Venus Ebony Starr Williams is one of the most successful women ever to play tennis. She is a former World No. 1, and has always been a serious threat to her opponents. Her life is not just tennis though; she wrote a book, and has a successful interior design company and fashion. She is considered to be among the most powerful women in America. Williams was born in Los Angeles in 1980. She started playing tennis from a very young age with her four sisters. Her father recognized that both Venus and her little sister Serena were outstanding players. By the time she was 13, major sports companies were offering her sponsorship deals. She turned pro at 14 and nearly beat the world number 2 in her debut tournament. Venus made it to the final at