“The worst tennis day of my life”
After beating his younger brother Gerald in the first round of the qualifying tournament for Wimbledon, that was how Austria’s Jurgen Melzer described the experience.
Professional sport demands a certain ruthlessness; a divorce from emotion. But what if the opponent you are asked to battle on the day grew up in the same household, held your hand to learn the same craft, cried on your shoulder when it didn’t go right?
On Monday, Venus and Serena Williams will face off for the 26th time on the pro circuit. On the line will be a place in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Even as the world will watch transfixed, Venus and Serena have learnt that there exits a real life. Beyond the milestones. Beyond the headlines. Beyond the arc lights.
Venus, just a year and a bit older, will enter the match knowing that if she wins it ends her little sister’s shot at a unique feat- a calendar Grand Slam. But this has been a running theme since they first clashed as professionals, in 1998 in the round of 64 at the Australian Open. They have learnt to treat these contests as just a tennis match. No more. And no less.
I think we probably have the most respect for each other than anyone else on the tour. We are both invested in each other, we both want each other to win when we’re not playing each other. Whereas other players, I’m not watching whether they win or lose.
– Venus Williams
Venus hasn’t won a slam since she won her fifth Wimbledon title in 2008. Serena has won the last three. She leads 14-11 in the head to head with her elder sister. Venus won the last time the pair met, in Montreal almost a year ago.
They haven’t played each other at a Slam since the 2009 final at Wimbledon that Serena won in straight sets. The younger sister has had the bumpier ride into the fourth round but will start favourite in the estimation of most experts. She isn’t quite as sure.
Venus is playing so well. I’m practicing next to her every day and I’m in awe of how she’s doing. It’s a little frustrating because I know I have to play her.
– Serena Williams
For those of us watching, so much seems to be at stake on the world’s most revered tennis court. Yet, think of it, at its most basic, these are just two siblings having a hit. Okay, one will win and one will lose, but once done, it won’t be more than just something for the record books to make a note of.
“I think competing with each other has nothing to do with whether we’re close or not,” Venus said, almost urging though not expecting the rest of us to understand. “If I see her in a match in a tight spot, I know exactly what that feels like. I think that’s a unique relationship that is pretty rare in sport.”