Venus Williams hasn’t won at Wimbledon in six years, but the five-time champion is still able to attract plenty of attention.
On the same day that the 34-year-old won her first singles match at the All England Club since 2011, ESPN released photos of Williams in the nude, which will appear in the sixth edition of ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
“It didn’t dawn on me until right when I walked on set that I would have to be without clothes,” Williams told ESPN. “If I would have thought about it before, there may have been a little less of a chance.”
Williams has been slowed in recent years following the diagnosis that she suffers from Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes fatigue.
During her first-round match, in which she defeated Maria Teresa Torro-Flor in three sets, broadcaster and Hall of Famer Chris Evert was torn about the photos, which were displayed on the telecast.
“I have to admit, I’m kind of questionable about the whole issue, but I think Venus looked great,” Evert said.
Sixth-ranked Tomas Berdych, a Wimbledon men’s finalist in 2010, also will be featured in the issue.