Williams’ sisters were only rivals when they would clash on the court. The two stars have encountered each other 31 times, with nine matches in Grand Slam finals. Serena and Venus Williams always showed their competitive side on the court. While their sisterhood is rock solid, the 23 Grand Slam winner recalls how her debut Melbourne Slam victory came up with a great realization about her sister Venus Williams.
Appearing on First We Feast’s Hot Ones, Williams turned back time to discuss her glorious career. She recalled the 2003 Australian Open, where she had to face Venus Williams in the final, after defeating Kim Clijsters by 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Although she has competed in several challenging matches, the final was her life’s most intense match. “I mean goodness 2003 but that final was so huge because it was the first time I could win four grand slams in a row which would be dubbed as a Serena slam.”
While Williams called it “tough” she mentioned how her elder sister “played really really really well”, which makes her think that “she should have won.” The 23 Grand Slam winner further recalled her elder sister missing a shot that “she wouldn’t have missed in any other match any other setting,” and Williams was left flabbergasted, wondering how Queen V of all players could miss it.
This match was special to her because she had won all slams except for the Australian Open, with her elder sister standing in the way of her Career Slam. This 23 Grand Slam winner won the first set tense tiebreak 7-6(4), with Venus putting herself on a comeback in the second set by 6-3. However, Serena had tunnel vision for the trophy. She would win the third set 6-4 and completed her dream Serena Slam at 20.
While the moment was really “really emotional “ for Williams, her elder sister revealed that she wasn’t very happy losing the slam to her sister. As she delved into her reasons, it showed the warrior spirit internalized by the two players.
Venus Williams says “It’s just never fun” to lose a Grand Slam against anyone
For Serena Williams, her Australian Open 2003 win brought her a career Grand Slam. That is why her debut Melbourne Slam remains special. However, her elder sister, Venus Williams, was not pleased with the results at all. “I don’t like losing altogether, so if it was Serena or any other player. It’s just never fun. I’m never going to the finals, saying, “Yes, I’m losing today.”“
For her, the only acceptable circumstance is a victory, nothing more. “I’m going with the attitude I’m going to go out there, do my best and try to take the title. That’s definitely my attitude going on to the court every time, is positive,” Venus Williams said.
Serena Williams’ statement about her elder sister’s credibility to win the Australian Open 2003 finals showed how carefully she observed the latter’s playstyle. Following her story, it seemed that Serena Williams had to play hard to secure that win as her sister wasn’t an easy game on the court.