The Williams Sisters: Venus and Serena

Vendors Russell Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat about the world of sports with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Patrick: So, fellas, let’s speak about, arguably, the greatest siblings duo in tennis history: The Williams sisters. Let’s talk post-tennis. Russ?

Russ: Well, beginning with Serena, whose tennis life is holding on a bit longer than Venus, Serena is the proud parent of a daughter, as well as the wife to one Alexis Ohanian. With her family, she can now spend that time with them and make it—if not already—her absolute no. 1 priority. Shoot, I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t teach her daughter how to play tennis. I could see her coaching the youth or, even, college players.

John: From what I’ve found, Venus designed a clothing line for clothing company Wilsons Leather.

Russ: She’s also inked deals with Reebok, Wrigley Gum, Avon and Nortel Networks.

Patrick: What’s Nortel Networks?

Russ: A Canadian telecommunications and data company, doing webcasts and online clinics.

Donald: Well, knowing the Williams sisters, they have solid plans for their retirement. They’re having a tough time wrapping up their tennis careers—understandable based on their success—but, throughout their careers, they’ve moonlighted on their main jobs. Both have clothing lines that seem to be doing well. On a personal tip, I’m a bit torn because I’ve been watching and enjoying them play tennis at such a high level, with such flair—

Russ: Something we don’t get a lot of when it comes to tennis.

Donald: Right. It hurts, though, that, at some point, we won’t get to watch and root for them.

Patrick: I agree, Don. I can say the only tennis matches I’ve never enjoyed—fully— are ones that have Venus on one side and Serena on the other—especially later when Serena won every match! Big Venus fan here. Each has her own lovable vibe, though. Venus with that long, classy, clothes-designing aura; can take your air without you even realizing she’s even gotten into your space. Serena comes at you with so much power and grit and aggression that you’d have to make a decision—assuming there’s time—whether your health was strong enough to sustain the “love” that was bearing down on you from Venus’ younger sister.

Russ: (Laughter.) A heckuva description!

Patrick: Not only that, as mentioned earlier, both have clothing lines. This is a huge undertaking for one person in a family—let alone two. Venus, in 2007, created her own brand called EleVen, and it’s still solid. Serena’s line, S by Serena, finally launched in 2018 after a few false starts. I learned, but hadn’t known until very recently, that Serena, at 18, had juggled her tennis career and fashion school. To be that good at something that requires elitism for success, and to voluntarily give over some of that focus to something so intense as an artstudy—especially something as specific as clothing design—is kudos-worthy.

John: Honestly, this is more interesting than I thought it would be. I didn’t realize the height of their talents outside of tennis.

Donald: John, we got you. And, again, both are huge about family, so if nothing else, they can sink into those as comfortably as they slipped into the world of championship tennis. And, you out there, please feel free to send your thoughts to the e-mail address below about the Williams sisters and what we’ve said today. Also, let us know if you want to hear us discuss something in particular.

Any comments or suggestions? Email pedwards@streetwise.org