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Serena Williams is once again the Australian Open champion.The 35-year-old athlete beat her sister Venus Williams 6–4, 6–4 in Saturday’sAustralian Open final. This marksSerena’s seventh Australian Open title and 23rd Grand Slam title ofher career (just one victory shy of Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slam record). Sheregains the trophy, having lost to Angelique Kerber in last year’s AustralianOpen final. Venus was not at all discouraged by the loss, expressing nothingbut joy for her younger sister.
Serena Williams posed with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy alongside her sister Venus Photo: Getty Images
"Congratulations, Serena, on number 23," the36-year-old finalist said. "I have been right there with you. Some of themI have lost right there against you. Your win has always been my win, you knowthat. All the times I couldn't be there, wouldn't be there, didn't get there,you were there."
Serena Williams also expressed a heartfelt statement, callingher sister an “inspiration” during her victory speech: “I really would like to take this moment to congratulateVenus. She’s an amazing person. There’s no way I would be at 23 [titles]without her. There’s no way I’d be at one without her. There’s no way I’d haveanything without her. She’s my inspiration — she’s the only reason I’m standinghere today and the only reason the Williams sisters exist. So thank you Venus,for inspiring me to be the best player that I could be and inspiring me to workhard. Every time you won this week, I felt like ‘I’ve got to win too,’ so thankyou so much. Thank you. She deserves an incredible round of applause. She’smade an amazing comeback. I definitely, definitely think she’ll be standinghere next year, and I don’t like the word ‘comeback.’ She’s never left. She’sbeen such a great champion — so thank you, Venus.”
Serena Williams was all smiles leaving the court Photo: Getty Images
Venus was visibly moved by her sister’s words, choking upfrom the praise. In another moving sentiment, Serena shared a photo of the duohugging on Instagram. “The top is neverlonely when your best friend @venuswilliams isthere,” the tennis star said. “Here's to #23. What a night for ourfamily.”
Serena and Venus hugged after the Australian Open Photo: Instagram/@serenawilliams
The legendary sisters have supported each other throughouttheir respective careers. They are used to a little friendly competition, thisOpen having been the ninth time they faced off in a grand slam final.
Since 1998, the siblings have competed against each other 28times in various tournaments. In thebeginning, Venus won most of the matches, but things took a turn in 2009 whenSerena started to reign.