Born in Lynwood, California Venus Williams (b. June 17, 1980) and younger sister, Serena Williams (b. September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan) both grew up in the Los Angeles suburb of Compton, California and were coached by their father from a very young age.
Both girls were playing in tournaments before their teens, but their father/manager abruptly pulled them from competition to finish their schooling - a move that, at the time, both raised eyebrows and earned praise for the decision.
Home schooled by their mother, it was Venus who turned pro at 14 and three years short years made it to the U.S. Open only to be defeated by Martina Hingis in 1997. Meanwhile, sister Serena was already rising through the ranks and in 1999 became the first sister to win a Grand Slam event at the U.S. Open. The following year, it was Venus' turn - as she defeated Lindsey Davenport to win the 2000 Wimbledon championship - with both sisters easily taking the Wimbledon doubles title that year. Since then, Venus and Serena Williams have been two of the most watched players on the women's tennis circuit.
In 2005, Serena was victorious at the Australian Open, overcoming a back injury to again beat Lindsey Davenport (2-6, 6-3, 6-0) in the final.
In March, 2005, the battle of the Williams sisters at the Nasdaq 100 Open went to Venus, who was later victorious in a grueling match with Lindsey Davenport to finally take the ladies' championship at Wimbledon in 2005.
As the defending champ in the Australian Open in 2006, Serena was ousted in the third round by Daniela Hantuchova. However, in 2007 Serena staged a dramatic comeback in Melbourne by defeating Maria Sharapova in the women's final.
Most recently, Venus took her fourth the women's title at Wimbledon against France's Marion Bartoli in the July final.
Off the court, Serena and Venus were the subjects of a reality TV show on the ABC Family network entitled Venus and Serena : For Real, which debuted in July 2005.
Williamssisters.org - Profiles, rankings, the latest news and complete biographies, picture galleries, message board and related links.
Both girls were playing in tournaments before their teens, but their father/manager abruptly pulled them from competition to finish their schooling - a move that, at the time, both raised eyebrows and earned praise for the decision.
Home schooled by their mother, it was Venus who turned pro at 14 and three years short years made it to the U.S. Open only to be defeated by Martina Hingis in 1997. Meanwhile, sister Serena was already rising through the ranks and in 1999 became the first sister to win a Grand Slam event at the U.S. Open. The following year, it was Venus' turn - as she defeated Lindsey Davenport to win the 2000 Wimbledon championship - with both sisters easily taking the Wimbledon doubles title that year. Since then, Venus and Serena Williams have been two of the most watched players on the women's tennis circuit.
In 2005, Serena was victorious at the Australian Open, overcoming a back injury to again beat Lindsey Davenport (2-6, 6-3, 6-0) in the final.
In March, 2005, the battle of the Williams sisters at the Nasdaq 100 Open went to Venus, who was later victorious in a grueling match with Lindsey Davenport to finally take the ladies' championship at Wimbledon in 2005.
As the defending champ in the Australian Open in 2006, Serena was ousted in the third round by Daniela Hantuchova. However, in 2007 Serena staged a dramatic comeback in Melbourne by defeating Maria Sharapova in the women's final.
Most recently, Venus took her fourth the women's title at Wimbledon against France's Marion Bartoli in the July final.
Off the court, Serena and Venus were the subjects of a reality TV show on the ABC Family network entitled Venus and Serena : For Real, which debuted in July 2005.
Williamssisters.org - Profiles, rankings, the latest news and complete biographies, picture galleries, message board and related links.
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