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Serena Williams may have defeated Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 earlier in the day to lift her fifth Wimbledon Crown and 14th Grand Slam singles title but she was forced to delay any plans for celebration.
There was the small matter of the Ladies' Doubles finals to contest with older sister Venus. By the time the siblings strolled on court to do battle with Czech duo- Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka the clock was showing 9.30pm – the hold-up caused by a particular men’s doubles final involving a chap called Jonathan Marray.
However, it was worth the wait. Exactly one hour and 18 minutes later Venus fired down an ace to secure a 7-5, 6-4 victory earning the sisters their fifth Wimbledon ladies doubles title and 13th Grand Slam ladies doubles win together.
However, it was worth the wait. Exactly one hour and 18 minutes later Venus fired down an ace to secure a 7-5, 6-4 victory earning the sisters their fifth Wimbledon ladies doubles title and 13th Grand Slam ladies doubles win together.
Of course the pair are no strangers when it comes to accruing Grand Slam titles but this particular victory was made all the more special given the health scares they have both experienced over the past two years.
“For me it's been definitely a journey,” Venus said after the match. “ I'm sure it still will be. But I'm definitely very inspired by her [Serena] and everything that she's done. Like I said, we're not into the whole getting defeated thing; we're into the conquering thing."
The Americans faced tricky opponents in the form of the Czech duo, who last year won Roland Garros together. Until the 11th game the match proved to be close, hard hitting affair with both pairs producing sparkling grass court tennis involving thunderous serving and impeccable net play. But a break in the 11th game of the first and the fifth game of the second proved to be the sixth seeds' undoing.
The Williamses have never lost a Grand Slam doubles final together. Venus believes this stems from the fact they get on so well. “I think we just stay really relaxed when we play with each other because we believe in each other so much it helps the other one to stay relaxed.”
“For me it's been definitely a journey,” Venus said after the match. “ I'm sure it still will be. But I'm definitely very inspired by her [Serena] and everything that she's done. Like I said, we're not into the whole getting defeated thing; we're into the conquering thing."
The Americans faced tricky opponents in the form of the Czech duo, who last year won Roland Garros together. Until the 11th game the match proved to be close, hard hitting affair with both pairs producing sparkling grass court tennis involving thunderous serving and impeccable net play. But a break in the 11th game of the first and the fifth game of the second proved to be the sixth seeds' undoing.
The Williamses have never lost a Grand Slam doubles final together. Venus believes this stems from the fact they get on so well. “I think we just stay really relaxed when we play with each other because we believe in each other so much it helps the other one to stay relaxed.”
Their formidable style of play also helps. “Serena and I both put so much pressure on our opponents with our serves, and our returns are also, you know, very good,” she added.
However, Venus’s greatest inspiration is her younger sister, who suffererd a life-threatening condition last year in the form of a pulmonary embolism.
“I wouldn't be doing this without her. I mean, I feel like Serena was my role model. I couldn't have done any of this without her because she showed me how to win. I think it was a match made in heaven basically. We couldn't have done this without each other,” Venus said.
The sisters both came into the tournament unranked and unseeded and now leave with a doubles ranking between No.40 and 45, Serena a fifth Wimbledon crown and a singles ranking of world No.4. Now at least the party can begin.
However, Venus’s greatest inspiration is her younger sister, who suffererd a life-threatening condition last year in the form of a pulmonary embolism.
“I wouldn't be doing this without her. I mean, I feel like Serena was my role model. I couldn't have done any of this without her because she showed me how to win. I think it was a match made in heaven basically. We couldn't have done this without each other,” Venus said.
The sisters both came into the tournament unranked and unseeded and now leave with a doubles ranking between No.40 and 45, Serena a fifth Wimbledon crown and a singles ranking of world No.4. Now at least the party can begin.
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