REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
- Venus Williams suffered a brutal ankle injury during her Australian Open second-round match.
- The 40-year-old took back-to-back medical timeouts to address the issue.
- Somewhat miraculously, she returned to the court and finished out the match through immense pain.
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She may not be the winningest, most talented tennis player on the circuit – or even in her own family – but nobody has more grit than Venus Williams.
The elder Williams sister is still holding her own on the court at 40 years old. Her second-round performance at the 2021 Australian Open proved that her tenacity remains unrivaled some 26 years into her professional career.
Towards the end of the first set in her match against Italy’s Sara Errani Wednesday, Williams appeared to roll her right ankle while charging the net for a return. The seven-time Grand Slam champion let out an ear-piercing shriek and fought back tears as she hobbled to her seat.
—José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 10, 2021
Williams was already grappling with a left knee injury heading into the tournament. And considering she was fighting to stay in the set, trailing Errani 5-1 when she twisted her ankle, the second injury could have easily been a metaphorical knock-out punch for one of the most decorated tennis stars of the modern era.
But her toughness prevailed.
Williams took back-to-back medical timeouts as tournament staff catered to each of her legs and assessed the severity of her most recent injury.
AP Photo/Hamish Blair
Somehow, Williams limped back out onto the court. Clearly in agony and struggling to put weight on her left ankle, she recommenced the seventh game of the match. Though she managed to put a point on the board, Errani swiftly took the game to close out the first set.
And the pain didn't appear to subside much during the break between sets. Williams tested out her mobility and strength during the momentary hiatus, desperately trying to avoid forfeiting the match.
—Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) February 10, 2021
Commentators suggested that her retirement was all but certain, but once again, Williams stunned viewers and staggered to the baseline. She wouldn't win a single game in the second set, but her ability to battle through to the match's natural close inspired all who watched the remainder of the contest unfold.
—#AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 10, 2021
After her defeat, Williams took to Instagram to deliver a thoughtful message regarding her injuries and subsequent loss.
"You can't always prepare for the triumph or the disaster in sports or in life. You can't control it all," Williams wrote. "What you can control is how you handle the ups and the downs. No matter the outcome, I always hold my head high, and I leave everything I have on the court. I never look back in regret because no matter the odds, I give it all. You don't have to look back when you leave it all out there."
"Always look forward, the deepest dream you have could be..."
The severity of Williams' injuries remains unclear, but if her display of toughness on Wednesday is an indicator, the star will be back on the court as soon as possible.