Venus Williams is the oldest active tennis player in the current rooster, but she's always learning a thing or two when she lifts her racket.
The evergreen American will turn 44 in June and recently made her tennis comeback on the hard courts of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where she was granted a wild card. This means since the start of 1994, when she made her pro debut, she has featured in at least one tournament every year.
Venus performed admirably in the first round, where she stole a set from Japanese qualifier Nao Hibino. But as the match developed into a marathon rather than a sprint, the 29-year-old hibino had the more energetic legs to win the contest 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.
It was her first match since August at the US Open, when she took an injury break to treat a chronic knee issue. Venus confirmed at the end of last year that she intended to play for an astonishing 30th year on the professional scene in 2024.
In an update on her Instagram stories, the 43-year-old tennis legend disclosed an incident on the practice court in which she became upset with her level to the extent she ripped her skirt. Williams lives by the motto that sports is "the greatest teacher" and that her fury has only made her stronger.
"I ripped my skirt at practice today bc I got incredible upset, but I came out stronger. Sometimes you have to do it the hard way. Sometimes I forget how much resilience sports gives you."
"The practice courts are an intense place! It's funny now but I was not laughing at the time. I keep learning so much from this sport, about life and about myself. Sport is the greatest teacher!"
The seven-time Grand Slam champion will play at next week's Miami Open, where she is a beneficiary of another wild card. She is a three-time champion of the tournament, lasting playing in it in 2021.
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