Comparing Venus and Serena's games yet again...

[Andy Zarzuela]

Ok after watching Venus win her 4th Wimbledon and Serena's amazing run in Australia at the beginning of the year, I'd like to compare their games when they are both playing well...But quite frankly, even though Serena has more slams ( although Venus may catch up with her though with the way she's playing as of late)...I think she has a more complete game. When both sisters are playing well, Venus can do everything Serena can do and then some. Her volleys are much more technically sound and her movement is better as of late (due to Serena's knee surgery and being slightly heavier than her dominate years)...the only thing Serena does better is her 2nd serve...but Venus is improving hers...she's getting a lot better kick than she used to. In fact, I think Venus' fitness is better now than it was in 02-03.. I watched an old clip of her back in 02 and she was a bit heavier than she is now....nowdays she's so slim (I guess winning Wimbledon playing the way she does keeps her trim, lol). Venus has always said and still says that she looks out for Serena and wants the best for her and takes care of her. As the older sister, she says even when they play doubles together that she serves first and always takes the overhead if they can both reach it because that is the role of the older sister. Also, she plays the ad court, which is the more pressure side...and that's why I think it was tougher for Venus to play Serena in all of those slam finals than it was for Serena to play big sis. Serena does seem to fight slightly better than Venus since she is more "in your face", but Venus also fights extremely well. But anyway, I think it's great that both sisters are in the limelight again, winning. They are truly some of the best competitors and athletes women's tennis will ever see.

 

[sondraj]

I think you are right but the other way around. I could be wrong though.
I think Serena has a more all around game than Venus.

I think serena is capable of hitting every shot. I think that Serena does a better job of mixing it up even when she doesn't need to where it seems that venus is comfortable staying at the baseline

I not entirely sure if venus has the all around game of serena because I've only really seen her play baseline tennis. granted I'm a bigger fan of serena so I'm more versed on Serena's game.

But it could also be that I haven't seen venus really get pushed passed having to play baseline tennis much.

 

[anointedone]

Venus vs Serena:

Forehand-Serena
Backhand-Venus
First serve-Venus
Second serve-Serena
Return of Serve-Serena
Movement-Venus
Volleys-Venus
Overhead-Venus
Mental Game-Serena
Passing Game-about even

Pretty much an even matchup I think.

 

[Alexandros]

Venus has better technique, anticipation and reach on volleys than Serena, Serena has phenomenal (and underrated) touch and feel. She can hit some very deft drop volleys, which I very rarely see Venus do.

The game breaker (aside from Serena's phenomenal mental strength) for me is forehand and second serve. When both are 'on' and their usually error prone forehands are sizzling Serena gets more bite, power and control on hers. Serena also gets excellent spin on her second serve making it very difficult to attack, whereas we all know that Venus' second serve can tend to land short and without enough spin allowing her opponent to take the first strike against her.

 

[Andy Zarzuela]

Venus vs Serena:

Forehand-Serena
Backhand-Venus
First serve-Venus
Second serve-Serena
Return of Serve-Serena
Movement-Venus
Volleys-Venus
Overhead-Venus
Mental Game-Serena
Passing Game-about even

Pretty much an even matchup I think.

I would say equal on return of serve. When Venus is on she fires down the line winners off the return from both forehand and backhand with ease. Don't forget the swinging volley

 

[anointedone]

I would say equal on return of serve. When Venus is on she fires down the line winners off the return from both forehand and backhand with ease. Don't forget the swinging volley

OK fair points. I think both are great returners so it wasnt an easy decision for me anyway. I always prefer to try to pick someone even when it is hard, rather then take the easy way out.

You are right though that maybe the swinging volley should have its own category to it. In that Venus is the queen.