Serena claimed a fifth Wimbledon title on Saturday and paid an emotional tribute to big sister Venus whose career, badly affected by recent illness, is slipping into its twilight.
Serena, 30, and Venus, two years older, have won 10 of the last 13 singles titles at the All England Club.
The last of Venus’s 43 career titles came in Dubai in 2010 while her last Grand Slam title was in 2008, she was diagnosed with the fatigue-related illness Sjogren’s Syndrome last year which kept her off tour from the US Open until the Miami tournament in March this year.
Many in the sport expect Venus, now down at 58 in the world, to quit after this year’s US Open and having had another shot at the Olympics, which will be held at Wimbledon.
“I don’t know what I would have if Venus didn’t exist. I don’t even know if I would own a Grand Slam title or if I would play tennis, because we do everything together,” said Serena.
“Growing up I copied Venus, everything she did. She was a real big influence for me. So when she started winning, I wanted it so bad. When she became number one I had to be number one.
“I had to work harder. I had to do everything in my power to get there. I have no idea what would happen if she wasn’t around.”
Serena said that just as Venus had rallied round her when she was battling life-threatening blood clots which kept her off the tour for a year, now she repays the favor. Saturday, the sisters teamed up to win a fifth Wimbledon doubles title, defeating Czech sixth seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 7-5, 6-4 for their 13 Grand Slam doubles triumph.
The sisters now have five Wimbledon doubles titles, four Australian Open, two US Open and two French Open doubles triumphs.
