Photo credit: Lukas Coch/AAP Image
It’s a win for the Williams family! Today, Serena Williams faced her toughest opponent in the Australian Open final: her older sister Venus. Serena defeated Venus 6-4, 6-4, to win her 23rd major singles title, which is more than any other female and male tennis player in the history of the Open Era.
For the two of them, being able to play each other again in a grand slam final (something they have not done since 2009) was a dream come true. Here are a few of the many times that Venus and Serena have shown us all that when one sister wins, the other wins too.
Venus and Serena Williams after winning their first grand slam doubles title at the 1999 French Open.
The sisters at the 2003 Australian Open. Serena won 7–6, 7–4.
Venus and Serena at Wimbledon in 2008. Venus won 7–5, 6–4.
Serena hugging Venus after she won their quarter-final at the 2015 U.S. Open.
Photo credit: Tim Ireland/Associated Press
Serena and Venus after winning Wimbledon doubles titles in 2016.
Photo credit: Tracey Nearmey / EPA
Hugging Venus after her historic victory today, Serena said of her sister: “I really would like to take this moment to congratulate Venus, she’s an amazing person — she’s my inspiration. The only reason I stand here today, the only reason the Williams sisters exist.”
“There’s no way I would be at 23 without her — there’s no way I would be at one without her. Thank you Venus for inspiring me to be the best player I can be. Every time you won this week, I felt like I got a win too.”
Yessss! Thank you both for being such a great inspiration on and off the court. Congratulations, Queens!