Sports Then and Now

It may be difficult for Serena Williams to repeat her Wimbledon title in 2011.

Serena Williams’ place in the order of Open era Wimbledon greats is hard to measure. Although Roger Federer is certainly near the top of the list of male Wimbledon legends, Serena, the female incarnation of the modern great, might not even be the best Wimbledon player in her family.

It is too early to write the 13-time slam winner’s career obituary, although her prospective absence from this year’s tournament would make her a less dominant favorite in 2012 at the age of 30 with a serious medical problem only just behind her. Anyone looking at the 2011 Wimbledon betting will doubt her ability to challenge this year.

Although the Williams sisters have prospered as siblings on the WTA tour, their bond allowing greater longevity than most of their rivals have achieved, they suffer from their family connection when it comes to an evaluation of achievements, especially at Wimbledon.

This has partly by their joint domination – they have played four finals against each other that have often disappointed – and their success in the ladies’ doubles, a title they have won on four occasions. Followers are used to seeing ‘a Williams sister’ win succeed at SW19.

In their own right they stand above most others. In the Open era only Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf have won more than Venus and Serena’s respective five and four titles (the latter sharing that figure with Billie Jean King).

Venus edges Serena not just for titles won, but for the manner of her victories. At her best she was untouchable on grass, her scything serve impossible to handle when in the grove. Serena had to battle harder for her Wimbledon glory – an admirable trait in its own right – with her narrow semi final victory over Elena Dementieva in 2009 springing to mind. Those who placed tennis free bets on the match will remember it well.

Both sisters will want to prove they still have what it takes to lift the famous Rosewater dish again, but time is running out. Serena is not often viewed as the junior sister and family rivalry will drive her on to at least match Venus’ Wimbledon achievements.