The Australian Open: Birthplace Of One Of The Greatest Sibling Rivalries In Sport - UBITENNIS
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The Australian Open: Birthplace Of One Of The Greatest Sibling Rivalries In Sport

By Adam Addicott
6 Min Read
Venus and Serena Williams pictured at the 1998 Australian Open. (image via heraldsun.com.au).

In 1998 a second round match between two teenagers was the start of something special, even those witnessing the match experienced goosebumps. 17-year-old Venus Williams faced a showdown with 16-year-old sister Serena. It ended with a standard straight set victory for Venus, but it was only the start of something bigger brewing.

“’I always knew that Serena would be my main nemesis one day.” A young Venus told media ahead of her second round showdown in 1998.

Venus wasn’t wrong. Since her 7-6(4), 6-1, triumph in 98, she has battled against her sister on the tour for almost 20 years. Between 2001-2009, they faced each other eight times in grand slam finals with Serena winning six of those. Overall, they have played each other 27 times on the tour with the younger sister (Serena) coming out on top more frequently with 16 wins.

“When I’m playing on the court with her, I think I’m playing the best competitor in the game. I don’t think I’m chump change either. I can compete against any odds. No matter what, I get out there and I compete.” Venus recently said about playing her sister.

The significance of the rivalry is also one that has impacted on the popularity of the women’s game in America. Their clash in the final of the 2001 US Open was hailed as a ratings success, attracting twice as many viewers than the Notre Dame-Nebraska college football game broadcasted at the same time. Their rivalry has also inspired other players, who became future grand slam champions themselves.

“When I was 4 or 5, I turned on the TV, and they (the Williams sisters) were playing,” French Open champion Muguruza told the New York Times in 2015.
“Today, I turn the TV on, and they are still playing.
“So I am saying, how is this possible?”

In recent years the disparity between the sisters grew on the tour. As Serena thrived at the top by clinching numerous grand slam trophies, Venus found it much harder on the tour. A diagnosis of Sjögrens Syndrome in 2011 raised apprehensions about her future in tennis. Nevertheless, the determination of the 36-year-old enabled her to overcome the adversity. It is for this reason why their latest clash in Saturday’s Australian Open final is the pinnacle of their infamous encounters.

“This is probably the moment of our careers so far,” Serena told reporters on Thursday. “For me, I can definitely say for me.
“I never lost hope for us being able to play each other in a (grand slam) final, although it was hard because we’re usually on the same side of the draw.”

The Williams sisters are a rare breed in the world of sport. Together they have 14 won major doubles titles and apart they have been making headlines with a rivalry spanning over three decades.

Serena and Venus continue to defy the odds of age on the tour, which is why meeting No.29 in Melbourne will be one for tennis fans to savour.

The Williams sisters: Previous matches

  1. 1998 Australian Open Round of 64: Venus def. Serena 7-6(4), 6-1
  2. 1998 Rome Masters Quarterfinals: Venus def. Serena 6-4, 6-2
  3. 1999 Miami Masters Final: Venus def. Serena 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
  4. 1999 Grand Slam Cup Final: Serena def. Venus 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
  5. 2000 Wimbledon Semifinals: Venus def. Serena 6-2, 7-6
  6. 2001 Indian Wells Semifinals: Serena def. Venus via walkover
  7. 2001 US Open Final: Venus def. Serena 6-2, 6-4
  8. 2002 Miami Masters Semifinals: Serena def. Venus 6-2, 6-2
  9. 2002 French Open Final: Serena def. Venus 7-5, 6-3
  10. 2002 Wimbledon Final: Serena def. Venus 7-6(4), 6-3
  11. 2002 US Open Final: Serena def. Venus 6-4, 6-3
  12. 2003 Australian Open Final: Serena def. Venus 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4
  13. 2003 Wimbledon Final: Serena def. Venus 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
  14. 2005 Miami Masters Quarterfinals: Venus def. Serena 6-1, 7-6(8)
  15. 2005 US Open Round of 16: Venus def. Serena 7-6(5), 6-2
  16. 2008 Bangalore Open Semifinals: Serena def. Venus 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4)
  17. 2008 Wimbledon Final: Venus def. Serena 7-5, 6-4
  18. 2008 US Open Quarterfinals: Serena def. Venus 7-6(6), 7-6(7)
  19. 2008 WTA Championships Round Robin: Serena def. Venus 5-7, 6-1, 6-0
  20. 2009 Dubai Semifinals: Venus def. Serena 6-1, 2-6, 7-6(3)
  21. 2009 Miami Masters Semifinals: Serena def. Venus 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
  22. 2009 Wimbledon Final: Serena def. Venus 7-6(3), 6-2
  23. 2009 WTA Championships Round Robin: Venus def. Serena 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(4)
  24. 2009 WTA Championships Final: Serena def. Venus 6-2, 7-6(4)
  25. 2013 Charleston Semifinals: Serena def. Venus 6-1, 6-2
  26. 2014 Canadian Masters Semifinals: Venus def. Serena 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-3
  27. 2015 Wimbledon Round of 16: Serena def. Venus 6-4, 6-3
  28. 2015 US Open Quarterfinals: Serena def. Venus 6-2, 1-6, 6-3
  29. 2017 Australian Open final: ??????

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