The ecstasy overwhelmed her.
The moment arrived. On Venus Williams’ second match point, her foe’s forehand whizzed long. The Australian Open semifinal was hers. She could not believe it. “This cannot be,” she seemed to say. A card-carrying introvert, she bent low to the ground and then exploded into a vibrant dance that seemed like an out-of-body experience. She twirled, she lept, she hugged herself and dipped into inventive shapes a jazz dancer would applaud – such a triumphant body language.
Tennis has relished many stunning celebrations. Aussie Pat Cash scrambled up to a Friends Box in England. Jim Courier jumped into an Australian river. French Open champ Yannick Noah embraced his dad, and the French Davis Cup team did a conga dance in Lyons. Still, Venus’ joy was pure, so free. It even topped her leaping jumps after beating Lindsay Davenport at Wimbledon in 2005. And why not?
Over two decades ago, a wide-eyed, African-American waif with plain clothes and big dreams emerged in an Oakland, California arena. Her dad boldly informed us she and her sister would become No. 1 and No. 2 and revolutionize the game. Wouldn’t you know it, the sisters did zoom to the top, while turning a stodgy sport upside down.
Venus won Slams and collected Olympic gold, battled for equality and human rights and then struggled against a debilitating disease. Long ago, she became a certified tennis elder. “Goodness,” joked an Aussie grandmother from Hobart, “She should be home knitting.”
After all, Venus cemented her legacy long ago. Tall, elegant and grand, she has endless legs, and bolts about tennis courts with surprising grace. Her longevity is simply astounding.
All the while, she’s enigmatic – a beautiful mystery. Her gravitas is quiet. She holds her truths within. Serene and minimalist, she told us, “I have a good life, a good family, and a good little dog…I’m living the dream…I’m pretty good at tennis.”
Duh! The 36-year-old sailed through a soft draw without dropping a set, and,on this surprisingly cool Melbourne Thursday, gave a hot performance against a considerable foe.