Serena Takes U.S. Open Match, Career Edge Vs. Sister Venus

September 4, 2008

The popularity of Venus and Serena Williams has always been a mystery to me. I don’t like their styles of play, their styles of dress, their relationship with the media and public, their father or the fact that early in their careers they’d seemingly do just about anything not to have to play each other.

Venus & Serena Williams

And I’m not the only one who thought it was odd when the Williams sisters returned from injuries or other breaks from the game that their respective bodies seemed to drastically change.

But through the years, I have softened a little on the sisters, and there’s one strong reason.

In recent years, when they’ve met in competition, they’re extraordinarily athletic and they entertain.

The most recent example occurred Sept. 4 in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., Serena beat her older sister to give her a 9-8 record against Venus in pro matches and a 6-5 in Grand Slam events. In all, Serena outscored Venus, 101-98.

The competition between the sisters and their evenly matched talents is unique. And I’ll give the Williams that. They’re sisters, they have to play each other and they’re now making the best of it.