The tennis world has long seen the imposing, formidable side of fashion guru and former world number one player Venus Williams. Venus Williams is the consummate competitor. The tennis player’s tennis player, Venus has seen it all. And, with a younger sister pushing her all the way, every win and every loss has been subjected to exaggerated hyperbole and criticism. After a while, tennis fans began to think of Venus and Serena as one entity. To real students of the game and to observers of life, Venus Williams stands alone.

Everything about Venus Williams is larger than life. At 6’1”, 159 lbs. and with $22 million in career earnings and sporting lucrative endorsements, the 28 year old can seemingly do whatever she wants. Venus Williams is imposing and she is determined. What most fans fail to realize is that Venus Williams is bright, articulate, glamorous and sensitive.

Following her devastating loss to Carla Suarez Navarro in the 2nd round of the 2009 Australian Open, Venus’s commitment and skills again fell under the questioning eyes of the media. Most media experts wonder if it is time for the elder Williams to hang up her sneakers. Rarely do those experts talk about what Venus has brought to Women’s Tennis. When the tour was struggling with the retirement of many big-time players, Venus was there. Almost single-handedly she put Women’s Tennis on her shoulders and made all players raise the level of play. Thank you, Venus!

January 20th was a big day in the United States. New President Barrack Obama was sworn in during a poignant ceremony. Millions of Americans and millions of black Americans contemplatively celebrated the day and the event. The significance of the day was not missed buy the sensitive Williams. Venus preferred to watch the compelling events of the day live, rather than on tape delay. She made a conscientious choice to view all the day’s events live beginning at 3:00 a.m. Australian time

When Williams took the court against Carla Suarez Navarro, she was filled with emotion and operating on little sleep. However, she had experienced one of her country’s most important moments.

During post match interviews, Venus never referenced her commitment to this moment in history. She had made a private decision and one she would not reverse. She played to the best of her ability, absorbed her stunning defeat and did not second guess, make excuses or, when pressed, did not discuss retirement. There is no quit in Venus Williams. She is a sensitive, serious woman of extreme talent.

Tennis, America and the world will not benefit from the retirement of Venus Williams. There is a lot more to this woman than the game of tennis, but Venus continues to emphasize her love of the game. Rather than look back at the Suarez Navarro match, she looked forward to her doubles match with Serena. That is Venus Williams; always looking ahead, never looking back and performing with the grace, smile and demeanor of a champion. Please Venus, say it ain’t so. Do not leave us now!

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