Andy Zarzuela
Professional
Ok, Serena has 2 more slams, but honestly I've always felt that Venus has the better game. Venus has always says that she wants nothing less than perfect for her little sister, and honestly I think she tanked the 2002 FO final for Serena, because she wanted her to win. I know that Venus really wanted to win badly at the Australian Open and Wimbledon finals in 03', but I think Serena's confidence by then were a lot better. Granted, she should've won both of those matches (abdominal injury and let go of a break lead in the final set in Australia that year). But their matches have been too close over the years to say that Serena is superior to Venus. Venus has been the better player as of late for sure. She's beaten Serena several times since Serena's 03' days (if you include the WS McDonald's exhibitions where she won all 3 in 2004, 2005, and 2 of 3 of their matches in 06 (with a slice backhand mind you). There's no question that both sisters are AMAZING fighters, but Serena has been slightly tougher in their tight matches. However, Venus has been just as impressive fighter (some may argue that she's more clutch in tight situations than Serena against other opponents)....but when it comes to breaking them down shot-per-shot...this is how I feel
Venus Serena
Serve: = =
**I say equal, because Venus consistently hits her first serve harder than Serena, but Serena has always had a more reliable 2nd serve, which can be dodgy from Venus at times.
Footwork/Speed: = =
**Serena in peak fitness is really athletic (a bit more explosive than Venus); however, Venus in my opinion moves just as fast, if not even faster from side-to-side. She's got really long legs and moves like a gazelle out there....Nowdays, Venus is the better mover being that Serena is a little out of shape and has had knee surgery.
Forehand: - +
**Serena defintely has a slightly better forehand. Her forehand is flatter and has a touch more pace on it than Venus', but Venus hits a considerable amount of more topspin on her shots than Serena and is still able to get remarkable pace. Serena's technique's a little better too. I've read one of their books, they said Serena's forehand has always been her favorite shot and it got so powerful because she broke her lefthand from skateboarding and only practice FH's. When Venus is on, her forehand is impressive, but I give the slight edge to Serena.
Backhand: + 0
**Venus Williams backhand is perhaps one of the most penetrating and winner-producing backhands on the women's tour. She uses a lot of wrist and is able to get some remarkable angles. Venus' bread and butter shot has always been the down-the-line backhand winner. She can hit that shot 9.99 time out of 10. Serena has a solid backhand as well, but it's not as explosive as Venus'
Volleys
+ - ** I'll have to go with Venus on this one. She just seems to understand the net better than Serena. Serena is capable of hitting winners up there and she's not scared to get up there, but she looks lost of there sometimes and seems to get stressed and tense up there. Venus can hit her powerful shot in the corner and cooly knock off the volley winner. To me, Venus' net skills are considerably better than Serena's.
These are just a few things I'm looking at. I've always felt that Venus could achieve more than she has...(she could have double digit slams by now from all the finals) but I think a few loses to her little sister hurt her emotionally and her confidence. Richard has always said that Serena is "meaner" on the court than Venus and this is why she's been tough player to beat in previous years.But I think Venus can handle their matches better now. She's definitely turned it around in their recent exhibition and tour matches.
In fact, here's what Serena said about Venus' abscence from Australia:
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, so. I'm really not concerned. No offense, but I was practicing with her in Florida, and she was just killing me. I'm kind of glad she didn't make it, for my sake (laughter). You can't sleep on her because she's playing unbelievable. I got to take my chance now while she's out because when she's coming back, she's really playing like she's playing with no fear and she's practicing really hard. Yeah, she's playing unbelievable.
Venus Serena
Serve: = =
**I say equal, because Venus consistently hits her first serve harder than Serena, but Serena has always had a more reliable 2nd serve, which can be dodgy from Venus at times.
Footwork/Speed: = =
**Serena in peak fitness is really athletic (a bit more explosive than Venus); however, Venus in my opinion moves just as fast, if not even faster from side-to-side. She's got really long legs and moves like a gazelle out there....Nowdays, Venus is the better mover being that Serena is a little out of shape and has had knee surgery.
Forehand: - +
**Serena defintely has a slightly better forehand. Her forehand is flatter and has a touch more pace on it than Venus', but Venus hits a considerable amount of more topspin on her shots than Serena and is still able to get remarkable pace. Serena's technique's a little better too. I've read one of their books, they said Serena's forehand has always been her favorite shot and it got so powerful because she broke her lefthand from skateboarding and only practice FH's. When Venus is on, her forehand is impressive, but I give the slight edge to Serena.
Backhand: + 0
**Venus Williams backhand is perhaps one of the most penetrating and winner-producing backhands on the women's tour. She uses a lot of wrist and is able to get some remarkable angles. Venus' bread and butter shot has always been the down-the-line backhand winner. She can hit that shot 9.99 time out of 10. Serena has a solid backhand as well, but it's not as explosive as Venus'
Volleys
+ - ** I'll have to go with Venus on this one. She just seems to understand the net better than Serena. Serena is capable of hitting winners up there and she's not scared to get up there, but she looks lost of there sometimes and seems to get stressed and tense up there. Venus can hit her powerful shot in the corner and cooly knock off the volley winner. To me, Venus' net skills are considerably better than Serena's.
These are just a few things I'm looking at. I've always felt that Venus could achieve more than she has...(she could have double digit slams by now from all the finals) but I think a few loses to her little sister hurt her emotionally and her confidence. Richard has always said that Serena is "meaner" on the court than Venus and this is why she's been tough player to beat in previous years.But I think Venus can handle their matches better now. She's definitely turned it around in their recent exhibition and tour matches.
In fact, here's what Serena said about Venus' abscence from Australia:
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, so. I'm really not concerned. No offense, but I was practicing with her in Florida, and she was just killing me. I'm kind of glad she didn't make it, for my sake (laughter). You can't sleep on her because she's playing unbelievable. I got to take my chance now while she's out because when she's coming back, she's really playing like she's playing with no fear and she's practicing really hard. Yeah, she's playing unbelievable.
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