Carla Suarez Navarro reveals how Venus and Serena Williams supported her during cancer, pays tribute to the 23-time major winner on her retirement
Follow Us
Venus and Serena Williams, Carla Suarez Navarro
Former World No. 6 Carla Suarez Navarro recently opened up on how Venus and Serena Williams stayed in touch with her during her battle with Hodgkin Lymphoma. Navarro was detected with the disease in September 2020 but she made a good recovery to return to the Tour at the 2021 French Open.
Speaking about her battle with cancer, Navarro talked about how the Williams sisters kept checking on her during her treatment and made an effort to show their care for her even after she made a successful return to the Tour.
“She and her sister (Venus). They both cared a lot about me. They asked me every two or three weeks how I was doing. That really surprised me. When I saw them face to face, they remained very interested and told me that they were glad to see me back,” said Navarro speaking with AS.
“Serena Williams changed tennis,”: Carla Suarez Navarro
With Serena retiring at the end of her campaign at the 2022 US Open, Navarro spoke highly of the outgoing American. In their 7 meetings, Navarro didn’t win a single set losing all matches in straight sets. That did not however dampen their off-court relationship as they developed a good friendship.
“A legend is leaving us. I have coincided with her a lot and I have suffered a lot from her as her rival, but I think she changed tennis, put it in a different world focus. Her clothes, everything she did… And then, off the slopes, she has defended us like the best, she has fought for us and we are all very grateful to her.
“It’s not just that anymore. I think I couldn’t beat him in any set for more than four games. For me she was a very, very tough rival. Obviously, in the clashes we had there was everything. In the first ones she imposed a lot and then she started to sweep me off the track.
“In the last ones, I already focused on it badly mentally. Still, she couldn’t hurt her with my game and she was very comfortable. When she came to a tournament and looked at the draw, she tried to know if she was going for me or not, because she eliminated me many times, even when she saw me playing well,” said Navarro further.
Also Read: “Lonely, Repetitive, Unique,” Nick Kyrgios goes out of his way to describe tennis as ‘lonely’
Stay Updated!
Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)