Fresh details of troubling Venus Williams 2023 season

• The 43-year-old recently opened up to her fans on her disappointing tennis journey this season
• Venus is yet to address questions about her retirement in light of disappointing seasons
• The iconic American tennis player recently discussed her Wimbledon injury and her swelling cycle

Venus Williams 2023 season was the best even after getting a wildcard to play in two major slams of the year.

The 43-year-old recently opened up to her fans about her disappointing tennis journey this season on her YouTube account.

The iconic American tennis player discussed her Wimbledon injury and bravely addressed a subject that should no longer be considered taboo in women’s tennis; the menstrual cycle.

Venus Williams 2023 Season

She admits that she did not play her best at the US Open 2023 which was also the case with Wimbledon. She sustained a knee injury which affected her performance.

“I didn’t want to miss US Open, but definitely not my best performance after so much time off after Wimbledon. I decided not to play anymore the rest of the year and just give my knee a chance to heal. I got Wimbledon and I sadly slipped in the third game of the match.

“I really got injured. I spent the whole summer pretty injured with my knee. What was interesting is once I just sat down, I felt better,” she narrated.

Venus Williams in action during a past match. Photo/Eurosport

Venus Williams Battle With Swelling Cycle

Beyond her knee injury which impacted her performance at the US Open and Wimbledon, Venus had more coming. Her menstrual cycle became a thorn in the flesh affecting her whole body due to swelling.

She couldn’t play anymore with the swelling on her body.

“After the US Open, I would say maybe like four weeks later I got up, I remember it was a Sunday and I got up and I was like ‘Oh my god! I’m not in pain. Like my knee hurts, my knee is swelling every day. It’s very difficult to play tennis or any sport when you have like the swelling cycle, when your body won’t stop swelling,” she narrated further.

How The Menstrual Cycle Works

The menstrual cycle is intricately regulated by hormonal changes, and the use of hormone-based contraceptives can alter these dynamics. Several interconnected structures play pivotal roles in sustaining this physiological process.

Comprising three distinct phases, each menstrual cycle involves events within the ovary and uterus. The ovarian cycle encompasses the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Simultaneously, the uterine cycle unfolds in three stages: menstruation, the proliferative phase, and the secretory phase.

In the follicular phase, a gradual rise in estrogen levels halts bleeding and prompts the thickening of the uterine lining. Within the ovaries, follicles undergo development through a complex interplay of hormones, culminating in the dominance of one (or occasionally two) follicles after a few days.

This intricate orchestration of hormonal fluctuations and structural changes defines the cyclical nature of the menstrual process, influencing reproductive health and fertility.

Venus Williams US Open 2023

Rick Macci coached Serena Williams and Venus Williams. Photo/SportsSkeeda

The seven-time Grand Slam champion had her worst match at Flushing Meadows in New York. Although it was her 100th career US Open match, she bowed out in the first round, losing to Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen in straight sets 6-1, 6-1.

This marked her first opening-round defeat at the US Open since 1997, snapping a streak of 22 consecutive appearances reaching the second round or beyond.

Wimbledon 2023

Unfortunately, Venus did not have a triumphant return to Wimbledon in 2023. Her journey ended in the first round, following a straight-sets loss (6-4, 6-3) to Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina.

Just before Venus Williams 2023 season kicked off, she had limited play due to injury in the 2022 season. She grappled with injuries throughout 2022.

Still, she participated in only one Grand Slam, the French Open. She withdrew at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, before her first-round matches due to leg injuries.