via Getty
Serena Williams of The United States is congratulated by her sister and opponant Venus Williams of The United States following their ladies singles third round match on Day Five of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
via Getty
Serena Williams of The United States is congratulated by her sister and opponant Venus Williams of The United States following their ladies singles third round match on Day Five of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
If there’s one pair that has taken the sport of tennis to another level over the past four decades, it’s definitely of the powerful sisters. Serena Williams and Venus Williams are not just legends but inspirations for every young tennis fan. Interestingly, today marks the beginning of their unique rivalry on the court.
On this day, in 1998, Venus (17) and Serena (16) Williams played their first professional match against each other in the second round of the @AustralianOpen.
Venus won 7–6(4), 6–1. This began a sibling tennis rivalry that now spans four decades. #tennis #legends #servingIUP pic.twitter.com/dzngkwYKu1
— Serving It Up (@Serving_It_Up) January 21, 2021
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Today, 23 years ago, the world saw Serena and Venus competing against each other for the first time in a professional match. It was at the second round of the Australian Open 1998.
Venus Williams emerged as the winner after she defeated her younger sister in straight sets, with the final scoreline reading 7-6, 6-1.
Both the sisters were teenagers at that time. Venus was 17 while Serena was just 16 when this match took place in Australia. The rivalry has been going since then and has spanned over four decades now.
The two have dominated the sport since then. Today, Serena has 23 Grand Slam titles while Venus also has 7 Grand Slams to her name. Playing together, the pair has 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals to date.
Read More: When Serena Williams and Venus Williams lost to a male tennis player at the Australian Open
Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams: A rivalry to remember
Although both the sisters are famous for playing together, they have also enjoyed an intense rivalry over the past 23 years.
via Getty
Serena Williams (L) and Venus Williams touch rackets after Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 during Top Seed Open – Day 4 at the Top Seed Tennis Club on August 13, 2020, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The two Americans have faced each other a total of 30 times, and Serena maintains the upper hand at the moment. Out of the 30 meetings, Serena won on 18 occasions, while Venus was able to win only 12 times.
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The 2002-03 season was a period when the two sisters completely hegemonized the sport. They played four back-to-back finals at each Grand Slam and surprisingly, Serena won all four of them.
Their last meeting came at the Rome Masters 2019 where Venus was able to conquer Serena.
The sisters will begin their 2021 campaign at the Australian Open 2021. While Venus is 40 and will be looking to give her best, Serena will definitely be eyeing her 24th Grand Slam title in Melbourne. Will Serena be able to win a Grand Slam after 4 years?
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Also Read: Serena Williams and Venus Williams start training in Adelaide ahead of the Australian Open 2021
