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Tennis titans Venus and Serena Williams prove that even the most competitive sisters can maintain a healthy sibling rivalry.
After years of big matches against each other – including at this weekend’s Australian Open final – they still manage to mix battling it out on the court with maintaining a close friendship off it.
ENTITY explores the ways Serena, 35, and Venus, 36, have found that perfect balance.
Because siblings spend more time with each other than parents, the younger children tend to look up to their big sisters to seek out approval and behavioral cues, New York magazine reported a study by Mark Pachucki of Harvard Medical School.
We’ve seen this play out with the William’s sisters. In 1994, Venus Williams turned professional at the age of 14 with Serena following in her big sister’s footsteps, turning pro the very next year.
Brandy Williams, mother to Serena and Venus has claimed that it doesn’t matter so much who wins, but rather how the sisters treat each other after ever match, The New York Times reported during a flashback story on the first time the sisters faced each other in the Australian Open back in 1998.
After Venus took the win, she hugged her younger sister at the net, and then apologized for having to “take her out,” expressing a moment of support to Serena after her loss.
Since then, Serena and Venus have faced off against each other in 27 professional matches, and no matter who wins, they always come together, root for one another, not against.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder isn’t just a saying that applies to romantic relationships. Space between siblings is often times a good thing as well, especially when you grow up very close in age (as did Serena and Venus), and doing everything together. Time apart allows you to reflect upon the relationship and have even more of a reason to miss one another after long absences.
“No one has ever beaten me as much as Venus has. She has a pretty good record against me, and we have a good record against each other. I just feel like, no matter what happens, we’ve won. She’s been through a lot, and I’ve been through a lot. And to see her come back and do so well is great,” Serena tells the New York Times.
Take a few tips from these pros and your sibling rivalry can always be a healthy respect.
