Venus Williams Genie Bouchard
After over two decades in the game, Venus Williams has a lot more
tennis left to play in her legendary career.
Williams Brings Athleticism
And Class to the Court
BY BRITTANY STEWART / BB&T ATLANTA OPEN
Venus Williams, one of the greatest female ath-
letes of all time, has amazed the tennis world with her finesse,
agility and power on court for over two decades. The 36-year-old
holds 49 career singles and 22 career doubles titles. With younger
sister, Serena, as her doubles partner, the duo has won 14 Grand
Slam titles.
A clear talent at the age of 7, Williams quickly developed to an
elite level and turned professional at age 14. Coached by her fa-
ther, Richard, she made a name for herself in 1997 by reaching
her first Grand Slam final at the US Open.
In 2000, Williams took home two Olympic gold medals and
won three Grand Slam titles. Throughout the next decade, she
continued impressing in big tournaments. Using her powerful
serves and groundstrokes as tools, she competed in 13 Grand Slam
singles finals between 2000 and 2009 and took home seven titles.
After being diagnosed with Sjgrens syndrome, she returned to
the Top 10 in 2015, showed great resolve, and was awarded the
WTA Comeback Player of the Year. Her 2017 began with a finals
appearance at the Australian Open. Holding the record for the
most appearances in a Grand Slam singles draw, Williams plays
classic power tennis. Her athleticism and experience have helped
her achieve the rank of No. 1 three times in her career. Still ranked
in the Top 20, Williams has a lot more tennis left to play in her
legendary career.
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Eugenie Bouchard began her 2017 season with two Top 25 victories,
bouncing back from small setbacks over the last couple of years.
Canadian Rises to the
Occasion in Big Matches
For years it seemed Canada would not have a
womens tennis star any time in the near future. When Eugenie
Bouchard reached the finals in her second year at Wimbledon in
2014, the world took notice of the fair-haired Canadian tripping
up her opponents.
A math and science whiz as a youngster, Genie considered a
career as a physician, but she found her talent on a tennis court
in Montreal. Successful in her early junior career, she highlighted
it with a junior Wimbledon title in 2012. She became the first
Canadian, junior or professional, to win a junior Grand Slam title
in singles. She was awarded the WTA Newcomer of the Year at
the end of the 2013 season. She was the first Canadian to receive
the award in 30 years.
Bouchard became a name to fear in 2014 as she reached the
semifinal round of the Australian and French Opens, and the final
at Wimbledon. Ranked in the Top 20 for the first time in her ca-
reer, Bouchards streak continued through the year.
Bouncing back from small setbacks over the last couple of years,
Bouchard began her 2017 season with two Top 25 victories. She
defeated No. 23 Zhang Shuai and No. 6 Dominika Cibulkov at
the Sydney International. Reaching her first semifinal in over a
year before falling to No. 10 Johanna Konta, Bouchard showed
growing confidence. Extending her fame beyond the sport, she
also appeared in 2017 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
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