In 1998 Google formed, Sex and the City came to our televisions, Frank Sinatra died and Serena and Venus Williams began one of the most remarkable sporting tales when they did battle for the first time at the Australian Open.
Although they were probably not aware of it at the time, they were about to usher in a new era of power and athleticism that has arguably not been surmounted to this day.
Back then the 17-year-old Venus defeated 16-year-old Serena 7-6 6-1 in the second round Down Under. It’s fair to say that a fair amount has changed since then.
They achieved a modicum (kidding) of success, winning 30 singles grand slams between them. Both have been ranked number one and have achieved pretty much everything you can in the sport.
Now, for the 30th time, these two all-time greats are ready to lock horns in the third round of this year’s US Open.
Their previous meeting was in the final of the 2017 Australian Open, which Serena won 6-4 6-4 when she was eight weeks pregnant. After beating Camila Giorgi 6-4 7-5 in the second round, the 17th-ranked Venus fired a playful jibe at her younger sibling.
“The last time we played the Australian, it was two-against-one,” she said laughing. “So at least this time it will be fair.”
(Kyodo)
The 26th-ranked Serena, who is chasing a record-equalling 24th grand slam, beat German Carina Witthoft 6-2 6-2. Venus has been on the court for around two hours longer and has lost more than double the number of games Serena has so far.
Although this is one of the greatest rivalries in the women’s game, the six-time US Open champion seemed almost uninterested about the upcoming contest.
“I wouldn’t say it’s exciting, but it’s definitely going to be a really tough match for me,” she said. “Once again, it’s early in the tournament. You know, it is what it is.”
I and many others would beg to differ.
Sure, the 36-year-old has not lost in a grand slam to the 38-year-old since the 2008 Wimbledon final, but these are the two biggest names in women’s tennis. Some say geology specialists study plate tectonics when these two juggernauts meet.
Who helped make all of this possible? Their father, Richard Williams, of course. Reportedly the former sharecropper saw a tennis match on TV and was taken aback at the size of the cheque being handed to the winner, so he decided to teach himself and master this craft through his daughters.
(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
He wrote a 78-page plan, bought a lorry-load of tennis balls and got Serena and Venus playing the sport in Compton, Los Angeles, when they were around three and four years of age. As they say, the rest is history.
Yes, you could argue that this is a very good time for Venus, who won the tournament way back in 2000 and 2001, to play Serena and that she will have to serve big, keep Serena running around the court and return well to have a chance of winning. But if Serena can rekindle her Wimbledon form, this will be somewhat out of Venus’s hands.
But to some the result is almost irrelevant. This is sort of a family celebration. Just thinking about what they have achieved is extraordinary.
Although so much has changed over the years, including all the different hairstyles, outfits and opponents, some things will always stay the same.
How does the New York crowd react? One point they cheer for Serena, the next for Venus?
Ultimately, we are lucky to have them, whoever one you cheer for.
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