In the 2021 season, an amazing development throughout the tennis world has been athletes stepping up and talking about the importance of mental health. The movement commenced with Naomi Osaka, pulling out from this year’s French Open due to mental health concerns. Now, Venus Williams is shedding light on the crucial subject of mental health.

The 7 time Grand Slam winner talked about how her parents prepared her mentally. Moreover, she’s partnering with WTA and ‘BetterHelp’ to provide $2 million for free therapy.

Venus Williams opened up on mental health

Venus Williams is one of the greatest ever players on the WTA Tour. The American legend recently opened up on the significance of mental health. She is grateful to her parents for preparing her to battle the mental health pressure.

Recently, a biopic ‘King Richard’ starring Will Smith was also released on the journey of Venus and Serena’s father, Richard Williams.

In an interview with The New York Post, she said, “My parents were big proponents of mental health, not just self-care, but proactivity. It was about realizing that the world is a beautiful place, but it’s also a challenging place, and that you have to prepare mentally to be able to handle the pressures.”

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Moreover, the former World No. 1 also conveyed what mental health means to her. She continued, “a place where you have that peace of mind, that happiness, that sense of being free, of having the ability to dream big and go for it.”

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Venus to partner with WTA

Venus Williams has teamed up with the WTA and BetterHelp, an online counseling company, to offer $2 million in free counseling to anyone who wants it. “There are no barriers. You just need a phone or a laptop and access to the Internet,” she quoted.

To step up and acknowledge the importance of mental health shows the kind-hearted side of Venus Williams. Hopefully, her initiative will help a lot of people in need of the counselling that BetterHelp can provide.

ALSO READ: “People Didn’t Understand Him”: Venus Williams Highlights the Real Side of Richard Williams