Yes, it was painful to watch Venus go down meekly to defeat yesterday. She had no energy. The effects of sjogren's syndrome were painfully visible. I have to agree that the disease seems to be bringing own the curtain on her hall-of-fame, all-time-great career. Of course, Venus is having none of the retirement talk. But her recent results make it hard not to wonder if she should walk away.

Catholicwhitneyfan: Sjogren's is incurable but manageable. It's a feat for Venus even to attempt to maintain a professional athletic career with the condition. But I also understand that the symptoms eventually subside and can go away altogether. That may be why she's holding out hope and sticking with the game. But she's also getting older all the while. In short, time is not on her side. Still, I hope the tennis commentariat and fans don't try to rush her out the the game, with all the talk of retirement. A champion of her caliber should be allowed to exit on her on terms and when she's fully ready.