If you had said 10 years ago that there would be two African-American sisters, born 15 months apart, from Compton, Los Angeles, at numbers one and two in the world with six grand slam titles between them, most people would have thought you were mad.
But when Venus and Serena Williams are at the top of their game they are pretty much unbeatable, except by each other.
Both had unconventional pathways to get where they are but they have plenty in common with some of the great players of the past: they are very competitive, want to learn and are diligent students of the game. All this is wrapped up in a physical package that is outstanding: they are intimidating, tall and strong.
They are powerful from all the major areas but also move better than anyone in women’s tennis. Power and speed are a deadly combination and if their game is operating with some control it really is tough to break them. There are players who can beat them, but when they are at their best their opponents have to play a near perfect match.
It is amazing they have come so far. If you go to Compton you realise that few grow up there without difficulties and temptations; there are many opportunities to go off the rails.
But they had parents with a vision which they embraced wholeheartedly. If Venus and Serena hadn’t been fully committed to tennis there would have been some major backfire along the way, some hiccup or rebellion, but to me they just look like they love what they are doing.
It is important, though, to differentiate between them and remember they are different personalities with different games. It is even possible that Serena will end up the better player, because her game has fewer technical flaws. She is younger and therefore still maturing. But most importantly she’s had this great role model in Venus, who is her best friend, room-mate and doubles partner.
There is a fear that their domination will make people lose interest and, let’s face it, when they play each other in a final there’s not that crowd-pleasing conflict found between two fierce rivals. If they end up playing each other in most of the grand slams and the matches don’t get more intriguing it could be a problem.
But it is understandable that there is an awkwardness when they face each other. When playing other people they’re very clear in what they want to do and are 100% focused on winning. When they step out against each other they try to have that same attitude, but I think it’s impossible.
It’s happened before when, say, doubles players who are good friends have met in singles, but this is that instance multiplied by 10.
But they’re finding their feet more and more. Their father, Richard, is not at Wimbledon this year and they are discovering a natural independence.
Their increased maturity is shown in that they’re both becoming more able in dealing with the public duties that go with their position. When players are young they can sometimes put their foot in it without even knowing it. Both Venus and Serena can sound a bit too cocky, but they’ve learnt about that.
They also have learnt to deal with people complaining that they don’t play enough tournaments and that they should get a proper coach. But what if these two have a long career at the top of their game, win more grand slams, have a balanced life with interests in other areas and leave the sport without getting totally fed up with it, as most of us do at some point?
Given where they are now, it will be difficult to say they should have done anything differently.
” A German man appeared briefly in a London court on Thursday after a clash with police outside Wimbledon. Albrecht Stromeyer (34) has been accused of stalking Serena Williams in several countries.