By We all know Venus Williams as the trailblazing tennis icon — a 7-time Grand Slam champion, 4-time Olympic gold medalist, and one of the fiercest athletes to ever grace the court. But off the court? Venus is thoughtful, funny, down-to-earth, and full of delightful surprises.
From her first job at the age of 3 to her love for cartoons and gummy worms, these 25 fun and deeply personal facts give us a refreshing look at the woman behind the champion. You may think you know Venus, but get ready to love her even more.
📝 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Venus Williams — With Real Personality
1. She had her first job at age 3
Yes, you read that right. Venus started working before most of us could tie our shoes. “My first job was delivering phone books,” she says. “My dad insisted that we worked — it didn’t matter how old you were.” That strong work ethic? Clearly started young.
2. She feels guilty when she skips workouts
Even champions have their quirks. Venus says, “If I’m not working out, I feel extremely guilty.” Her favorite? Weightlifting. Not-so-favorite? Cardio — “but I get it done,” she adds, laughing.
3. Her skincare routine is low-key
Forget the fancy serums. Venus swears by one thing: moisturizer — and lots of it. “It’s my daily glam routine,” she says. “Tons of moisturizer on my face.”
4. She wants to be ageless
“If I could have a superpower, I’d want to never age,” she says. “So I could play tennis forever.” Spoken like a true athlete who’s not done yet.
5. Her go-to snack is Blue Diamond almonds
“Almonds with fruit, a smoothie, dried fruit, or yogurt — I love them all,” she says. The protein keeps her energized on and off the court.
6. She loves word games like Scrabble
“I’m obsessed with word games,” Venus shares. “I love anything where you get to be clever and competitive.”
7. Beach volleyball is her second love
“During my beach vacation phase, I was into volleyball,” she admits. It’s her top workout pick after tennis — and let’s be honest, we’d love to see her spike.
8. She’s proudest of being a big sister
Yes, even with all her titles, family comes first. “Being a big sister is my proudest accomplishment,” she says, especially when talking about Serena and her nieces.
9. If not tennis, she’d do track and field
“If I could compete in another sport, it would be track and field,” Venus says. With her athleticism and long stride, it’s easy to imagine her crushing the 400m.
10. Her post-competition ritual is win-dependent
Win or lose, Venus has a plan. “If I win — champagne and dinner. If I lose — sweet treats and cartoons.” Relatable and adorable.
11. She’s toughest on herself
Venus says her most intense competition comes from within. “I’m always trying to beat my best self,” she says. A real sign of a lifelong learner.
12. Her dream meal is in Italy
“My favorite place to eat is Italy,” she says. And who could blame her? Pasta, espresso, and that Mediterranean magic.
13. The most competitive family member? Serena
Without hesitation, she names her younger sister. “Serena,” she says with a smile. “Definitely Serena.”
14. Weekends are for sleep
Even tennis champions like to chill. “My favorite way to spend the weekend? Sleeping in,” she says. A woman after our own hearts.
15. Her nieces call her ‘Auntie Vivi’
Venus lights up when talking about her nieces. “They call me Auntie Vivi,” she shares. “It’s my favorite title.”
16. She still loves playing tournaments
Even with decades on the court, Venus says she would love to “play more tournaments.” That fire? Still burning.
17. Her favorite childhood memory is simple
“Going to the playground,” she recalls fondly. It’s a sweet reminder that before the wins, there was just a little girl who loved to swing and slide.
18. She’s really good at escape rooms
Turns out Venus has nerves of steel. “I’m really good in scary escape rooms,” she says. “I don’t freak out — I figure things out.”
19. Her dream vacation spot is Europe
“I feel very at home there,” she says. Whether it’s the architecture, culture, or food — Venus finds peace across the pond.
20. She’s terrible at basketball
“I’m 6’1”, so everyone expects me to be good at it,” Venus laughs. “But I’m really bad at basketball.” Humble queen.
21. She has a senior dog named Harold
Her little travel buddy is Harold, an 18-year-old pup who’s still full of love. “He’s so sweet,” she says. “We go everywhere together.”
22. Her guilty pleasure? Gummy candies
Gummy bears, gummy worms, gummy whatever. Venus is all in. “I love them,” she says. “That’s my sweet treat.”
23. Her happy place is her mom’s house
“It’s always so warm and cozy there,” Venus says. No matter where she travels, home is where Mom is.
24. Her unwind spot? Her own couch
After all that globetrotting, Venus cherishes the rare days off. “My favorite place to unwind is at home. Just sitting on my own couch feels like a luxury.”
25. Her favorite court is a hard court
Why? “Because the bounce is always true,” she explains. Makes sense for a player who’s all about precision and control.
What We Learned
Venus Williams is more than an athlete — she’s a sister, a dog mom, a word nerd, and someone who still finds joy in the little things. She may dominate the court, but off of it? She’s surprisingly down-to-earth.
And the next time you reach for some almonds, play Scrabble, or crash on your couch with cartoons and gummy worms — just know, you’ve got something in common with Venus.
❓FAQs
What are 5 interesting facts about Venus Williams?
- She had her first job at age 3 delivering phone books.
- She’s obsessed with Blue Diamond almonds.
- She’s really good at escape rooms.
- Her dog Harold is 18 years old.
- She’d choose track and field if not for tennis.
What happened to Venus Williams at 14?
At 14, Venus made her professional tennis debut in 1994, instantly catching the sports world’s attention with her raw power and composure.
What does Venus Williams suffer from?
Venus was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune condition that causes fatigue and joint pain. She’s been vocal about adapting her lifestyle and diet to manage it.
What is Venus Williams’ most famous quote?
One of her best-known quotes is:
“You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.”
It perfectly sums up the resilience and self-trust that defines her journey.
