Another case of Williams’ outfoxing time: Hingis would retire in 2003, at the age of 22, and again in 2007.
The Swiss would return to the tour for her final comeback in 2013, solely to play doubles for four seasons. Williams, meanwhile, has never left.
For three decades and counting, the Compton native continues to live her dream on her terms, and she will go down not just as a Hall of Famer who dominated the sport for extended stretches, but a perpetual source of inspiration that has forever captured the imagination of an adoring public.
Whether it be singles, where she revolutionized the women’s game with head-spinning speed and power, or doubles, where she went 14-0 Grand Slam finals with her sister Serena, Williams legacy will be defined by her prodigious appetite for battle as well as her excellence.
Stats don’t lie: Williams’ 30-year career includes 49 Tour-level singles titles, a World No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles, and a combined 23 Grand Slam titles across all competitions, including seven in singles.
Feeling patriotic? The Southern California native has also won four Olympic Gold Medals.
Her body of work speaks volumes, as does her willingness to continue defying odds. The journey continues: Venus Williams, true treasure of tennis, still has more to prove.