“There’s so much you can learn just from being around greatness and that’s what Serena is – the greatest ever” – Venus Williams

Venus Williams, one of the legends in tennis herself, has said that sister Serena Williams is the greatest ever and that she learns a lot by being around her sister.

Serena announced that she would be moving away from the sport in August to focus on her family and her business ventures, although she did not rule out playing more tournaments after her third round exit at the US Open in September.

Venus Williams was on hand to see Serena’s final US Open campaign for now and the two even teamed up for the women’s doubles event.

“Serena and I are very co-dependent,” Venus said in an interview to GLAMOUR magazine. “We do the same thing that the other one does. It just goes on and on, it’s an endless cycle – even when we were around eight years old and going like, ‘I want to do it, too!’ But it’s more of a motivation and when I see her doing great, it’s my success. It’s also motivating for me and lets me know I also can do that, and that’s how you have to look at other people’s success. I love seeing people do great… I don’t like to see anyone fail. I like to see my opponents lose against me, but other than that I like to ride that energy that other people bring with success. Serena has taught me so much and there’s so much you can learn just from being around greatness and that’s what she is – the greatest ever.”

“It’s great to see her come into her own there. I think she’s a natural” – Venus on the business skills of Serena Williams

During the interview, Venus Williams also confirmed plans for the sisters to produce more movies after their Oscar-winning project on their father, King Richard.

“We’re definitely doing more producing,” Venus said. “We’re telling some fantastic stories. I think that we found a little bit of our niche, so we want to continue that, and other than that Serena’s doing venture capital. I go with her sometimes to conferences, though I’m not going to do venture capital. But I like watching her and everyone’s telling me how amazing she is. People I meet around the world tell me, ‘We invested in your sister’s fund.’ I’m like, ‘I know, I did too!’ So, it’s great to see her come into her own there. I think she’s a natural.”

At the age of 42, Venus, who has said that she plans to continue playing, says she is not thinking about her legacy and remains focused on the present.

“It’s not something I think about. I know that sounds crazy,” the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion said. “Do people wake up and think about legacies? I’m in the ‘right now’. I’ve got a tournament coming I’m trying to play. It’s like, what am I going to achieve in this moment? I’ve always been forward-looking and I think a legacy isn’t as important as just enjoying your life. I have enjoyed mine and I think I could do even better at that. So, that’s kind of my next thing, just to live a little and if you could give back and encourage others, that’s the best legacy.”

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