Venus Williams, 44, reveals she will continue playing tennis to avoid aging and talks about how a rare autoimmune disease has taken a toll on her body

She is a former number one in singles and doubles and has won seven Grand Slam titles.

And now Venus Williams has revealed that she will continue playing tennis not only to “look good” but also to not age so quickly.

Ms Williams, 44, the older sister of 42-year-old Serena Williams, has won five Grand Slam singles titles at Wimbledon and two at the US Open since the start of her career.

Considered one of the greatest gamers of all time, she revealed as cover star of the October issue of Harper's Bazaar that she has no plans to slow down.

Ms Williams, 44, the older sister of Serena Williams, 42, has won five Grand Slam singles titles at Wimbledon and two at the US Open since the start of her career.

She said: “I've never been close to burnout, even though I said last week that I needed a permanent vacation! But I overdid it with my schedule for a few months.”

“That was my decision. We don't always have a choice, but rest periods are so important.”

“I lift weights and swim at an Olympic-sized public pool near my pine-tree-surrounded home in Florida.”

“I still train, not every day like before, but I always have to be on the pitch.

“It's a wonderful way to stay fit, burn calories and get great legs and arms! If you want to look good, play tennis. It doesn't look like work, but it's hard work.”

“I will do that as long as I have cartilage.”

“If I keep playing, hopefully the aging process won’t set in.”

Ms. Williams announced in 2011 after her elimination from the US Open that she was suffering from Sjögren's disease.

Considered one of the greatest gamers of all time, she revealed on the cover of the October issue of Harper's Bazaar that she has no plans to slow down.

She said: “I've never been close to burnout, even though I said last week that I needed a permanent vacation! But I was too hard on my schedule for a few months.”

“I do weightlifting and swim in an Olympic-sized public pool near my house, surrounded by pine trees in Florida. I still train, not every day like I used to, but I'll always have to be on the court.”

In this disease, antibodies attack the body's moisture-producing glands, causing dryness on and in the body.

In rare cases, complications of Sjögren's syndrome can lead to salivary gland infections, kidney problems, ulcers, or pancreatitis.

She told Harper's Bazaar about her life with the disease: “I had all kinds of symptoms, but it was a big challenge for me as an athlete.

“When you fall, you're so hard that you literally can't get up. But I got up anyway because I had to.”

“Lying in bed is no fun. There is no substitute for well-being. I had to change my pace.”

Ms. Williams announced in 2011 after her elimination from the US Open that she was suffering from Sjögren's disease.

The disease causes antibodies to attack the body's moisture-producing glands, resulting in dryness on and in the body.

She told Harper's Bazaar about her life with the disease: “I had all kinds of symptoms, but it was a big challenge for me as an athlete.

“It took seven years for me to get the diagnosis.

It was a trip. I didn't reach my full potential and I didn't know why.

“Did I work too hard? What did I do wrong?

“It takes its toll and it's not easy to go out there when you don't have much to give.”

The October issue of Harper's Bazaar UK will be on sale from 12 September