Kiwi tennis star Michael Venus played for the memory of his late father and number one fan in the emotional and historic shot at a Grand Slam title.
An evocative storyline sits behind Venus’ bid to lift the men’s doubles trophy at the French Open in the early hours of tomorrow morning (NZ time).
Not only is Venus the first New Zealander to have a chance of winning a Grand Slam title in 38 years – since Judy Chaloner won the 1979 women’s doubles title at the Australian Open with Diane Evers – but the biggest game of the 29-year-old Aucklander’s career comes a year after the death of his beloved father, Venus’ number one fan.
David Venus cause of death: What happened to Michael Venus father?
Michael Venus’s father, David Venus, died of cancer on April 21, last year. The fact that he was able to attend Michael’s victory in the men’s doubles at the ASB Classic in Auckland three months earlier was a significant event for the family.
While Michael will not be able to look up and see his father in the players’ box again, David’s memory will be there to help spur on what would be a historic achievement not only for Kiwi tennis, but for New Zealand sport as a whole.
