Venus Williams didn't let a little Sjogren's Syndrome get in her way at the first women's singles match of the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne yesterday.
No, no, she showed that disorder who was boss and whooped Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm in a 77 minute-long short match (6-0, 6-3).
The 31 year-old hasn't played a tournament in six months.
Rust, fatigue, and mercy were the only things that lacked in the multiple Grand Slam champion's grunt-laden comeback, though.
Williams told ESPN "just being here was a win; told myself going into this: this is a win. Just to train and get back at this level."
Oh, stop being modest, Venus... you know as much as we do: you're a certified beast. Get it, girl.
The autoimmune condition that she was diagnosed with last summer didn't make so much as an appearance to the Wednesday afternoon match. We must note, though, that symptoms include fatigue and chronic joint pain.
"I've never considered retirement," she told The Miami Herald on her reaction to the diagnosis.
Williams' rank dropped to No. 134 from her six-month hiatus but she was lucky enough to enter the main draw of the Sony Ericsson Open on a wild card. Even more power to her.
Her next opponent may pose a bigger threat to her sure-to-be Sony success: Petra Kvitova, who currently ranks No. 3 in the world.
Then again, maybe it won't be a threat at all. Ancient Greek goddesses work in mysterious ways.
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