Carla Suarez Navarro revealed that Serena and Venus Williams checked up on her regularly during her cancer battle.
Suarez Navarro enjoyed a very solid career and maximized her talent. The Spaniard did not possess much power, making it challenging for her to compete against powerful hitters like Serena Williams, who bid an emotional farewell to tennis this year.
However, that disadvantage, which is crucial in the modern game, did not stop Suarez Navarro from battling to become a formidable player. Her achievements include winning a WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Open and reaching No. 6 in the world.
The 34-year-old was also a very nice person and a good role model throughout her career. That meant there was devastation and concern for Suarez Navarro when she announced having Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of cancer, in September 2020.
Thankfully, Suarez Navarro confirmed in April 2021 that her cancer was in complete remission and returned for one more season before retiring at the end of that year at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Suarez Navarro revealed in an interview with the Spanish newspaper AS that Serena and Venus checked on her every few weeks throughout her fight with cancer, which left the two-time French Open quarterfinalist shocked and happy.
She (Serena Williams) and sister (Venus Williams). They both cared a lot about me. They asked me every two or three weeks how I was doing. That really surprised me."
"When I saw them face to face, they remained very interested and told me that they were glad to see me back."
The Spaniard also commented on Serena's retirement, saying that a legend who changed tennis had left the sport.
"A legend is leaving us. I have coincided with her a lot and I have suffered a lot from her as her rival, but I think she changed tennis, put it in a different world focus. Her clothes, everything she did."