Sara Errani: Which Venus Williams Victory Stopped Her Father From Putting Grand Slam Glory on Pedestal?

The Italian duo Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani will lock horns with Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova in the finals of the doubles event at the 2024 French Open. Paolini will be looking forward to getting over her disappointment in the singles event with a victory in the doubles final. This is Sara Errani’s first major double final in nearly ten years. The 37-year-old tennis star from Bologna comes up with a vast experience in doubles. She made her pro debut in 2002 and has won five Grand Slam titles in the doubles event. But which moment in her illustrious 22-year-long career stands tall in the memories of her father?

Well, surprisingly her father, Giorgio Errani has a different pick! During an interview from 2016, her father revealed that her daughter’s epic fight against Venus Williams at the 2014 US Open is the best moment in her career according to him. He said, “We were so lucky there have been more than just one, and I don’t want to rate them. I’d say above all, we were the luckiest to witness the 2012 Roland Garros semifinals and finals directly from the stands.” Giorgio Errani went on to add, “Also, I should mention the 2014 US Open 3rd Round against Venus Williams… I’m pretty sure that my heart is able to survive any ache after that!“

In that match, Errani survived a back-and-forth battle against the American tennis star and won the third-round match by 6-0,0-6,7-6(5). The Italian previously won just 12 games in their three meeting with the 7-time Grand Slam champion. But in that match, she completely outclassed Venus Williams in the first set. Although ‘Queen V‘ made a strong comeback in the next, it was Errani who had the last laugh. 

After the match during the on-court interview, Sara Errani said, “I think I will remember forever that moment. Even if I won the first set 6-love, she’s (Venus Williams) an amazing player. I really don’t know how I won today.” She said she was ready to give it all in that fight in the middle of strong support for Williams from the stands.

If we look at their numbers, Venus Williams has won 49 singles titles in her career but Sara Errani has managed to win just 9 titles so far. Yet, she has a close margin with Williams when it comes to their H2H. Currently, Venus Williams leads the H2H y 3-2. Their last meeting was at the 2021 AO.

The moment when Sara Errani was surprised by Venus Williams’ never-give-up attitude

The 2021 Australian Open witnessed a heartbreaking end to Venus Williams’ campaign. She rolled her ankle and got herself injured in the seventh game against Sara Errani. There were injuries on her left knee too! She was seen struggling with pain and the match was halted for a prolonged time and Williams was attended to by a medical team. Everyone inside the stadium thought she would retire hurt, but giving up is not in her nature! She stood up with a heavily strapped knee and ankle and finished the match with a 6-1,6-0 loss in 75 minutes against the Italian. But her grit, determination, and love for the sport didn’t go unnoticed by her opponents.

After the match, Sara Errani said, “I’m not happy to win like that, I’m so sad for her. It isn’t easy playing someone injured.” She further went on to showcase her concern for the tennis legend stating, “I thought she would retire, because she wasn’t running. She was walking badly. I was worrying about her more than thinking about how I should play. I was thinking, ‘Who knows? Maybe at a certain point, she’ll say enough is enough.’ But instead, she continued right up until the end.”

Share your thoughts on this rivalry between Venus Williams and Sara Errani.