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With Championship point, and Venus holding serve, Serena could only hit a return wide, handing the All England Club title to Venus Williams.

As with any Williams’s games, powerful serves were the order of the day. The match was evenly balanced in powerful serves, and baseline returns. That Venus won is more attributed to her grit and determination to get to the balls, and her break point conversions (Venus won 4 of 7 break points, while Serena could only managed 2 of 13).

Serena perhaps conceded the match after the first set. In the second set, she displayed rather negative body language, hanging her head low after each unforced error or winners by Venus. She could even be heard asking herself “Why?”. The importance of body language in sports could never be underestimated.

The end of the competitive game started an awkward ceremony presentation. Other than a short hug right after the last point, Venus and Serena hardly made any eye contact through the rest of the Championship ceremony. Serena was particularly solemn, and constantly hung her head low.

Siblings Rivalry Contribute To Success

This is the seventh time that Venus and Serena had faced off each other in the Grand Slam finals of a Tennis Match. The dominance of the sisters is apparent but I must be quick to add that this all-Williams final will be the first at any tournament since 2003.

For Venus, this triumph is her fifth title at the All England Club, making it a total of seven career Grand Slams, while Serena will have to seek her tenth Grand Slam at the coming US Open.

It is certainly beneficial that the siblings had such fierce competition against one another. Venus and Serena are champions in their own rights; however it would be fair to say that they probably hone their fierce competitive spirit playing against each other.

The Williams sisters’ rivalry reminded me of my playing days with my twin brother. We were in the same basketball team in Elementary School, and also in High School. We were also in the same Canoe Polo team in college. We would often forget about time when playing against each other, just playing hard against each other to determine who is better. He was definitely a key factor in contributing to the aggressiveness and competitiveness of my game.

Another notable sportsmen who attributed his success to his competition with his sibling, is NBA legend Michael Jordan. Jordan talked fondly about his playing days with his brother, and he even went as far as saying “I felt I could beat anyone if I can beat him”. It was that kind of competitive playing days with his brother that ignited the fire in him.

The siblings’ rivalry has definitely reaped more benefits than harm for the Williams. Richard Williams, father of the Williams sisters must have more proud of his two daughters’ achievements than the awkwardness of having one winner.