For decades, Venus Williams has been a powerhouse in the world of tennis. Since becoming pro in 1994, she has won 7 Grand Slam Singles titles and was formerly ranked No. 1 in the world.
In 2011, Venus was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition. Health issues have caused her to drop out of several doubles tournaments and ultimately decreased her world ranking.
How has Sjogren’s syndrome affected Venus’ performance?
Sjogren’s syndrome is a condition that causes the immune system to attack mucus-secreting membranes such as the saliva glands and tear ducts. This results in dry mouth and eyes.
For a tennis superstar like Venus, she must keep hydrated and use eye drops to avoid blurred vision.
But nothing, not even Sjogren’s, stands in the way of her quest for gold!
Venus returned to the world stage this summer in Rio de Janeiro, playing in the 2016 Summer Olympics.This goes to show, that nothing can stop her fighting spirit!
