For the better part of two decades, the Williams Sisters have been a dominant force on the WTA Tour. After growing up in one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, Compton California, Venus and Serena used their tremendous talent to accomplish more than any siblings in sports history. They have a combined 54 Grand Slam Titles, 1298 career wins, 8 gold medals, and were both number one in the world in singles and doubles. Women’s tennis has been extremely fortunate to have two such amazing athletes competing on tour during the same period. Conversely, lets imagine what the WTA Tour would be like had the Williams Sisters never played professional tennis. In this blog, I will discuss the various contributions the Williams Sisters have made to women’s tennis, as well as consider the development of the WTA Tour without the impact of Venus and Serena.
Contributions to Women’s Tennis
1. Physicality
Throughout history, women’s
tennis has been recognized for its grace and artistic beauty. Players like
Chris Evert and Billie Jean King relied on their elegant groundstrokes and
volleys to get to the top of the women’s game. Conversely, the introduction of
the Williams Sisters to the WTA Tour brought about the progression in physicality,
thus changing the game forever.
Even from a young age, both
Venus and Serena were imposing figures on the court. Venus, standing a
statuesque 6’1”, had a first serve that few have seen before. Frequently
clocked around 120 mph, Venus Williams used this unique weapon to blow passed
opponents. The elder Williams was also solid on both the forehand and backhand wings,
using her flat, penetrating strokes to move forward in the court. However,
Venus was most intimidating at the net. With her long levers, passing Venus was
like trying to get the ball passed a 747 airplane.
As if her powerful ground
game wasn’t enough, Venus Williams possessed the movement of a gazelle. From an
early age, father Richard Williams instilled in both Venus and Serena the mentality
of ‘you could run down every ball.’ Taken to heart, there are few balls that
got by the Williams Sisters. To demonstrate Venus’ superior movement and
groundstrokes, take a look at the video below.
Sister Serena, just 15 months
younger, possessed a similar game to older sister Venus. At 5’9”, Serena didn’t
have long levers like her older sister. However, the younger Williams had an equally
imposing game and serve. Serena could strike the serve with the same velocity her
older sister; however, she also used heavy slice and topspin kick serves to
dismantle opponents. The one shot that set Serena apart from sister Venus was
her second serve. Still one of the best in the game, Serena’s kick serve is a
safe and effective stroke that typically doesn’t break down, even in tight
matches.
Never before had women’s
tennis seen players move as well and strike the ball as hard as the Williams
Sisters. Even though Venus exhibited the elegance and grace that has
characterized women’s tennis, the Williams Sisters brought the physicality of
the sport to another level. Now more than ever, players have increased the time
spent in the gym, focusing on their strength training and cardiovascular fitness.
This shift in the women’s training regimen is the result of the imposing games
of both Williams Sisters.
2. Equal
Prize Money
Not only have the Williams
Sisters led the charge toward a more physical women’s game; Venus and Serena
were strong advocates in the fight for equal prize money. For many years, the
French Open and Wimbledon awarded less prize money to the female players. Following
in the footsteps of women’s tennis pioneer Billie Jean King, older sister Venus
took it upon herself to continue to fight for women’s equality. In 2005, with
the French Open and Wimbledon still refusing to pay male and female players
equally, Venus decided to speak out on the issue. Prior to each of the
tournaments, Venus met with tournament officials, addressing them on why men
and women should be paid equally. Despite leaving a meaningful impression,
Venus’ requests were denied.
On the eve of The
Championship, Wimbledon in 2006, an essay written by Venus Williams was
published in The Times, accusing that
world-renowned sporting event of being on the “wrong side of history.” In the strongly
articulated essay, Venus accuses the All-England Lawn and Tennis Club of
diminishing the hard work women have put into becoming professional tennis
players. In addition, the elder Williams expressed the message she tries to
convey to women around the globe – that there is no glass ceiling. By refusing
to pay equal prize money to all players, Venus believed that Wimbledon is
sending a message to women that their accomplishments are worth less than the male
players. Williams made it her intention to continue pursuing Billie Jean King’s
dream of equality. The essay was concluded with Venus stating how the greatest
tournament in tennis is tarnished as a result of their strongly held
beliefs.
The well-written letter proved
to be the turning point in the decades-long effort for equality. Former British
Prime Minister Tony Blair, along with members of Parliament, endorsed the
statements Venus made in The Times article.
In addition, the WTA teamed up with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization, in an effort to promote gender equality
in sports. Finally in 2007, under intense pressure, The All-England Club
announced that the tournament would award equal prize money to both men and
women in all rounds. Less than a day after Wimbledon’s historic announcement,
the French Open followed suit and awarded equal prize money to female players.
The first woman to benefit from the equal prize money at Wimbledon was none
other than the pioneer herself, Venus Williams. In all my years of watching
tennis, no one deserved to win Wimbledon in 2007 more than Venus Williams.
If you would like to read
Venus Williams’ The Times essay, just
click the link below.
The WTA Tour Without the Williams Sisters
1. Number
of Black Athletes on Tour
Throughout history, tennis
has been considered a country-club sport; played predominantly by white,
affluent individuals. Prior to the Williams Sisters, the only black grand slam
singles champions were Althea Gibson, who won the French Open, Wimbledon and
the U.S. Open in the 1950s; and Arthur Ashe, who won the Australian Open,
Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open in the 60s and 70s. The sport was hampered by the lack
of a successful black tennis player, inhibiting the appeal to different racial
groups. However, the emergence of the Williams Sisters on the WTA Tour would
change how people viewed tennis.
For many years, Venus and
Serena Williams have been role models to young girls around the world,
regardless of their skin color. They have proven that regardless of where you
come from, you can achieve anything, as long as you put in the time and effort.
More importantly, the Williams Sisters have eliminated the exclusivity
stereotype that has hampered tennis for so many years. Carrying the torch once
held by Althea Gibson, Venus and Serena have changed the face of tennis, but
not without facing adversity along the way.
The moment in Venus and
Serena’s careers where they faced extreme adversity was during the 2001 Pacific
Life Open in Indian Wells. Just before their semifinal encounter, Venus
withdrew from the match with an injury, giving Serena a walkover into the
final. The spectators at the tournament were not pleased with Venus’
withdrawal, resulting in unforgivable actions towards the Williams family.
During the championship match, which saw Serena take on the talented Belgian
Kim Clijsters, the Williams family were heckled and booed with racial slurs and
other derogatory remarks. As I watched this match as a young child, I
acknowledged that the spectators’ actions toward the then 19 and 20-year-old
sisters, in their home country, signified a low point for the sport. Despite
the insufferable adversity, Serena showed the heart of a champion and defeated
Clijsters in three tough sets. Unfortunately for tennis fans, as a result of
the crowd’s actions, Venus and Serena have never returned to the tournament.
The influence Venus and
Serena Williams have had on women’s tennis has inspired black athletes
everywhere to become professional tennis players. Looking at the next
generation of American tennis, there are several black players who have the
potential to become the next tennis superstar. These players include
17-year-old Taylor Townsend, 18-year-old Victoria Duval, 19-year-old Madison
Keys, and 21-year-old Sloane Stephens. Without the bravery and determination of
the Williams Sisters, and Althea Gibson before them, players like Keys and
Stephens may not have ventured into tennis. When asked about why she wanted to
play tennis, Keys detailed that it was because of the dress Venus Williams was
wearing at Wimbledon. Similarly, Victoria Duval detailed while on the Jay Leno
Show that her favorite player was Venus Williams. The effect Venus and Serena
Williams have had on women’s tennis parallels the efforts of Billie Jean King. Tennis
is more ethnically diverse than ever, and it is all thanks to the Williams
Sisters.
2. State of American Women’s Tennis
Over the years, American
tennis fans have been fortunate to have some of the greatest tennis players of
all-time represent the United States. From Pete Sampras to Chris Evert, the
United States has produced a laundry list of tennis champions. Since 1999, the
Williams Sisters have won 24 grand slam singles. Statistically, in the 62
majors played since 1999, the Williams Sisters have won 38.7% of them. Based on
the previously mentioned statistic, it is fair to say that Venus and Serena
Williams have been a major presence in tennis the past decade and a half.
If you are a tennis fan, you
are probably aware of the current struggles for American male tennis players. An
American male has not won a major singles title since Andy Roddick captured his
lone major at the U.S. Open in 2003. Looking at the American women, if you
disregard Venus and Serena’s grand slam triumphs, we would be having a similar
conversation about the women as the American men. In fact, the grand slam title
drought for the American women other than the Williams Sisters is even worse
than the men. The last American woman to win a grand slam singles title whose
last name isn’t Williams is Jennifer Capriati, who won the 2002 Australian
Open. Since the year 2000, an American has lifted the trophy at a major only
four times. The women champions were Lindsay Davenport (2000 Australian Open)
and Jennifer Capriati (2001-02 Australian Open, 2001 French Open). Moreover,
Davenport and Capriati are older than the Williams Sisters, and have since
retired.
Based on the previously mentioned details, it
is clear that the state of American women’s tennis over the past decade has
been far from ideal. Despite the large number of young American prospects,
there still isn’t a player who is ready to carry the torch that Venus and
Serena Williams have possessed for the past decade. Tennis fans have been
fortunate to have the Williams Sisters competing at such an elite level well
into their thirties. However, American tennis fans have been forced to rely on
Venus and Serena for far too long. As much as I would love to have both Venus
and Serena playing tennis for many more years, the United States is overdue for
another great tennis champion to emerge. Even though it is an exciting time for
American tennis on the women’s side, there is also extreme desperation amongst
U.S. fans as they eagerly wait for the next U.S. woman to breakthrough at a
major.
Conclusion
The Williams Sisters are two
of the greatest tennis players of all-time for several reasons. Venus and
Serena have not only made tremendous contributions on-court by increasing the physicality
of tennis; they have also made a difference off the court with their efforts
for equal prize money. Most importantly, Venus and Serena Williams have been an
inspiration to tennis fans around the globe. On a personal note, if the
Williams Sisters had not been competing around the time I discovered my passion
for tennis, I probably would not have the same love for the game that I do
today. Thank you Venus and Serena for making women’s tennis the highly
intriguing sport it is today.
Player Update
Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic,
who I cited as one of tennis’ talented up and coming players, moved into the
Top 100 for the first time following a semifinal showing at the Family Circle
Cup in Charleston two weeks ago. As a qualifier, Bencic defeated tenth-seeded
Russian Maria Kirilenko, and world No. 11 Sara Errani en-route to her first WTA
semifinal. Prior to Charleston, Bencic had never won back-to-back matches on
the WTA Tour. Even more surprising, the 2013 ITF junior champion almost didn’t
make the main draw. In the final round of qualifying, the young Swiss faced a
point for a 4-1 deficit in the final set. The 17-year-old became the first
player born 1997 or later to be ranked inside the Top 100 in the world. For
further analysis on Bencic’s game, check out my blog post “The Next Tennis
Superstar.”
What are your thoughts on the
Williams Sisters? Let me know in the comments section below.
In my next blog I will be
continuing the blog series, Buy, Sell or Hold.
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