Venus Williams

Venus Williams was born on June 17, 1980, in Lynwood, California. She and her sister Serena are both tennis stars. She has 3 gold medals- one in singles tennis and two in doubles. Venus started playing tennis at age 4. Her father took her out of tennis when she was in junior high, so she would not have to listen to racial slurs. But she did turn professional when she was only 14 years old. She learned to play tennis on regular public courts, not fancy, expensive tennis academies like other tennis players.

Venus, Serena, and their other sisters spent much of their childhood in the high crime Compton neighborhood in Los Angeles. The family moved to Florida in the early 1990's so Venus and Serena could get more advanced coaching. Venus practiced tennis 6 hours a day, 6 days a week for 4 years straight. In 2003, Venus's sister Yetunde was shot and killed on the tennis court she practiced on. This had a profound impact on Venus.

Venus missed the first 4 months of 2000 with tendinitis in both wrists.

In 2000 Venus missed the first 4 months of the year and tennis because she had tendinitis in both wrists. She is a 5 time Wimbledon ladies' singles champion and has been the #1 ranked women's player on numerous occasions. She has also won ESPN's ESPY award for top female tennis player three time. Venus currently resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with her boyfriend, pro golfer Hank Kuehne.