Venus and Serena Williams weren’t just players in the world of tennis; they were a force to reckon with. Over a career spanning more than two decades, the Williams sisters didn’t just amass titles, they became cultural icons, breaking barriers and paving the way for countless tennis enthusiasts. Their incredible journey is marked not only by their individual triumphs but also by the unbreakable bond they share, a bond that has inspired millions. 

There is no overstating how much Venus Williams paved the way for Serena in her initial days. While they were born in a difference of just 15 months, the role of Venus for Serena had been immense. The “Ghetto Cinderellas”, as named by their father since they grew up playing amid occasional gunfire sounds in Compton, California, turned pro in 1994 and 1995, respectively. As their sisterhood continues to foster, their childhood coach Rick Macci has revealed the love of the elder sister since they were young.

Rick Macci took to his X account on Saturday to highlight the bond the sisters have been sharing since a young age. “She cared more about Serena than herself.  Never saw a sibling take care and make sure her little sister every day was special,” he wrote. He further claimed that Venus knew deep down that Serena would soon become World No.1. “V was getting all the headlines with her Play but knew down the road the little pit bull would be number one Someday.” In an interview with Oprah years ago, Venus had also expressed similar sentiments.

When asked about how she likes playing against Serena, Venus revealed that she cares for her sister even on the court. “There sure is a difference because I always want the best for Serena. As the older sister who took care of her, I still look out for Serena on the court.” Continuing further, she explained how their scenario is different from others. “We’re definitely in a strange situation, one that no other player has been in.”

This statement comes just two after Venus walked down memory lane and posted a picture of the two sisters from their early practicing days. “Throwback to when it all began 💫🎾 @serenawilliams,” she captioned the post. Macci had reshared the post acknowledging that the sisters were the best moments of his life. Their bond was also reflected by Serena as she played her last game in 2022.

Speaking after her farewell match in the third round of the US Open, Serena Williams admitted the role that her sister played in her life. The teary-eyed tennis legend then said, “I wouldn’t be Serena if it wasn’t for Venus.” Meanwhile, as the docuseries, ‘In the Arena: Serena Williams’ on the former world no.1, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, Serena opened up about her ‘rivalry’ with her sister.

‘I didn’t like to compete’: Serena opened up on her rivalry with sister Venus

Speaking after the premiere of the docuseries, Serena Williams revealed how she felt competing against her sister Venus Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam champion admitted that she experienced great difficulty in facing Venus as her opponent, per People. “I didn’t really like it,” Serena said on Thursday.

She further called her sister her best friend, highlighting how challenging it was for her to contest against her sister. “I didn’t like to compete with my best friend. It’s very difficult.” Continuing further, she said, “But some people like it. Some people are like, ‘I want my sibling to go down.’ And I’m like, ‘I want her to win too,’ and so it was very difficult. It was very hard.” The on-court rivalry between the two has remained a treat to the eyes of many.

Serena and Venus faced each other 31 times in their professional career between 1998 and 2020. While the younger sister won 19 of the matches, the elder remained unbeaten in 12 of their encounters. The fans, meanwhile, can once again witness their competitive yet adorable dynamic in the series that is all set to hit the screens on July 10th.