With a straight-sets win against sister Venus in the Australian Open final, Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title on Saturday and eclipsed Steffi Graf. “Honestly, it’s insane”, Williams said after also eclipsing German great Steffi Graf’s modern-day mark of 22 grand slam titles and regaining the world No.1 ranking she’d relinquished last September to German star Angelique Kerber.
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Williams will return to No. 1 after losing the spot in September to Angelique Kerber.
For the ninth time in history, Serena Williams and Venus Williams will play each other in the final of a Grand Slam, this time at the 2017 Australian Open.
The Williamses have a combined age of 71, but in the era of power tennis, Venus and Serena have shown that age is just a number. “Today on the court when they were like, “and No. 1″, I was like, Whoa, really?” “It really feels great”.
“I don’t think I’m chump change either, you know”.
“I’d like to take this moment to congratulate Venus”.
On her title match with Venus, she added: “She’s my toughest opponent, no-one has ever beaten me as much as Venus has”. In particular before this tournament, she worked so hard.
Williams wasn’t at all daunted by the 6-4, 6-4 defeat, a 17th loss in 28 matches played against her 35-year-old sister Serena. Serena seemed in awe of the box and noted that the shoes were in her favorite colors.
The pair committed 21 unforced errors between them in the first five games before settling in somewhat.
“Your win has always been my win”, Venus, 36, told the crowd, who had been pulling for her during the final.
Serena coughed up a lot of unforced errors early in the match as she settled in, but before things were finished it was Venus who had recorded two more – 25-23.
It’s safe to say Serena’s status as one of the greatest tennis players – and athletes, period – of all time is pretty firmly cemented.
Serena was the worst afflicted and she smashed her racket in a rage in the third game, after she slipped behind the baseline when chasing down a ball.
2003: The only time Venus and Serena pulled off such a feat in Australia, with Serena winning the title 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-4. “When I started this journey, I just wanted to win a Grand Slam”.
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“I think that really helps me to be able to relax”. This is a lovely thing. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the year”.
