Williams Sisters rivalry
Encyclopedia
Venus Williams
and Serena Williams
are professional tennis players and sisters who have played numerous times in Grand Slam
finals. The current head to head record between the two is 13-10, in Serena's favor. They have met in a total of eight Grand Slam finals (with Serena leading Venus 6-2), ahead of seven finals played by Steffi Graf
and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
and by Helen Wills Moody
and Helen Jacobs
but well behind the record of fourteen finals set by Chris Evert
and Martina Navratilova. The two sisters' most recent Grand Slam matches were played in the 2008 and 2009 final at Wimbledon and the 2008 quarterfinals of the US Open.
Both Williams sisters have been ranked World No. 1 in their career. Venus has been top ranked for a total of 11 weeks, beginning in February 2002. Serena has been top ranked for a total of 123 weeks, beginning in July 2002. Serena is the current World No. 12 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. The Williams Sisters are the only two women during the open era to play each other in four consecutive Grand Slam finals.
Currently Venus has 43 career tennis titles (singles), while Serena has 39.
. Venus won 7–6(4), 6–1, although the match was described as "subpar". They played again in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open, the first clay court
tournament of Serena's career, which Venus won 6–4, 6–2. Together they won two doubles titles.
Their next match was almost a year later in the final of the Lipton International Players Championships in Key Biscayne, Florida
. Serena was coming off her first two tournament titles, but Venus won the match 6–1, 4–6, 6–4. The match was the first singles final between sisters on the Women's Tennis Association
tour and was described by their father as a "bullfight". Serena won her first professional singles match against Venus later that year in the final of the Grand Slam Cup
. Serena was coming off her first Grand Slam
championship at the US Open and defeated her older sister, and defending champion, 6–1, 3–6, 6–3. Venus was the only top player up to this point that Serena had not yet defeated. Together, they won three doubles titles, two of them being majors; French Open & U.S Open.
Entering their next match in the semifinals of Wimbledon
in 2000 (their first match against each other on grass), Serena was the favorite. However, the victory went to Venus 6–2, 7–6(3), who would go on to win the Wimbledon trophy for her first Grand Slam singles title. They teamed up to win the doubles title and later the Olympics Gold Medal. Venus's career advantage now stood at 4–1.
In the spring at the Tennis Masters Series in Indian Wells, California
, amid controversy Venus withdrew before her scheduled semifinal match against Serena. The Williams family was accused of match-fixing, but the accusation was dismissed by most, including Andre Agassi
who called it "ridiculous". Serena won the final against Kim Clijsters
amid boos, during both the match and the subsequent trophy presentation.
The only match between the Williams sisters during 2001 occurred in the final of the US Open, where they had never met but where both had previously won singles titles. This was the first final involving sisters at a Grand Slam
tournament during the open era and the first since the Watson sisters played in the 1884 Wimbledon final. This match has been described as arguably "the most-anticipated tennis final in years". However, nerves seem to have played a factor in the match, which was won easily by Venus 6–2, 6–4. Noted journalist Peter Bodo
has said that this first Grand Slam final played between the Williams sisters was "really a pretty lousy match,.. even though it was a great performance by the winner." With the victory, Venus now led their rivalry 5–1 and in Grand Slam singles titles 4–1.
Their first meeting of the year occurred in the semifinals at the NASDAQ-100 Open. Serena won the match 6-2, 6-2, only the second victory over her sister in her career and the first since 1999. Venus's loss was described as "listless" and it ended her streak of 22 consecutive matches and three consecutive titles at the event.
Their next meeting was their second in a Grand Slam final, but their first on clay courts. At Roland Garros Serena beat Venus in a "tight" match 7-5, 6-3. The Grand Slam was the first for Serena in three years, and it was the first final at the French Open ever played by sisters. By reaching the final, Venus and Serena assured themselves of moving up to first and second in the world rankings, respectively.
One month later, the Williams sisters again met in a Grand Slam final, at Wimbledon. Again, Serena was the victor 7–6(4), 6–3 and the win moved Serena past her sister to the top of the rankings. Venus still led 5-4 in their head-to-head and 4-3 in Grand Slams, but it was now Serena who was seen as the player "now setting the agenda for women's tennis". They won the doubles title together.
Their fourth and last match of the year occurred in the final at the US Open, in a match were the victor would take not only the trophy but the No.1 ranking as well. Serena won the match 6–4, 6–3 with a "blistering" display of tennis.
and Wimbledon
finals.
The first match of 2003 contested between the Williams sisters was the first final between the two players at the Australian Open
but the fourth consecutive at the majors. Serena won the match 7–6(4), 3–6, 6–4, the closest contested match between them since 1999. The win completed what has become popularly known as the "Serena Slam"; Serena Williams became the first player since Steffi Graf
to hold all four Grand Slams at the same time. In addition Venus Williams became the first player since Martina Hingis
in 1997 to make four consecutive Grand Slam finals, and the sisters together became the first players in the open era to contest four consecutive finals at the majors. Together they won the doubles title.
This consistent play at recent Grand Slams led some to remark that the Williams sisters had a stranglehold on women's tennis.
The Williams sisters next met in a repeat of the 2002 Wimbledon final. Again the match was close but Serena, aided by an abdominal injury that negatively impacted Venus's speed, won 4–6, 6–4, 6–2. The win was the second consecutive at Wimbledon for Serena and her fifth out the last six. Additionally, the Williams sisters collectively had now won the last four Wimbledon titles and seven of the last nine Grand Slams. Serena Williams had now won their last six consecutive meetings, and led the head-to-head 7-5.
The Wimbledon final was the last Grand Slam final contested between the two for five years. Both sisters would be knocked off the tour by injuries, and then have to contend with the death of Yetunde Price
, their half sister.
Their first match of 2005 was in the quarterfinals of the NASDAQ-100 Open, their third career meeting at the tournament. The match was won by Venus Williams 6–1, 7–6(8); it was the first meeting outside of a final between the two in three years and was the first win by the elder Williams sister in four years.
The Williams sisters next met on one of the largest stages in tennis, the US Open, though much earlier in the tournament than they were accustomed to. Venus, as the recent Wimbledon
champion and after three "magnificent efforts" to reach this round was perhaps favored in a Williams head-to-head for the first time in a few years . In the fourth round, their earliest meeting in a Grand Slam since their very first at the Australian Open
in 1999 Venus Williams won 7–6(5), 6–2. Venus would lose in the quarterfinals 4-6 7-5 6-1 to eventual champion Kim Clijsters
, the first time since the 1998 Rome meeting that the winner of a Williams sisters match-up did not win the title.
At the close of the year, after the first year since 2000 in which Serena was unable to win a match against her older sister, Venus Williams had now tied the head-to-head 7-7.
. There were positive results though, as in 2007 when Serena won the Australian Open
and Venus won Wimbledon
.
The first meeting in 2008 between the sisters occurred at the Bangalore Open
, their first meeting in a Tier II event. The only match between the sisters to end in a third-set tiebreak, both Venus and Serena were, according to commentator and former player Tracy Austin
"busting a gut to win". The match end in a 6–3, 3–6, 7–6(4) victory for Serena.
Venus and Serena next met on a familiar stage, Wimbledon; the match was their fourth meeting on the grass courts and their third final. The match featured "big hitting and big serving" as well as "some wonderful defense and court coverage". Testament to the fact that this was arguably the best Williams sisters match to date, former player and commentator John McEnroe
has called the match "borderline classic". Venus won the match 7–5, 6–4. They teamed up to win the doubles title and later a second Olympic Gold Medal together.
At the US Open
, fourth seeded Serena defeated seventh seeded Venus in the quarterfinals 7–6(6), 7–6(7) and eventually won the tournament. Tennis Magazine
proclaimed the match the best women's singles match of 2008. The final match-up of the year between the Williams sisters was during the round robin phase of the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships, with Venus winning 5–7, 6–1, 6–0.
At the end of 2008, their career head-to-head record was tied 9–9.
, where they met in the semifinals. In a match that was described as a "thriller" by CNN
, Venus prevailed 6–1, 2–6, 7–6(3). Serena was dogged by a knee injury in the third set, but did not excuse herself because of this, and Venus said that the match had been worthy of a final. Simon Reed, writing for Eurosport
, said that the rivalry had become "greater now than it ever has been" in the previous three or four matches, due to the increased emotional intensity that the matches appeared to stir up in the players, which he believed had been lacking in the earlier part of their careers. In doubles competition, the pair won the first Grand Slam of the year, the 2009 Australian Open
, with Serena also emerging as the singles champion and regaining the number one spot.
Venus and Serena next played in the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open in April. Serena won the match 6–4, 3–6, 6–3, temporarily secured her World No. 1 ranking, and tied their head-to-head record at ten wins apiece.
The two reached the finals of the 2009 Wimbledon Championships for both singles and doubles. Serena won the singles title for the first time in six years, beating Venus 7–6(3), 6–2.
They met for the fourth time in the year during the round robin phase of the year-ending 2009 Sony Ericsson Championships
, with Serena winning 5–7, 6–4, 7–6(4). They met again in the final of the tournament with Serena winning again by a score of 6–2, 7–6(4). The head-to-head now stands at 13–10 in favor of Serena, who has also won the last four meetings.
The sisters together won four doubles titles which included three of the four major doubles titles; Australian Open, Wimbledon, U.S Open.
. With the win they became doubles World No.1 for the first time and at the same time occupying the World No.1 & No.2 in singles.
In singles, the sisters did not play each other this year because both sisters were struggling with injuries. Serena participated at only six tournaments while Venus participated only at nine tournaments. Serena ended the year as world no.4 in singles, Venus ended the year one spot lower than her sister, at no.5.
The dynamic between family members can often be intense and emotionally charged. Grand Slam champion Chris Evert
has said of facing her sister Jeanne Evert, "It was the worst feeling ever. We were both very competitive and Jeanne wanted to kill me. We couldn't even look at each other. We just played the balls and wanted to win and then get off the court and not deal with it."
The Williams legacy can also arguably be seen in the increased representation of African Americans among tennis professionals and new players, though their representation among professionals still remains small. A third of all new players at the grass-roots level are either African American or Hispanic, a fact to which the USTA's president Jane Brown Grimes says, "I can't help but think that Venus and Serena are drivers behind that".
, and Grand Slam Cup
main draw results included.
Venus Williams
Venus Ebony Starr Williams is an American professional tennis player who is a former World No. 1 and is ranked World No. 101 as of 10 October 2011 in singles and World No. 20 in doubles as of 2011. She has been ranked World No. 1 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association on three separate...
and Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Jameka Williams is an American professional tennis player and a former world no. 1. The Women's Tennis Association has ranked her world no. 1 in singles on five separate occasions. She became the world no. 1 for the first time on July 8, 2002 and regained this ranking for the fifth time on...
are professional tennis players and sisters who have played numerous times in Grand Slam
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
finals. The current head to head record between the two is 13-10, in Serena's favor. They have met in a total of eight Grand Slam finals (with Serena leading Venus 6-2), ahead of seven finals played by Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf is a former World No. 1 German tennis player.In total, Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second among male and female players only to Margaret Court's 24...
and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Aránzazu 'Arantxa' Isabel Maria Sánchez Vicario is a Spanish former professional tennis player...
and by Helen Wills Moody
Helen Wills Moody
Helen Newington Wills Roark , also known as Helen Wills Moody, was an American tennis player. She has been described as "the first American born woman to achieve international celebrity as an athlete."-Biography:...
and Helen Jacobs
Helen Jacobs
Helen Hull Jacobs was a World No. 1 American female tennis player who won ten Grand Slam titles. She was born in Globe, Arizona, United States.- Tennis career :...
but well behind the record of fourteen finals set by Chris Evert
Chris Evert
Christine Marie "Chris" Evert is a former world number 1 professional tennis player from the United States. She won 18 Grand Slam singles championships, including a record seven championships at the French Open and a record six championships at the U.S. Open. She was the year-ending World No...
and Martina Navratilova. The two sisters' most recent Grand Slam matches were played in the 2008 and 2009 final at Wimbledon and the 2008 quarterfinals of the US Open.
Both Williams sisters have been ranked World No. 1 in their career. Venus has been top ranked for a total of 11 weeks, beginning in February 2002. Serena has been top ranked for a total of 123 weeks, beginning in July 2002. Serena is the current World No. 12 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. The Williams Sisters are the only two women during the open era to play each other in four consecutive Grand Slam finals.
Currently Venus has 43 career tennis titles (singles), while Serena has 39.
1998–2000
Serena and Venus Williams played their first professional match against each other in the second round of the 1998 Australian Open1998 Australian Open
The 1998 Australian Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park in Melbourne in Victoria in Australia. It was the 86th edition of the Australian Open and was held from 19 January through 1 February 1998.-Men's Singles:...
. Venus won 7–6(4), 6–1, although the match was described as "subpar". They played again in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open, the first clay court
Clay court
A clay court is one of the four different types of tennis court. Clay courts are made of crushed shale, stone or brick. The red clay is slower than the green, or Har-Tru "American" clay. The French Open uses clay courts, making it unique among the Grand Slam tournaments.Clay courts are more common...
tournament of Serena's career, which Venus won 6–4, 6–2. Together they won two doubles titles.
Their next match was almost a year later in the final of the Lipton International Players Championships in Key Biscayne, Florida
Key Biscayne, Florida
Key Biscayne is a village in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States on the island of Key Biscayne. The population was 10,507 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,324....
. Serena was coming off her first two tournament titles, but Venus won the match 6–1, 4–6, 6–4. The match was the first singles final between sisters on the Women's Tennis Association
Women's Tennis Association
The Women's Tennis Association , founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King, is the principal organizing body of Women's Professional Tennis. It governs the WTA Tour which is the worldwide professional tennis tour for women. Its counterpart organization in the men's professional game is the Association of...
tour and was described by their father as a "bullfight". Serena won her first professional singles match against Venus later that year in the final of the Grand Slam Cup
Grand Slam Cup
The Grand Slam Cup was a tennis tournament held annually at the Olympiahalle in Munich in Germany from 1990 through 1999. The event was organized by the International Tennis Federation , which invited the best-performing players in the year's Grand Slam events to compete in the Grand Slam Cup.The...
. Serena was coming off her first Grand Slam
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
championship at the US Open and defeated her older sister, and defending champion, 6–1, 3–6, 6–3. Venus was the only top player up to this point that Serena had not yet defeated. Together, they won three doubles titles, two of them being majors; French Open & U.S Open.
Entering their next match in the semifinals of Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
in 2000 (their first match against each other on grass), Serena was the favorite. However, the victory went to Venus 6–2, 7–6(3), who would go on to win the Wimbledon trophy for her first Grand Slam singles title. They teamed up to win the doubles title and later the Olympics Gold Medal. Venus's career advantage now stood at 4–1.
2001
They started out the year by winning the Australian Open doubles title.In the spring at the Tennis Masters Series in Indian Wells, California
Indian Wells, California
Indian Wells is a city in Riverside County, California, in the Coachella Valley , in between Palm Desert and La Quinta. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,958....
, amid controversy Venus withdrew before her scheduled semifinal match against Serena. The Williams family was accused of match-fixing, but the accusation was dismissed by most, including Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi
Andre Kirk Agassi is a retired American professional tennis player and former world no. 1. Generally considered by critics and fellow players to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Agassi has been called the best service returner in the history of the game...
who called it "ridiculous". Serena won the final against Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters
Kim Antonie Lode Clijsters is a Belgian professional tennis player. As of 7 November 2011, Clijsters is ranked No. 13 in singles. Clijsters is a former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles....
amid boos, during both the match and the subsequent trophy presentation.
The only match between the Williams sisters during 2001 occurred in the final of the US Open, where they had never met but where both had previously won singles titles. This was the first final involving sisters at a Grand Slam
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
tournament during the open era and the first since the Watson sisters played in the 1884 Wimbledon final. This match has been described as arguably "the most-anticipated tennis final in years". However, nerves seem to have played a factor in the match, which was won easily by Venus 6–2, 6–4. Noted journalist Peter Bodo
Peter Bodo
Peter Bodo is an Austrian born American sportswriter and author, currently Senior Editor/Blogger at Tennis Magazine. He is also an occasional columnist for the "Outdoor" section of the New York Times and for the Atlantic Salmon Journal...
has said that this first Grand Slam final played between the Williams sisters was "really a pretty lousy match,.. even though it was a great performance by the winner." With the victory, Venus now led their rivalry 5–1 and in Grand Slam singles titles 4–1.
2002
Venus and Serena would play each other four times in 2002. In addition to being the most times they had met in a single year, this would also mark the first time that Serena would end the season with a leading head-to-head, 4-0.Their first meeting of the year occurred in the semifinals at the NASDAQ-100 Open. Serena won the match 6-2, 6-2, only the second victory over her sister in her career and the first since 1999. Venus's loss was described as "listless" and it ended her streak of 22 consecutive matches and three consecutive titles at the event.
Their next meeting was their second in a Grand Slam final, but their first on clay courts. At Roland Garros Serena beat Venus in a "tight" match 7-5, 6-3. The Grand Slam was the first for Serena in three years, and it was the first final at the French Open ever played by sisters. By reaching the final, Venus and Serena assured themselves of moving up to first and second in the world rankings, respectively.
One month later, the Williams sisters again met in a Grand Slam final, at Wimbledon. Again, Serena was the victor 7–6(4), 6–3 and the win moved Serena past her sister to the top of the rankings. Venus still led 5-4 in their head-to-head and 4-3 in Grand Slams, but it was now Serena who was seen as the player "now setting the agenda for women's tennis". They won the doubles title together.
Their fourth and last match of the year occurred in the final at the US Open, in a match were the victor would take not only the trophy but the No.1 ranking as well. Serena won the match 6–4, 6–3 with a "blistering" display of tennis.
2003
2003 would be a year of injuries and loss for Venus and Serena Williams, with the two highlights being the Australian OpenAustralian Open
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court...
and Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
finals.
The first match of 2003 contested between the Williams sisters was the first final between the two players at the Australian Open
Australian Open
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court...
but the fourth consecutive at the majors. Serena won the match 7–6(4), 3–6, 6–4, the closest contested match between them since 1999. The win completed what has become popularly known as the "Serena Slam"; Serena Williams became the first player since Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf is a former World No. 1 German tennis player.In total, Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second among male and female players only to Margaret Court's 24...
to hold all four Grand Slams at the same time. In addition Venus Williams became the first player since Martina Hingis
Martina Hingis
Martina Hingis is a retired Swiss professional tennis player who spent a total of 209 weeks as World No. 1. She won five Grand Slam singles titles...
in 1997 to make four consecutive Grand Slam finals, and the sisters together became the first players in the open era to contest four consecutive finals at the majors. Together they won the doubles title.
This consistent play at recent Grand Slams led some to remark that the Williams sisters had a stranglehold on women's tennis.
The Williams sisters next met in a repeat of the 2002 Wimbledon final. Again the match was close but Serena, aided by an abdominal injury that negatively impacted Venus's speed, won 4–6, 6–4, 6–2. The win was the second consecutive at Wimbledon for Serena and her fifth out the last six. Additionally, the Williams sisters collectively had now won the last four Wimbledon titles and seven of the last nine Grand Slams. Serena Williams had now won their last six consecutive meetings, and led the head-to-head 7-5.
The Wimbledon final was the last Grand Slam final contested between the two for five years. Both sisters would be knocked off the tour by injuries, and then have to contend with the death of Yetunde Price
Yetunde Price
Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price was the elder half-sister and personal assistant to leading tennis players Venus Williams and Serena Williams. At the time of her death, she was 31 years old, the eldest of their mother Oracene Price's five daughters and mother of three children, a registered nurse and...
, their half sister.
2004-2005
Venus and Serena Williams did not meet in a professional tennis match during 2004, a year which saw neither sister win a Grand Slam for the first time since 1998. 2005 would be a return to Grand Slam victory for both of the Williams sisters, but in perhaps a sign of the increased competition neither of their championships were decided against each other. Both Williams sisters won a Grand Slam singles title in 2005 but did not play each other in a Grand Slam singles final.Their first match of 2005 was in the quarterfinals of the NASDAQ-100 Open, their third career meeting at the tournament. The match was won by Venus Williams 6–1, 7–6(8); it was the first meeting outside of a final between the two in three years and was the first win by the elder Williams sister in four years.
The Williams sisters next met on one of the largest stages in tennis, the US Open, though much earlier in the tournament than they were accustomed to. Venus, as the recent Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
champion and after three "magnificent efforts" to reach this round was perhaps favored in a Williams head-to-head for the first time in a few years . In the fourth round, their earliest meeting in a Grand Slam since their very first at the Australian Open
Australian Open
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court...
in 1999 Venus Williams won 7–6(5), 6–2. Venus would lose in the quarterfinals 4-6 7-5 6-1 to eventual champion Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters
Kim Antonie Lode Clijsters is a Belgian professional tennis player. As of 7 November 2011, Clijsters is ranked No. 13 in singles. Clijsters is a former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles....
, the first time since the 1998 Rome meeting that the winner of a Williams sisters match-up did not win the title.
At the close of the year, after the first year since 2000 in which Serena was unable to win a match against her older sister, Venus Williams had now tied the head-to-head 7-7.
2006-2008
The Williams sisters had mixed results over the next two and half years, suffering from injuries and still recovering from the loss of their sister YetundeYetunde Price
Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price was the elder half-sister and personal assistant to leading tennis players Venus Williams and Serena Williams. At the time of her death, she was 31 years old, the eldest of their mother Oracene Price's five daughters and mother of three children, a registered nurse and...
. There were positive results though, as in 2007 when Serena won the Australian Open
Australian Open
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court...
and Venus won Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
.
The first meeting in 2008 between the sisters occurred at the Bangalore Open
Bangalore Open
The Bangalore Open was a tennis tournament held in Bangalore, India. The tournament began in Hyderabad in 2003, and moved to Bangalore in 2006. This WTA Tour event was played on outdoor hardcourts. It as a Premier Mandatory event with a prize Money of US$175,000...
, their first meeting in a Tier II event. The only match between the sisters to end in a third-set tiebreak, both Venus and Serena were, according to commentator and former player Tracy Austin
Tracy Austin
Tracy Ann Austin Holt is a former World No. 1 female professional tennis player from the United States who won the women's singles title at the US Open in 1979 and 1981 and the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 1980, before a series of injuries cut her career short.-To 1980:Austin defeated...
"busting a gut to win". The match end in a 6–3, 3–6, 7–6(4) victory for Serena.
Venus and Serena next met on a familiar stage, Wimbledon; the match was their fourth meeting on the grass courts and their third final. The match featured "big hitting and big serving" as well as "some wonderful defense and court coverage". Testament to the fact that this was arguably the best Williams sisters match to date, former player and commentator John McEnroe
John McEnroe
John Patrick McEnroe, Jr. is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles , nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title...
has called the match "borderline classic". Venus won the match 7–5, 6–4. They teamed up to win the doubles title and later a second Olympic Gold Medal together.
At the US Open
2008 U.S. Open (tennis)
The 2008 US Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It was the 128th edition of the US Open, and the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year...
, fourth seeded Serena defeated seventh seeded Venus in the quarterfinals 7–6(6), 7–6(7) and eventually won the tournament. Tennis Magazine
TENNIS Magazine
Tennis Magazine is an American sports magazine owned by the Miller Publishing Group, LLC. It is a monthly magazine which covers news from the world of tennis.-History:...
proclaimed the match the best women's singles match of 2008. The final match-up of the year between the Williams sisters was during the round robin phase of the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships, with Venus winning 5–7, 6–1, 6–0.
At the end of 2008, their career head-to-head record was tied 9–9.
2009
The Williams's first match of the year was at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships2009 Dubai Tennis Championships
The 2009 Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships was a 500 Series event on the 2009 ATP World Tour and a Premier 5 event on the 2009 WTA Tour. Both of the events took place at The Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates...
, where they met in the semifinals. In a match that was described as a "thriller" by CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Venus prevailed 6–1, 2–6, 7–6(3). Serena was dogged by a knee injury in the third set, but did not excuse herself because of this, and Venus said that the match had been worthy of a final. Simon Reed, writing for Eurosport
Eurosport
Eurosport is a pan-European television sport network operated by French broadcaster TF1 Group. The network of channels are available in 59 countries, in 20 different languages providing viewers with European and international sporting events...
, said that the rivalry had become "greater now than it ever has been" in the previous three or four matches, due to the increased emotional intensity that the matches appeared to stir up in the players, which he believed had been lacking in the earlier part of their careers. In doubles competition, the pair won the first Grand Slam of the year, the 2009 Australian Open
2009 Australian Open
The 2009 Australian Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It was the 97th edition of the Australian Open, and the first Grand Slam event of the year. It took place at the Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, from 19 January through 1 February 2009. The 2009 men's...
, with Serena also emerging as the singles champion and regaining the number one spot.
Venus and Serena next played in the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open in April. Serena won the match 6–4, 3–6, 6–3, temporarily secured her World No. 1 ranking, and tied their head-to-head record at ten wins apiece.
The two reached the finals of the 2009 Wimbledon Championships for both singles and doubles. Serena won the singles title for the first time in six years, beating Venus 7–6(3), 6–2.
They met for the fourth time in the year during the round robin phase of the year-ending 2009 Sony Ericsson Championships
2009 WTA Tour Championships
The 2009 WTA Tour Championships was held in Doha, Qatar from October 27 to November 1. It was the second time the Khalifa International Tennis Complex hosted the WTA Tour Year-End Singles and Doubles Championships.Women's Tennis Association rank No...
, with Serena winning 5–7, 6–4, 7–6(4). They met again in the final of the tournament with Serena winning again by a score of 6–2, 7–6(4). The head-to-head now stands at 13–10 in favor of Serena, who has also won the last four meetings.
The sisters together won four doubles titles which included three of the four major doubles titles; Australian Open, Wimbledon, U.S Open.
2010
They won the Australian Open together for the fourth time. After winning their second title of the year at the Madrid Open, the became doubles co No.2 for the first time. At the same time Venus Williams climbed up the WTA ranks with her consistency throughout the year. She managed to reach World No. 2, only behind sister Serena Williams. This is the first time the William Sisters have occupied both World No. 1 and World No. 2 spots since May, 2003. They won their second Grand Slam of the year and fourth straight at the 2010 French Open2010 French Open
The 2010 French Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts. It was the 109th edition of the French Open, and the second Grand Slam event of the year...
. With the win they became doubles World No.1 for the first time and at the same time occupying the World No.1 & No.2 in singles.
In singles, the sisters did not play each other this year because both sisters were struggling with injuries. Serena participated at only six tournaments while Venus participated only at nine tournaments. Serena ended the year as world no.4 in singles, Venus ended the year one spot lower than her sister, at no.5.
Analysis
This section analyzes the rivalry in regards to their professional and personal relationship, how their entwined careers and rivalry has affected their legacy, and the overall cultural impact of the rivalry.Relationship and competitive dynamic
The professional relationship and dynamic between Venus and Serena Williams is deeply affected by their close personal relationship. The notion of two top professionals emerging from the same family to compete against one another is unprecedented, and is a scenario which has been described as being "as improbable as one set of parents raising Picasso and Monet." Peter Bodo, further speaking to the unlikeliness of two Grand Slam champions emerging from the same family states "It's a common occurrence that will cease to be possible, perhaps ever again, the moment they set the sticks aside."The dynamic between family members can often be intense and emotionally charged. Grand Slam champion Chris Evert
Chris Evert
Christine Marie "Chris" Evert is a former world number 1 professional tennis player from the United States. She won 18 Grand Slam singles championships, including a record seven championships at the French Open and a record six championships at the U.S. Open. She was the year-ending World No...
has said of facing her sister Jeanne Evert, "It was the worst feeling ever. We were both very competitive and Jeanne wanted to kill me. We couldn't even look at each other. We just played the balls and wanted to win and then get off the court and not deal with it."
Legacy
The all-Williams final at the 2001 US Open drew a larger television audience than the Notre Dame-Nebraska college football game being broadcast at the same time. In fact, part of the reason that the women's final at the US Open was moved to its "prime time" spot was because of the positive effect that the Williams sisters had on television ratings. CBS's four highest-rated US Open women's finals of the last decade all involved the Williams sisters.The Williams legacy can also arguably be seen in the increased representation of African Americans among tennis professionals and new players, though their representation among professionals still remains small. A third of all new players at the grass-roots level are either African American or Hispanic, a fact to which the USTA's president Jane Brown Grimes says, "I can't help but think that Venus and Serena are drivers behind that".
List of all matches
WTA, Grand SlamGrand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
, and Grand Slam Cup
Grand Slam Cup
The Grand Slam Cup was a tennis tournament held annually at the Olympiahalle in Munich in Germany from 1990 through 1999. The event was organized by the International Tennis Federation , which invited the best-performing players in the year's Grand Slam events to compete in the Grand Slam Cup.The...
main draw results included.
| Legend: Before 2009 | Legend: Starting in 2009 |
|---|---|
| Grand Slam Grand Slam (tennis) The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and... tournaments (12) |
|
| WTA Championships (3) | |
| Grand Slam Cup (1) | |
| Tier I (4) | Premier Mandatory (1) |
| Tier II (1) | Premier 5 (1) |
| Tier III (0) | Premier (0) |
| Tier IV & V (0) | International (0) |
Singles
| No. | Year | Tournament Name | Tournament Location | Surface | Round | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1998 | Australian Open Australian Open The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court... (1) |
Melbourne, Australia | Hard | Second | Venus | 7–6(4), 6–1 |
| 2. | 1998 | Italian Open Rome Masters The Italian Open is an annual tennis tournament held in Rome, Italy. It is the most prestigious red clay tennis tournament in the world after the French Open, with the men's competition being an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour, and the women's... (1) |
Rome, Italy | Clay | Quarterfinal | Venus | 6–4, 6–2 |
| 3. | 1999 | Lipton International Players Championships (1) | Key Biscayne, Florida Key Biscayne, Florida Key Biscayne is a village in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States on the island of Key Biscayne. The population was 10,507 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,324.... , U.S. |
Hard | Final | Venus | 6–1, 4–6, 6–4 |
| 4. | 1999 | Grand Slam Cup Grand Slam Cup The Grand Slam Cup was a tennis tournament held annually at the Olympiahalle in Munich in Germany from 1990 through 1999. The event was organized by the International Tennis Federation , which invited the best-performing players in the year's Grand Slam events to compete in the Grand Slam Cup.The... (1) |
Munich, Germany | Carpet (I) | Final | Serena | 6–1, 3–6, 6–3 |
| 5. | 2000 | The Championships The Championships, Wimbledon The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors... (1) |
Wimbledon, London Wimbledon, London Wimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas... , United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
Grass | Semifinal | Venus | 6–2, 7–6(3) |
| 6. | 2001 | US Open (1) | New York City, New York, U.S. | Hard | Final | Venus | 6–2, 6–4 |
| 7. | 2002 | NASDAQ-100 Open (2) | Key Biscayne, Florida Key Biscayne, Florida Key Biscayne is a village in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States on the island of Key Biscayne. The population was 10,507 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,324.... , U.S. |
Hard | Semifinal | Serena | 6–2, 6–2 |
| 8. | 2002 | French Open (1) | Paris, France | Clay | Final | Serena | 7–5, 6–3 |
| 9. | 2002 | The Championships (2) | Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom | Grass | Final | Serena | 7–6(4), 6–3 |
| 10. | 2002 | US Open (2) | New York City, New York, U.S. | Hard | Final | Serena | 6–4, 6–3 |
| 11. | 2003 | Australian Open (2) | Melbourne, Australia | Hard | Final | Serena | 7–6(4), 3–6, 6–4 |
| 12. | 2003 | The Championships (3) | Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom | Grass | Final | Serena | 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
| 13. | 2005 | NASDAQ-100 Open (3) | Key Biscayne, Florida, U.S. | Hard | Quarterfinal | Venus | 6–1, 7–6(8) |
| 14. | 2005 | US Open (3) | New York City, New York, U.S. | Hard | Fourth | Venus | 7–6(5), 6–2 |
| 15. | 2008 | Bangalore Open Bangalore Open The Bangalore Open was a tennis tournament held in Bangalore, India. The tournament began in Hyderabad in 2003, and moved to Bangalore in 2006. This WTA Tour event was played on outdoor hardcourts. It as a Premier Mandatory event with a prize Money of US$175,000... (1) |
Bangalore, India | Hard | Semifinal | Serena | 6–3, 3–6, 7–6(4) |
| 16. | 2008 | The Championships (4) | Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom | Grass | Final | Venus | 7–5, 6–4 |
| 17. | 2008 | US Open (4) | New York City, New York, U.S. | Hard | Quarterfinal | Serena | 7–6(6), 7–6(7) |
| 18. | 2008 | Sony Ericsson Championships (1) | Doha, Qatar | Hard | Round Robin | Venus | 5–7, 6–1, 6–0 |
| 19. | 2009 | Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships Dubai Tennis Championships The Dubai Tennis Championships is a professional tennis tournament owned and organized by Dubai Duty Free and held annually in Dubai, United Arab... (1) |
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Hard | Semifinal | Venus | 6–1, 2–6, 7–6(3) |
| 20. | 2009 | Sony Ericsson Open (4) | Key Biscayne, Florida, U.S. | Hard | Semifinal | Serena | 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 |
| 21. | 2009 | The Championships (5) | Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom | Grass | Final | Serena | 7–6(3), 6–2 |
| 22. | 2009 | Sony Ericsson Championships (2) | Doha, Qatar | Hard | Round Robin | Serena | 5–7, 6–4, 7–6(4) |
| 23. | 2009 | Sony Ericsson Championships (3) | Doha, Qatar | Hard | Final | Serena | 6–2, 7–6(4) |
Breakdown of the rivalry
- Hard courts: Serena, 8–7
- Clay courts: Equal, 1–1
- Grass courts: Serena, 3–2
- Carpet: Serena, 1-0
- Grand Slam matches: Serena, 7–5
- Grand Slam finals: Serena, 6–2
- Year-End Championships matches: Serena, 2–1
- Year-End Championships finals: Serena 1-0
- Fed Cup matches: None; They would never play each other in a Fed Cup match because they both represent United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. - All finals: Serena, 8–3
Mixed Doubles
| No. | Year | Tournament Name | Tournament Location | Surface | Round | Winners | Losers | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1999 | French Open (1) | Paris, France | Clay | Final | Venus Justin Gimelstob Justin Gimelstob Justin Jeremy Gimelstob is a retired American tennis player. Gimelstob has been a resident of Morristown, New Jersey and as of 2009 resided in Santa Monica, California.... |
Serena Luis Lobo Luis Lobo Luis Lobo is a professional male tennis player from Argentina, who won the gold medal in the men's doubles competition at the 1995 Pan American Games.... |
6–4, 6–4 |
Wins (19)
EWLINE
|
||||||||||||||||
| No. | Date | Tournament Name | Tournament Location | Opponents in Final | Score in Final |
| 1. | February 23, 1998 | IGA Tennis Classic Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup are tennis tournaments held in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships is a men's ATP Tour event that has been held since 1976. In previous years it has been known as the U.S. Indoor Championships, the... (1) |
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma... , U.S. |
 Cătălina CristeaCatalina Cristea Cătălina Cristea is a former tennis player from Romania. She was ranked 59 in the singles WTA Tour and 40th in the doubles. She retired from professional competitions in September 2001.-External links:...  Kristine KunceKristine Kunce Kristine Kunce , also known as Kristine Radford, is an Australian professional tennis player who competed during the mid-80s through the 1990s.... |
7–5, 6–2 |
| 2. | October 12, 1998 | Swisscom Challenge Zurich Open The Zurich Open was a WTA Tour affiliated professional tennis tournament for women, formerly held every winter in Zurich, Switzerland. It was classified on the WTA Tour as a Tier I tournament from 1993 until 2007. In its final year, 2008, it was downgraded to a Tier II event.The Open was held at... (1) |
Zurich, Switzerland |  Mariaan de SwardtMariaan de Swardt Mariaan de Swardt is a former tennis player from South Africa, who played as a professional from 1988 to 2001. She twice represented her native country at the Summer Olympics, in 1992 and 1996, and was a member of the South African Fed Cup Team in 1992 and 1994-1997. In 2006, de Swardt became a U.S...  Elena TatarkovaElena Tatarkova Elena Tatarkova is a professional female tennis player from Ukraine. Now retired, she won four ITF singles titles, four WTA doubles titles, and 25 ITF doubles titles... |
5–7, 6–1, 6–3 |
| 3. | February 15, 1999 | Faber Grand Prix (1) | Hannover, Germany |  Alexandra FusaiAlexandra Fusai Alexandra Fusai is a former professional tennis player from France.Fusai turned professional in 1991. She was 1.76m tall and weighed about 60 kg in 1997. She played right-handed and lived in Nantes during her career... Nathalie TauziatNathalie Tauziat Nathalie Tauziat is a former professional tennis player from France. She was the runner-up in women's singles at the 1998 Wimbledon Championships. Her career-high singles ranking was third in 2000.... |
5–7, 6–2, 6–2 |
| 4. | May 24, 1999 | French Open (1) | Paris Paris Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region... |
 Martina HingisMartina Hingis Martina Hingis is a retired Swiss professional tennis player who spent a total of 209 weeks as World No. 1. She won five Grand Slam singles titles...  Anna KournikovaAnna Kournikova Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova is a Russian retired professional tennis player. Her beauty and celebrity status made her one of the best known tennis stars worldwide, despite the fact that she never won a WTA singles title. At the peak of her fame, fans looking for images of Kournikova made her name... |
6–3, 6–7(2), 8–6 |
| 5. | August 30, 1999 | US Open (1) | New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
 Chanda RubinChanda Rubin Chanda Rubin is an American tennis player. Winning seven WTA Tour singles titles, she reached her highest ranking World No. 6 on April 8, 1996, after reaching semifinals at the 1996 Australian Open. Rubin is also former World No... Sandrine TestudSandrine Testud Sandrine Testud is a former professional female tennis player from France.-Career:Testud broke into top 20 singles rankings in July 1997. On February 7, 1999, she became the fourth Frenchwoman after Françoise Durr, Mary Pierce and Nathalie Tauziat to break into singles top 10 rankings... |
4–6, 6–1, 6–4 |
| 6. | June 26, 2000 | Wimbledon The Championships, Wimbledon The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors... (1) |
London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... |
Julie Halard-Decugis Julie Halard-Decugis Julie Halard-Decugis is a former professional female tennis player.Halard-Decugis lived in La Baule, France during the initial stages of her career and later moved to Pully, Switzerland...  Ai SugiyamaAi Sugiyama is a retired Japanese professional tennis player. She reached No. 1 in women's doubles on the WTA Tour. Her career-high singles ranking was No. 8, achieved on February 9, 2004. She turned professional in 1992... |
6–3, 6–2 |
| 7. | September 18, 2000 | Summer Olympic Games (1) | Sydney Sydney Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people... |
 Kristie BoogertKristie Boogert Kristie Boogert was a professional female tennis player from the Netherlands. On 5 February 1996 she reached her career-high singles ranking of number 29.... Miriam OremansMiriam Oremans Miriam Oremans is a former professional female tennis player from the Netherlands. On 26 July 1993 she reached her career-high singles ranking of number 25.... |
6–1, 6–1 |
| 8. | January 15, 2001 | Australian Open Australian Open The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court... (1) |
Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
Lindsay Davenport Lindsay Davenport Lindsay Ann Davenport is a former World No. 1 American professional tennis player. She has won three Grand Slam singles tournaments and an Olympic gold medal in singles. In 2005, TENNIS Magazine ranked her as the 29th-best player of the preceding forty years... Corina MorariuCorina Morariu Corina Marie Morariu is a former American female professional tennis player of Romanian heritage.Morariu turned professional in 1994. Mainly known as a doubles specialist, she won the women's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1999 with Lindsay Davenport. She also won the mixed doubles title at the... |
6–2, 4–6, 6–4 |
| 9. | June 24, 2002 | Wimbledon (2) | London |  Virginia Ruano PascualVirginia Ruano Pascual Virginia Ruano Pascual is a Spanish professional female tennis player. She was born in Madrid, Spain.She has won three career singles titles but she has been more successful in doubles where she has won 43 titles, including 10 Grand Slam titles Between 2002...  Paola SuárezPaola Suárez Paola Suárez was a top 10 tennis player in the early 2000s. She gained prominence in 2004 by reaching the finals of nine straight WTA doubles tournaments, and by reaching the singles semifinals of the French Open tournament, held in Paris."La Negra" Suárez began playing professional tennis at the... |
6–2, 7–5 |
| 10. | January 13, 2003 | Australian Open (2) | Melbourne | Virginia Ruano Pascual Paola Suárez |
4–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
| 11. | July 5, 2008 | Wimbledon (3) | London | Lisa Raymond Lisa Raymond Lisa Raymond is an American professional tennis player who has achieved notable success in doubles tennis. On June 12, 2000, she reached the world number one ranking in doubles... Samantha StosurSamantha Stosur Samantha "Sam" Jane Stosur is an Australian professional tennis player. She won the 2011 US Open singles title and was a finalist at the 2010 French Open. Stosur is ranked World No. 6 and her career high in singles is World No. 4, achieved on 21 February 2011. She is a former world No... |
6–2, 6–2 |
| 12. | August 17, 2008 | Summer Olympic Games (2) | Beijing Beijing Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's... |
Anabel Medina Garrigues Anabel Medina Garrigues Ana Isabel Medina Garrigues , better known as Anabel Medina, is a Spanish female tennis player. She reached a career high WTA Tour ranking of No. 16 on 4 May 2009, and has won 11 singles titles and 14 doubles titles, including the 2008 French Open and 2009 French Open with Virginia Ruano Pascual... Virginia Ruano Pascual |
6–2, 6–0 |
| 13. | January 30, 2009 | Australian Open (3) | Melbourne | Ai Sugiyama  Daniela HantuchováDaniela Hantuchová Daniela Hantuchová is a Slovak professional tennis player. She turned professional in 1999 and had her breakthrough year in 2002, when she won her first Tier I tournament and ended the year in the top 10.She is currently coached by Larri Passos... |
6–3, 6–3 |
| 14. | July 4, 2009 | Wimbledon (4) | London | Samantha Stosur Rennae Stubbs Rennae Stubbs Rennae Stubbs is an Australian tennis player. She has won several Grand Slam doubles titles and represented Australia at four successive Olympic Games; Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.... |
7–6(4), 6–4 |
| 15. | August 2, 2009 | Bank of the West Classic Bank of the West Classic The Bank of the West Classic is a week-long tennis tournament on the WTA Tour held on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, United States. The 2011 event will be held on July 25th to July 31st. Started in 1971, the tournament is the oldest women's-only tournament in the world... (1) |
Stanford, California Stanford, California Stanford is a census-designated place in Santa Clara County, California, United States and is the home of Stanford University. The population was 13,809 at the 2010 census.... , U.S. |
 Chan Yung-janChan Yung-jan Chan Yung-jan , Taiwan) is a professional female tennis player from Republic of China . She has won 13 ITF singles titles; and 7 WTA and 11 ITF doubles titles. Her career highlights include semifinals in the Japan Open in 2006 and finals in the PTT Bangkok Open in 2007 Chan Yung-jan , Taiwan) is a... Monica NiculescuMonica Niculescu Monica Niculescu is a Romanian tennis player. As of October 24, 2011 she is ranked No. 29 at the WTA Tour Singles Ranking. Her highest WTA ranking is currently her present ranking in singles, reached on 24 Oct 2011, and No. 24 in doubles, reached on June 7, 2010.Niculescu was born in Slatina,... |
6–4, 6–1 |
| 16. | September 14, 2009 | US Open (2) | New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
 Cara BlackCara Black Cara Black is a professional female tennis player from Zimbabwe. She has won 7 singles titles and 63 women's doubles titles. She has won all four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles and three of the four Grand Slam titles in women's doubles. She is currently ranked World No. 28 in women's doubles... Liezel HuberLiezel Huber Liezel Huber is a professional tennis player who competes for, resides in, and is a naturalized citizen of the United States. Huber has won four Grand Slam titles in women's doubles with partner Cara Black, one with Lisa Raymond, and two mixed doubles titles with Bob Bryan. On November 12, 2007,... |
6–2, 6–2 |
| 17. | January 29, 2010 | Australian Open (4) | Melbourne | Cara Black Cara Black Cara Black is a professional female tennis player from Zimbabwe. She has won 7 singles titles and 63 women's doubles titles. She has won all four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles and three of the four Grand Slam titles in women's doubles. She is currently ranked World No. 28 in women's doubles... Liezel HuberLiezel Huber Liezel Huber is a professional tennis player who competes for, resides in, and is a naturalized citizen of the United States. Huber has won four Grand Slam titles in women's doubles with partner Cara Black, one with Lisa Raymond, and two mixed doubles titles with Bob Bryan. On November 12, 2007,... |
6–4, 6–3 |
| 18. | May 15, 2010 | Mutua Madrid Open (1) | Madrid, Spain | Gisela Dulko Gisela Dulko Gisela Dulko is an Argentine female tennis player, who will, as of 4 July 2011, be ranked World No. 51 in singles and No. 4 in doubles. Although she enjoyed a modest success in singles, reaching No. 26 on November 21, 2005, and winning four WTA Tour titles, her speciality has been doubles, where...  Flavia PennettaFlavia Pennetta Flavia Pennetta is an Italian professional tennis player. She became Italy's first top 10 female singles player on 17 August 2009 and also the first ever Italian Tennis player to be ranked No.1 in Doubles on 28 February 2011. As of 10 October 2011, Pennetta is ranked World No. 18 in singles and... |
6–2, 7–5 |
| 19. | June 3, 2010 | French Open (2) | Paris |  Květa PeschkeKveta Peschke Květoslava Peschke, also known as Květa Peschkeová is a professional female tennis player from the Czech Republic. She plays mostly on the baseline, with her best shot being the forehand. Her favourite surfaces are hard court and carpet...  Katarina SrebotnikKatarina Srebotnik Katarina Srebotnik is a Slovenian professional tennis player. Srebotnik is right-handed, 1.80 m, weighs 65 kg and lives in Dubai. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 20 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour on August 7, 2006.Srebotnik won 4 singles titles on the WTA-tour and was a steady top 30... |
6–2, 6–3 |
Runner-up (1)
| No. | Date | Tournament Name | Tournament Location | Surface | Opponents in Final | Score in Final |
| 1. | August 8, 1999 | TIG Tennis Classic (1) | San Diego, California San Diego, California San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round... , U.S. |
Hard | Lindsay Davenport Lindsay Davenport Lindsay Ann Davenport is a former World No. 1 American professional tennis player. She has won three Grand Slam singles tournaments and an Olympic gold medal in singles. In 2005, TENNIS Magazine ranked her as the 29th-best player of the preceding forty years... Corina MorariuCorina Morariu Corina Marie Morariu is a former American female professional tennis player of Romanian heritage.Morariu turned professional in 1994. Mainly known as a doubles specialist, she won the women's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1999 with Lindsay Davenport. She also won the mixed doubles title at the... |
6–4, 6–1 |
Singles
| No. | Year | Tournament Name | Tournament Location | Surface | Round | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2004 | McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | Hard | Round Robin | Venus | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2. | 2004 | McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour | Detroit, Michigan Detroit, Michigan Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River... , U.S. |
Hard | Round Robin | Venus | 6–4, 7–5 |
| 3. | 2004 | McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour | Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in... , U.S. |
Hard | Round Robin | Venus | 6–3, 2–6, 6–3 |
| 4. | 2005 | McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour | Seattle, Washington Seattle, Washington Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country... , U.S. |
Hard | Round Robin | Serena | 6–4, 6–3 |
| 5. | 2005 | McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour | Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border... , U.S. |
Hard | Round Robin | Venus | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 6. | 2005 | McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour | Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution.... , U.S. |
Hard | Round Robin | Venus | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 7. | 2006 | McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour | Denver, Colorado Denver, Colorado The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains... , U.S. |
Hard | Round Robin | Serena | 7–5, 6–3 |
| 8. | 2006 | McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour | New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population... , U.S. |
Hard | Round Robin | Venus | 5–7, 6–4, 10–6 |
| 9. | 2006 | McDonald's Williams Sisters Tour | Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009... , U.S. |
Hard | Round Robin | Venus | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 10. | 2009 | Billie Jean King Cup Billie Jean King Cup The Billie Jean King Cup is a one-night tennis exhibition that features the four Grand Slam winners from the previous year to compete each March at Madison Square Garden in New York City.... |
Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the... , New York City, New York, U.S. |
Hard | Final | Serena | 6–4, 6–3 |
| 11. | 2011 | Medellin Exhibition | Medellin Medellín Medellín , officially the Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.3 million... , Colombia Colombia Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the... |
Clay | - | Venus | 6–4, 7–6(5) |
Doubles
| No. | Year | Tournament Name | Tournament Location | Surface | Round | Winners | Losers | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1999 | Super Power Challenge Cup | Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... |
Hard | Semifinal | Serena Li Fang |
Venus Lillian Lin Ning |
7–6(2), 3–6, 6–3 |
| 2. | 2002 | JP Morgan Tennis Challenge | Delray Beach, Florida Delray Beach, Florida Delray Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 60,020. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S... , U.S. |
Hard | Venus Alexandra Stevenson Alexandra Stevenson Alexandra Winfield Stevenson is a professional tennis player. She made her professional debut in 1999 at Wimbledon, two weeks following graduation from La Jolla Country Day School. At the Wimbledon Championships, Stevenson became the first woman qualifier in the Tennis Open Era to reach the... |
Serena Lori McNeil Lori McNeil Lori McNeil is an African American tennis coach and former professional tennis player from the United States. McNeil was a childhood friend of fellow African American pro Zina Garrison... |
8–4 | |
| 3. | 2003 | JP Morgan Tennis Challenge | Naples, Florida Naples, Florida Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of July 1, 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 21,653. Naples is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated total population of 315,839 on July 1, 2007... , U.S. |
Hard | Serena Jana Novotná Jana Novotná Jana Novotná is a former professional tennis player from the Czech Republic. She played a serve and volley game, an increasingly rare style of play among women during her career. She won the women's singles title at Wimbledon in 1998 and was runner-up in three previous Grand Slam tournaments... |
Venus Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Brenda Anne Marie Schultz-McCarthy is a Dutch tennis player. Primarily known for her maiden name Brenda Schultz, she married Sean McCarthy, a former American football player at University of Cincinnati, on 8 April 1995 and adopted his surname... |
8–7(6) | |
| 4. | 2004 | Lexus Tennis Challenge | Lexington, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region... , U.S. |
Hard | Venus Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Brenda Schultz-McCarthy Brenda Anne Marie Schultz-McCarthy is a Dutch tennis player. Primarily known for her maiden name Brenda Schultz, she married Sean McCarthy, a former American football player at University of Cincinnati, on 8 April 1995 and adopted his surname... |
Serena Anna Kournikova Anna Kournikova Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova is a Russian retired professional tennis player. Her beauty and celebrity status made her one of the best known tennis stars worldwide, despite the fact that she never won a WTA singles title. At the peak of her fame, fans looking for images of Kournikova made her name... |
6–3 |