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Famed tennis star Venus Williams has reached the very top in every area of tennis but even though she is now ranked outside the Top 50, she wants to keep on competing. And why not? She became the first American black woman to be ranked #1 in the world. She is credited as changing the women’s game and ushering a new, modern era of power and athleticism on the women’s professional tennis tour.
READ: Black History of Health: Venus Williams
Venus Williams made her Tour debut in November 1994 aged 14 in Oakland. She led by a set and a break against World No.2 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario but was ultimately beaten in the second round.
Her big breakthrough came in 1997 as she made the quarterfinals of three Tier 1 events and broke into the Top 100. Continuing her trend of success in California, she beat World No.9 Iva Majoli in Indian Wells. The rest is history, or better yet, the rest she has continued to make history.
Now 40, she continues to inspire kids to try tennis, or to get better at whatever else they are doing. That’s the beauty of Venus, her reach and what she means to the game is about much more than just tennis.
Her seven Grand Slam singles titles tie her for twelfth on the all-time list and is more than any other active female player except for her younger sister Serena Williams. Yet, even with all of those accomplishments, Venus Williams had to walk away from her favorite sport for a while due to her health.
READ: Venus & Serena Williams:We Don’t Even Want To Lose One
In 2011, Venus announced her withdrawal from the U.S. Open tournament after being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome. The rare autoimmune disease (pronounced SHOW-grins) that forced tennis star and seven-time Grand Slam champion out causes debilitating joint pain, swelling, numbness and fatigue.
Up to four million Americans are living with this chronic condition.
Sjogren’s Disease is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues, particularly the body’s moisture-producing glands. It is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases and often strikes at the same time as other autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Williams said she has struggled for years with symptoms that she now knows are linked to the condition.
The cause of this autoimmune disorder isn’t yet known, but certain genes raise the risk. In people who are genetically susceptible, some sort of triggering event may spark the disease, such as a bacterial or viral infection.
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Sjogren’s is usually triggered by an infection. The symptoms vary, but usually include dry eyes and a dry, cottony mouth that makes it hard to swallow. Other symptoms include joint pain, swelling or stiffness, swollen salivary glands (particularly the ones behind the jaw and in front of the ears), dry nose or nosebleeds, heartburn, trouble concentrating or remembering, tooth decay, abnormal liver function, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, extreme fatigue, skin rashes, vaginal dryness, or persistent bronchitis.
READ: I Am My Sisters Keeper: Venus & Serena Celebrate Making History Again
“I think I’ve had issues with Sjogren’s for a while. It just wasn’t diagnosed,” Williams said. “I just didn’t have any energy,” Williams said. “And it’s not that you don’t have energy; you just feel beat up. The good news for me is now I know what’s happening,” Williams said, adding that her doctor diagnosed her with exercise-induced asthma four years ago. But it wasn’t until this summer, when she developed more definite symptoms, that an accurate diagnosis was made.
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Deciding to drop out of the U.S. Open wasn’t easy, Williams said.
“… I just felt like, ‘Okay, I could walk out on the court. I’m a tough woman, I’m a tough athlete, I’ve played through a lot of things.’ But what kind of match it would be?” she said. “It was a tough decision, but…
…at the same time I’ve had to come to accept what I’m going through.”
Williams said she’s glad to finally have an explanation for her mysterious, debilitating symptoms.
“It’s a huge relief because as an athlete everything is physical for me — everything is being fit and being autoin shape,” she said. “I think the best thing that could have happened for me this summer was to feel worse so I could feel better. Sjogren’s is something you live with your whole life. I feel like I can get better and move on.”
READ: 6 Signs You Have An Autoimmune Disease
Williams said she “absolutely” plans to return to tennis. And she stayed true to that. Venus captured the 2015 ASB Classic title with a memorable three-set win over top seed Caroline Wozniacki.
The win avenged her defeat in last year’s thrilling final to Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic as the former World No. 1 claimed the 46th title of her legendary career.
Williams’ sister and fellow tennis pro Serena had a health scare in March, when she was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism — a blood clot in her lungs.
“Serena’s conditions helped me to feel a new life on life in itself,” Williams said. “So this, right now, I think will help me to feel grateful for everything that I have. And at the same time it makes me want to get up and fight harder every single day.”
READ: Why Venus Williams Went Vegan
Sjogren’s Disease: What You Need To Know
Who is most affected? 9 out of 10 people with this chronic autoimmune disease are women. The syndrome is most common after age 40, but can strike people of any age, including kids.
How is it diagnosed and treated? Sjogren’s syndrome is often misdiagnosed or overlooked because it can mimic other conditions. Many patients, like Williams, have symptoms for several years before getting a diagnosis. There’s no one test for the syndrome, but an international panel of experts developed diagnostic criteria that include evaluating dryness symptoms, such as checking the eyes’ level of tear production and how much saliva the mouth produces. There are also several blood tests that doctors may use.
READ: Venus Williams Withdraws From Open Due To Joint Pain
While Sjogren’s has no cure, there are treatments that make symptoms more manageable: Artificial tears and saliva stimulants can ease dryness; anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce joint and muscle inflammation; and certain drugs can help control the overactive immune response.
If you are experiencing symptoms of the disease, including unexplained numbness, fatigue or swelling, be sure to contact a doctor immediately.
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