Serena and Venus Williams are the brightest planets in the tennis galaxy. It is fitting that these two women represent American hopes at Roland Garros, in this second decade of the 21st Century.
This is a story that speaks of what is possible. The American system is often derided but if it throws up people like the Williamses it cannot be all bad.
Ranked 1 and 2, the sisters have been playing for fifteen years on a tour that can be both bitchy and bewitching.
The women’s tour has been more watchable than the men’s for over a decade. We have Henin, Sharapova and Stosur to keep the Williams’ honest. No other siblings, in any sport, have both been ranked number 1.
In 1999 Serena beat Martina Hingis in the US Open final, becoming the first African-American woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Althea Gibson’s victory in the 1957 US Open. Fittingly it was in the Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows, as Arthur was the last African-American to win a major (in 1975 at Wimbledon).
Equal prize money at the French Open for both men and women is an indication of the quality of women’s tennis.
The winner gets 1.12 million Euro. The other majors follow suit and it is no longer justifiable to dismiss the women’s tour as “hit and giggle”. The sisters have taken tennis to the next level in terms of athleticism and intensity. Their strokes intimidate most players and nearly all lineswomen. The only one they cannot outstare is Hawkeye.
Coached by their extrovert father, the two sisters have 43 major titles between them including 19 in singles and 22 doubles.
They have dominated women’s tennis in the last decade as no others have done in the history of the game. There have been periods of disinterest and injuries that have allowed shooting stars like Clisjters and Jankovic to dominate sporadically. But when fit and motivated, the others make up the supporting cast.
Serena and Venus possess a serve that many male players would love to call their own; regularly clocking 200 plus kmh.
Venus has a forehand that is simple as it is explosive. It is hit with all the ferocity of a race expressing its freedom. Serena’s two-fisted backhand stuns like a water cannon.
These are two supremely talented and dedicated athletes. With all their millions they still train with the hunger of their early childhood. There is a lesson here for all the youngsters cocooned in their middle-class comfort and sense of entitlement. Sport only owes you what you deserve.
It is nine years since the sisters were ranked 1 and 2 at a major championship. This French Open could see them meet in a Grand Slam final for the first time since Wimbledon 2009.
There is a rivalry between the two that goes beyond sibling. Venus is the introverted, almost school-marmish, brooding athlete who can be too hard on herself. Serena on the other hand is as extroverted as Tom Jones around flying underwear.
Henin or Stosur could yet derail Serena. But Serena will have to be playing poorly and the other two have to be playing at their peak. Such is the disparity in talent between the Williams’ and the other hopefuls.
The Williams sisters are that rarest breed of people, for it is not the sport that defines them, but they define the sport. Think Jack Nicklaus with golf, Muhammad Ali with boxing, Babe Ruth with baseball, and Bradman with cricket.
Can you see anyone beating them but themselves?
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