Venus Williams on Tennis, Wellness, and the Power of Reinvention

It’s been more than three decades since a 14-year-old Venus Williams first took the tennis world by storm. In the years that followed, the California-born pro, now 45, hasn’t slowed down one bit. She was the first Black woman to be ranked number one in the world during the Open Era. She’s won four Olympic gold medals, one silver. And she has a staggering 49 WTA titles—including seven Grand Slam singles titles, five Wimbledon championships, and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister, Serena—to her name. The siblings’ rigorous upbringing was the subject of the Oscar-nominated film King Richard in 2021, which offered an inside look at the influence that Richard Williams, as father and coach, had on their childhoods and careers. 

While Richard was famously fixated on athletics, Venus’s mother, Oracene Price, encouraged her to explore her creative side. At the height of her tennis career, she also studied fashion design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and went on to become an interior designer; she founded V Starr, a commercial and residential design studio, in 2002, and later cofounded the AI-powered interior design platform Palazzo in 2024. Inspired by her experience of Sjögren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes fatigue and joint pain, she also decided to enter the wellness space. She became part owner and chief brand officer of the science-backed self-care brand Asutra in 2019, and launched the plant-based protein company Happy Viking in 2020. Last year, she published the self-help book Strive: 8 Steps To Find Your Awesome, an innovative and inspiring guide to a healthier and happier lifestyle. She opens up to L’OFFICIEL about her journey from tennis champion to wellness expert.

L’OFFICIEL: It would be an understatement to say that you’re a sports icon. But beyond success itself, what has tennis given you?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It gave me everything. It changed my life and shaped the person I am today. It taught me resilience and how to be not only physically strong, but also mentally strong. It taught me discipline, the importance of showing up, working hard, and putting in the work every day to achieve your goals. And, perhaps most importantly, it gave me confidence. Confidence in myself, in my abilities, and a sense of power that goes beyond the tennis court.

L’O: How did tennis shape who you are as a person? How did it develop your character?

VW: Tennis is incredibly competitive and from a young age I had to train not only my body, but also my mind and my emotions. I was incredibly lucky to have parents who supported me, believed in me as an athlete, and, most importantly, made sure I had a real childhood. They reminded me that life is not just about winning, and that the person I was off the court mattered just as much as the results I achieved on the court.

L’O: Does your grit and competitive spirit from the court translate into your work today?

VW: Whether it’s launching a new flavor with Happy Viking or spearheading a new design project with V Starr, I approach each endeavor with the same passion, discipline, and intention that I brought to tennis. I’ve simply channeled that energy into new areas.

„Tennis is an incredibly sport competitive. It taught me to be strong, to stay focused under pressure, and above all to bounce back from defeats.“

L’O: You recently published Strive, a book that teaches how to live a healthier life. What was your goal in writing it?

VW: As an athlete, I have learned a lot about wellness, discipline, and resilience, and I want to share that knowledge to help others live healthier, happier lives. This book is about finding joy in the journey, because being disciplined doesn’t mean you can’t have fun along the way. It’s built around eight principles of wellness, designed to be small daily practices that grow into lifelong habits. It’s about practicing wellness in every aspect of your life—in your work, in your relationships, in the way you eat, and in the way you move.

L’O: How did Happy Viking and Asutra come to be?

VW: When I was diagnosed [with Sjögren’s Syndrome], I had to rethink the way I fed and cared for my body, ensuring I was getting the right nutrients and vitamins. Happy Viking aims to heal our bodies from the inside out by providing them with the nutrients and superfoods they need to stay strong, energized, and balanced. And then I partnered with Asutra because I love the brand’s products and what they stand for. They are a women-led company focused on self-care and overall wellness, and their products have also been a huge factor in helping me manage my symptoms and recover from training.

L’O: In addition to your focus on physical and mental well-being, you champion equal pay for women in sports. Have you seen any real improvement?

VW: I believe that tennis and all women’s sports are moving in the right direction. Every step forward is important, and women’s sports are getting more recognition than ever. It’s been incredible to see the success of all the athletes in the Olympics, in the WNBA, in women’s hockey, and in soccer. 

L’O: You’ve received many awards over the years, on and off the court. Which one means the most to you?

VW: It’s so hard to choose just one. I’m proud of all of my accomplishments. Every award and championship has been special and unique. Winning the Olympics and Wimbledon were lifelong dreams, and those memories are incredible. But beyond tennis, I’ve been able to use my platform to advocate for something bigger than myself. Being the first woman to receive equal prize money at Wimbledon was a personal milestone for me, and it was a victory for all women in sports and beyond, a reminder that change is possible.

„Being the first woman to receive equal prize money with the men at Wimbledon was a milestone for me, and a victory for all women, in sport and beyond.“

L’O: As a producer, why do you choose to put sports at the center of your films?

VW: Sport is a universal language. It unites people in truly meaningful and impactful ways. As a producer, I am drawn to stories that capture this spirit. We recently announced a new film adaptation of The Match, a book that tells the incredible story of tennis icons Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton. We hope to bring more stories of inspiration, unity, and triumph to the screen.

L’O: Having studied design and fashion, what importance do you place on beauty?

VW: Beauty is a powerful form of self-expression, just like design, fashion, and art. It is a way to show your individuality and stand out. What makes beauty so special is that it is personal; it does not have to follow rules or trends. It is not about perfection, but about feeling confident in who you are and embracing what makes you different.

L’O: In terms of your own style, what do you feel most comfortable wearing?

VW: Over time, I have learned not to follow trends but to choose clothes that make me feel good and that fit my lifestyle. I have always loved wearing skirts, both the sporty tennis ones and the everyday ones.

L’O: Who are your favorite designers?

VW: It’s hard to pick just one. Virgil Abloh [the late founder of Off-White and artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton] has been an inspiration. I admired the way he redefined menswear and left a lasting impact. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with Lacoste for years, developing an appreciation for the timelessness and elegance of their work. I personally know Pelagia [Kolotouros], the brand’s creative director, and have seen firsthand the creativity and passion she puts into every single piece she designs.

L’O: What are your next projects?

VW: I make sure that every project is meaningful, and I am currently very focused on expanding my work with V Starr and Happy Viking, as well as my other health and wellness projects. My book Strive will be coming out in paperback this fall, and I recently announced a partnership with WeWard, a walking app that makes movement fun and rewarding. It’s exciting to support businesses that are making a positive impact.