LONDON // Serena Williams has called on fans to support her sister Venus when the two five-time Wimbledon champions meet in the fourth round tomorrow.
The sisters, who have 27 major titles between them, will be on opposing sides of the net for the sixth time at Wimbledon and for the 26th time in their careers.
Venus, 35, thrashed Aleksandra Krunic to reach the last 16, while Serena, 33, had to survive an almighty scare against Britain’s Heather Watson before guaranteeing the first all-Williams tie at Wimbledon since 2009.
Since Serena won that final clash six years ago, the sisters’ paths have diverged with the younger sibling putting herself among the all-time greats by winning 20 grand slam titles.
In contrast, Venus has slumped down the rankings as she fights a constant battle with auto-immune disease Sjogren’s syndrome that often leaves her exhausted.
As a result, Serena said Venus’s struggles deserve the sympathy of the All England Club crowd if they have to pick sides. “I expect more people to be rooting for Venus,” Serena said. “I would be rooting for Venus. She’s been through so much. She’s had a wonderful story. She’s been so inspiring to me; she’s just an incredible individual.”
Venus returned the compliment, claiming she would support Serena if she were a neutral bystander tomorrow.
“That’s interesting, I’ll probably be cheering for her,” Venus said when told of Serena’s desire for the crowd to support her.
“I haven’t given any thought to the crowd really. There’s no such thing as giving up for me in my life. But also for her, she’s been through so much.
“You see players that continue to talk about injuries that are like 9,000 years old. She never complained once. You have to give her credit for that.”
After four Wimbledon finals and a semi-final between the sisters, this will be their earliest meeting on the south-west London grass.
On the surface, world No 1 Serena, chasing her fourth successive major crown and 21st of her career, is the clear favourite to secure her 15th career victory against 16th seed Venus. But, regardless of the result, Serena said seven-time major winner Venus has already left a great legacy as a “pioneer” for both the sport and women’s rights.
When asked to chart Venus’s tennis legacy, Serena said: “Where do I start? She’s done so much for this sport.
“It’s just been amazing for me to follow in her footsteps in terms of getting equal prize money here, just stepping up to the plate and being that person.”
Major duels have never sat easy in the Williams family and, with their meeting just days away, Serena conceded time has not eased those conflicting emotions.
“It’s unfortunate that it’s so soon, but we’re going to do the best that we can,” she said.
“She’s my sister today, she’s my sister next week, she’s my sister next year; I think that’s a little more important than a match.
“I just don’t know how I’m going to do, to be honest. I’m playing the toughest player I’ve played in women’s tennis.”
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