Russian tennis player caused a stir with a statement about Venus Williams
Russian tennis player Karen Khachanov found himself in the spotlight after making a controversial remark about legendary American athlete Venus Williams.
Commenting on her performances, Khachanov questioned the wisdom of her continuing her tennis career, stating, “Why is she playing?” His words sparked a wave of discussion among fans and the sports community.
“I don’t understand why, for example, Venus plays. She’s achieved so much, so she must really enjoy playing tennis. But when she loses matches one after another—I don’t know how much enjoyment you can get out of it if you’re not focused on the result. Why is she playing? Just because she likes coming to tournaments and getting wild cards? With all due respect to any athlete, I don’t understand what the point is. How long can this go on? Ten years?” Khachanov said on a Russian TV show.
Venus Williams made her debut on the women’s tour back in October 1994. She reached her first WTA final in the fall of 1997 and won her first tournament in February of the following year.
Over the next two decades, she won another 48 singles titles. In particular, she triumphed seven times at Grand Slam tournaments (Wimbledon—five times, the US Open—twice). She also won one Grand Slam Cup and one Tour Finals title, and in 2000, she won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics. She last played in finals in 2017 (three losses).
In doubles, she has won 22 titles, including 14 Grand Slam titles. She has triumphed three times in doubles at the Olympic Games. She has won two Grand Slam mixed-doubles titles.
The 46-year-old Williams is currently ranked 471st in the WTA rankings and has not won a singles match since July 2025.
The Russian made the remarks on a Russian propaganda show.
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