Finally, Serena stands alone

She beats sister Venus to claim record 23rd Slam title, most in the Open era

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — Serena Williams held up a Grand Slam winner’s trophy for the 23rd time, celebrating her unrivaled place in history, and received a congratulatory letter and a pair of custommade shoes from Michael Jordan, the name most synonymous with No. 23.

Venus Williams got to watch from close range again, and shed tears more of joy than regret after being beaten in a major final for the seventh time by her record-breaking younger sister.

Serena won the all-Williams final, the ninth in Grand Slam history and the second in Australia, 6-4, 6-4, early Saturday morning.

With her record seventh Australian Open title, Serena moved ahead of Steffi Graf for the most major titles in the Open era.

The Williams sisters are close. They started out playing together in Compton, Calif., hardly a hotbed for tennis, with their father, Richard, and mother, Oracene, as coach and mentor. And they still practice and travel together around the world.

They met for the first time at a major at Melbourne Park in 1998 — Venus won that one. In 2003, when the younger of the Williams siblings completed her “Serena Slam” of four consecutive titles, Venus was on the other side of the net. She didn’t reach another Australian final for 14 years.

When Serena sat on the court, holding baltimoresun .com/sports

both arms up to celebrate Saturday, Venus walked over to her sister’s side of the net for a hug.

“This was a tough one,” Serena said. “I really would like to take this moment to congratulate Venus. She’s an amazing person — she’s my inspiration.

“There’s no way I would be at 23 without her — there’s no way I would be at one without her. Thank you, Venus, for inspiring me to be the best player I can be and inspiring me to work hard.”

Asked whether it felt awkward to be on the receiving end of so many losses to her sister, the 36-year-old Venus didn’t flinch.

“No, because I guess I’ve been here before,” she said. “I really enjoy seeing the name Williams on the trophy. This is a beautiful thing.”

Venus won the most recent of her seven majors in 2008 at Wimbledon. She didn’t make the second week of a major for a few years as she came to terms with an energy-sapping illness after being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome in 2011. And she made it back to the semifinals only last year at Wimbledon.

Another shot at a first Australian Open title was a sign of progress, she said.

“That’s exactly where I want to be standing during these Grand Slams, is on finals day, having an opportunity,” she said. “That’s the highlight of all this, is to be in that moment.”

Serena, meanwhile, enjoyed that she made history in Melbourne. Only Margaret Court, with 24, is in front of her in overall Grand Slam singles titles, although the Australian great won 13 of her Grand Slams before the Open era began in 1968.

“My first Grand Slam started here, and getting to 23 here, but playing Venus, it’s stuff that legends are made of,” Serena said. “I couldn’t have written a better story.”

The match didn’t live up to its classic billing, with nerves and tension causing uncharacteristic mistakes and unforced errors, with four consecutive service breaks before Venus finally held for a 3-2 lead in the first set. That included a game in which Serena had game point but served back-to-back double-faults and three in all to give up the break.

There were six service breaks in total. Both players were relatively subdued, except when Serena smashed her racket in the third game.

After the fourth game, however, Serena didn’t face another break point in the 1-hour, 22-minute match.

“Serena Williams, that’s my little sister,” Venus said. “I have been right there with you. Some of them I have lost right there against you. It’s been an awesome thing, your win has always been my win.”

In total years, it was the oldest Grand Slam women’s final in the Open era — the Williams sisters combining for 71 years, 11 months.

Roger Federer was aiming to increase his all-time men’s record to 18 when he played 14-time major winner Rafael Nadal early this morning, completing the singles finals lineup of all 30-somethings.

Bob and Mike Bryan missed out on a doubles record, losing the final, 7-5, 7-5, to Henri Kontinen of Finland and John Peers of Australia.

The third-seeded twins were trying to win their 17th Grand Slam title, which would have tied them with John Newcombe.