Venus Williams Transforms the Game with Off-Court Vision
When you think of Venus Williams, you picture the powerful serves and the Grand Slam titles. But in 2015, Williams stepped up in another big way—off the court—by becoming the first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) player to earn a college degree through Indiana University East (IUE). She blazed a trail that’s turned into a real movement inside the world of women’s tennis.
Williams finished her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration while still competing at the highest level. If you’ve ever seen a pro tennis player’s travel schedule, you know that’s no small feat. Between jetting to international tournaments, training, and media appearances, most players barely find time to breathe—let alone study. But Williams made it happen, and her example flipped a switch for others.
How the IUE Program Redefined What’s Possible for Tennis Pros
Since Williams graduated, a total of 24 WTA athletes have completed their studies with IUE’s unique partnership. Among the standout names: Sloane Stephens, who snagged the U.S. Open in 2017, and Kayla Day, set to finish with a psychology degree in 2025. The list also includes Caroline Dolehide, Marie Bouzkova, and several others who’ve found a way to balance world-class sport with academics.
What sets this program apart? Flexibility—plain and simple. The athletes aren’t chained to traditional classroom schedules. They’re offered virtual commencements and the option to walk the stage at tournaments. Picture this: In 2021, Magda Linette, Nicole Melichar, Shelby Rogers, and Teodora Mircic celebrated their hard-earned degrees right in the middle of the Western & Southern Open. Instead of missing out on a major milestone—or skipping a prime tennis event—they got to have both.
This approach solves a problem that’s stumped generations of athletes: how do you keep your education alive while chasing your sport’s toughest goals? Kayla Day summed it up as a ‘dream setup’ for any player wanting to thrive on court and in class.
And the impact of this trend is clear. More players are now seeing education as an essential piece of their journey, not just a backup plan. It’s a quiet revolution, shaping what it means to be a modern athlete—and it’s thanks in large part to Venus Williams, who showed everyone that a champion’s mindset works just as well in the classroom as it does under stadium lights.