Venus and Serena Williams ready for US Open showdown
Wednesday 9 September 2015 00:23, UK
Serena and Venus Williams meet for the 27th time in Tuesday's US Open quarter-final, as Serena bids to take one step closer to the calendar grand slam.
On Monday, the sisters were asked a range of questions by the media about their rivalry in the build-up to the match and here is a sample of their answers:
Live US Open Tennis
... On playing each other growing up
Venus: "I don't remember her winning. I was a giant though. I was always so tall and she was really small at the time. So it wasn't a fair match really."
Serena: "She always won. Like always. I don't remember much. I just remember I never was able to beat her, and I don't think I liked playing her."
... On the rivalry
Venus: "I like to think it's helped the sport to grow, because it's been such an unusual circumstance and so intriguing for everyone."
Serena: "I think it's been an amazing rivalry. I think it's meant a lot. We've done a lot for the sport. Hopefully it can continue as long as we play."
... On being coached by their father
Venus: "He wouldn't say anything before this match. Just stay relaxed and have fun. Especially when we play each other, he doesn't even come to those matches."
Serena: "My father is probably the best coach ever because if we talk about numbers, he's got a lot and he's only had two players. Imagine if he had three."
... On playing each other
Venus: "We both know the draw so we are both prepared to play each other in case we both play well. It doesn't always happen, but sometimes it does. Then we go. We go."
Serena: "We really relish the opportunity. We're both happy to still be involved in getting so far. And it's still super intense. She's doing well and she wants to win this. So do I. It's not easy."
... On each other's good form
Venus: "When you get into that habit of winning, it gets - I don't know if you call it contagious - but it gets to be a habit. She's developed an unbelievable habit."
Serena: "It's always a concern. I'm going to have to play better, keep up my level, keep playing better."
... On the challenge they face
Venus: "Obviously that she's so good. What else can you do except try to win the point and hope she doesn't hit an ace?"
Serena: "I'm playing the best player in the tournament and that's never easy. She's beaten me so many times. I've taken a lot of losses off of her - more than anybody. She's a player that knows how to win, knows how to beat me, and knows my weaknesses better than anyone."
... On their relationship
Venus: "We don't talk about tennis."
Serena: "I don't think anything's going to change. Whatever the outcome is, I don't think it's going to change either."
... On the annual family reunion
Venus: "We have a family gathering every year and every year I don't get much say. She always picks the theme and that bothers me."
Serena: "You know what? Her team are just haters, to be honest. They're jealous. Our team, the Kryptonians, do well. We tend to win every year. We'll just let it slide off our shoulders. We don't take it personal."
... On the calendar grand slam
Venus: "I don't think anyone wants to be a spoiler. I think people love to see history being made. No one is out to be a spoiler, but at the same time, you're focused on winning your match even though the circumstances are really much different than you (would want)."
Serena: "I have to play Venus Williams next. I have to deal with that pressure first."
... On each other's influence on their success
Venus: "I figure she knows what she's doing. I mean, what am I going to tell her?"
Serena: "I think she helped create me, for sure."
... On sisterhood
Venus: "I feel like it's what we always wanted growing up, just to be out there on the big stage, duking it out when someone named Williams will win. That's a given on that one."
Serena: "I think it's been a great experience. I feel like Venus and I have definitely proven that you can be friends and you can be sisters, you can be enemies on the court, and you can be friends and sisters off the court."
Watch Serena and Venus square-up in the quarter-finals of the US Open on Tuesday night live on Sky Sports 1. Not a Sky subscriber? Then watch through online streaming service NOW TV.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
