Venus Williams has opened up about her harrowing health battle last year, where the tennis legend was told she was “inoperable” and could “bleed to death”
Venus Williams was told she could ‘bleed to death’ during her harrowing health battle(Image: Getty)
Tennis icon Venus Williams made a triumphant return to the court last month at the D. C. Open after facing a daunting health challenge where she was warned she might “bleed to death.”
The 45 year old battled uterine fibroids and had a myomectomy in July of the previous year. After a year away from the sport, Williams came back strong at the D. C. Open, advancing to the Round of 16 in singles and reaching the quarterfinals in doubles.
She’s now eyeing the upcoming U.S. Open in New York with determination. Williams has secured a wild-card spot to play mixed doubles with Reilly Opelka and is awaiting confirmation by August 11 on whether she’ll vie for the singles crown, a title she’s clinched twice before.
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In anticipation of her Grand Slam comeback, Williams shared her harrowing health ordeal from last year that nearly cost her life.
“What a difference a year makes! I played my first tournament in over 16 months( thank you @markdein1 @mubadalacitidcopen ! ) and I am now preparing to play the @usopen.
“This post is in celebration of the last day of fibroid awareness month. There can be happy endings!
“I was told I was inoperable. I was told I could bleed to death on the table. I was told to get a surrogate and forget the hope to carry my own children. I was misdiagnosed. I went untreated for years and years and years. It’s so important to advocate for your health!”.
“I suffered from severe anemia, debilitating pain, excessive bleeding and abnormally frequent menstrual cycles for many years. It affected my tennis and the trajectory of my career.
Williams feared the worst during her treatment(Image: Instagram)
“I told my story so other women don’t have to go through this and so they can get better sooner. Thank you @drshirazian (my hero! ) and @nyulangone for spearheading my pathway to health, getting me back to the sport I love and for helping to build awareness for this very curable issue.”
“I play tennis now because I can play healthier than ever, it is a dream come true! Thanks @laralucaslulu @ladyisha01 @andreapreti88 @isabelbrigido_ and Li Fang the dream team that took care of me and my little puppy Harold when I couldn’t!”.
Williams’ candid revelation about her daunting health ordeal also coincides with her recent engagement to her beau Andrea Preti.
The Italian actor and producer was in attendance in the U.S. Capital for his future wife’s triumphant return to tennis.