Today Venus Williams enjoys the presence of her name in the elite list of the greatest players of all time. However, her greatness isn’t a newfound one. Ever since the start of her career, Williams has been touching one height after the other. Going back in time, Venus signed her first five-year contract with Reebok in 1995 for $12 million.

However, not willing to settle for $12 million, Williams left no stone unturned to prove her worth in the next five years. The result? By the end of her five year contract, 20-year-old Venus was a two time Grand Slam champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and the World No. 3. Venus quickly matched her greatness by re-signing her contract with Reebok, this time for a whopping $40 million! However, despite the deal, it was Venus’s conversation with President Bill Clinton that became the talk of the town.

Venus Williams and her request to Bill Clinton

Checking the facts, during that time, the $40 million deal between Venus Williams and Reebok was reportedly the richest endorsement deal ever for a female athlete. Following Venus was then world No. 1 Martina Hingis who reportedly had a $30 million deal with Nike.

Signing the contract, Venus said, “This is another part of reaching out for my dreams.” “I have to be the best in everything I do,” she further added.

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In 2000, the then World No. 3 won her first ever major title at the Wimbledon Championship. Following the win at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club was another win at the Flushing Meadows i.e. US Open. While the American youngster was gathering praises from around the world, her biggest moment came in when she received a call from then President of the United States, Bill Clinton.

Speaking further after her $40 million deal with Reebok, Venus recalled her conversation with President Clinton. Steadily climbing the ladder of success, Venus told Clinton, “Lower My Taxes.”

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2000 also had Bill Clinton in his final year. He was succeeded by George W. Bush as the next president of the United States. Going further in the conversation, Venus was suggested that she might need to have a word about taxes with Bush as well. To which, the 20-year-old ended by saying, “My people will have lunch with his people.”