at 42 Venus looks to end her prolific career on a high before calling it a day.

Williams became the first woman to receive equal prize money after winning Wimbledon in 2007, a landmark step in the sport.

Serena and husband Alexis Ohanian congratulate Venus

Williams features on the front cover of magazine Newsweek as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Title IX. This is an iconic civil rights law passed back in 1972, prohibiting sex-based discrimination in any school or educational institute.

Venus’ sister Serena along with husband Alexis Ohanian congratulated her after her iconic feature. “LFG sis!” read a story posted by Ohanian. Venus revealed her experience with gender discrimination in her earlier days in the sport.

She says, “Early on in my career, there were definitely moments that opened my eyes to inequality between men and women. I saw how many women’s matches were on center courts at combined events for women and men. When you’re relegated to a side court, you notice that.”

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Venus has been out of action since August last year after suffering a leg injury. She is hopeful to make her return for her home Slam at the US Open.

Venus Williams calls for equal prize money in 2006

Williams was the first to highlight the disparity in prize money at the Wimbledon Championships in 2006. She openly admitted that the All England Club was sending an ‘opposite message’ when it came to gender equality.

Consequently, the next year there was a historic announcement that both men and women would be awarded equal prize money. Williams took home ₤700,000 while men’s winner Roger Federer claimed the same.

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Roland Garros followed suit and adopted the same policy followed by the Wimbledon organizers. Venus Williams will go down in history as not only a champion but also someone who brought significant change to the women’s game.