Venus Williams shared some kind words about how her sister Serena inspired her on the tennis court.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s the Williams sisters dominated tennis and created a legacy in tennis the likes of which has never been seen before.
They have combined 30 Grand Slam singles titles between them and together they won an astonishing 14 Grand Slam doubles titles.
They are undisputedly two of tennis’ greatest ever players and they pushed one another to become even better both on and off the court.
How was Venus Williams inspired by Serena Williams on court?
Venus Williams is currently promoting her new book titled ‘Strive: 8 Steps to Find Your Awesome’. During an appearance on Virgin Radio UK alongside Chris Evans, the 44-year-old spoke about her youngest sister Serena.
The younger Williams sibling was the first to win a Grand Slam which came at the 1999 US Open while she was still a teenager.
Venus opened up on the ways her sister Serena Williams inspired her to win Grand Slams of her own and what Serena was able to teach her without the 43-year-old even realising.
“I had the honour of having great company in Serena and I learned so much from her too because she was younger and she was the first in the family to win a grand slam even though I was the first to be on tour,” the five-time Wimbledon winner said.
“I learned so much from her just by watching without her even saying a word. By her courage, character and her fearlessness, I said ‘I want that too, that’s how you win a major’. It’s so interesting that just by doing something positive you don’t even have to say a word you can influence someone else.
“I don’t think Serena knew at the time because she was 17 years old and what do you know at that age? But at that age just by her doing something positive and being amazing, she didn’t say a word and her actions spoke loud enough.”
What was Venus Williams’ head-to-head record against Serena Williams?
It was always a blockbuster occasion whenever the Williams sisters played against one another.
Throughout their careers they faced each other 31 times, and Serena emerged victorious on 19 occasions.
16 of those matches came in Grand Slams, and Serena leads that rivalry with 11 wins and five defeats. Venus lost nine of her 16 Grand Slam finals, and seven of them came against her sister.
Venus’ two Grand Slams finals victories against her sibling came at the 2001 US Open and 2008 Wimbledon Championships, which was the final time she lifted the trophy at each of these tournaments.
