Both on and off the court, Venus Williams can’t stop winning. With an athletic career spanning multiple decades, starting when she went pro at just 14 years old, Williams has solidified herself as one of the most magnetic competitors in tennis today – and her seven Grand Slam singles titles all but prove this. Beyond evolving into a bona-fide superstar, she’s also managed to create a lasting legacy outside of the sport, with various business ventures and partnerships that speak to the passions of the woman behind that wicked backhand.
Williams has always been vocal on topics like gender equality and pay transparency, but she’s also joined a host of other athletes who’ve spoken up about the importance of prioritizing mental health and the challenges that come with competing in the public eye. “Health is not just physical, and I’ve pursued a whole life of physical health – the Lord knows I know that – but also, beyond my top game, I needed to have the best mental health possible,” Williams tells PS. “That was always a priority for me, and I want to give that opportunity to other people and also make it [more] accessible.”
Williams’s renewed focus on mental health even compelled her to join forces with the world’s largest therapy platform, BetterHelp, for a partnership that aimed to provide up to $3 million worth of free mental health therapy to people in need. “I know that when you don’t feel good, it’s hard to get anything done. It’s hard to go to work, it’s hard to be with your friends. It’s hard to just exist when you’re mentally distressed,” she says. “When you are feeling good, you have so much to give – not only to yourself but to the world.” The initiative hopes to highlight the importance of mental health and break the stigma around getting professional help.
In an exclusive interview with PS, Williams discussed her partnership with BetterHelp, shared her perfect nighttime routine, and divulged all of the must-have products that keep her winning both on the court and in her everyday life.
