"She's encouraging me to rise to be my best": Venus Williams got text from sister Serena Williams after first top 20 win in four years
WTATuesday, 15 August 2023 at 21:30
Venus
Williams spoke about the support of her sister Serena Williams after her
victory over Veronika Kudermetova at the Cincinnati Open.
The
43-year-old athlete marked a remarkable day, achieving her best performance in
several years by defeating the world No. 16 with a score of 6-4, 7-5. This win
stands as her first against a top-20 player in the past four years.
The last
time she achieved this feat was against Kiki Bertens, who is currently retired.
This victory also took place at the Cincinnati Open, a tournament in which the
Dutch player was the defending champion.
During her
match against Kudermetova, Venus Williams found herself trailing 4-1 in the
first set. However, she mounted an impressive comeback by securing five
consecutive games, ultimately taking the set 6-4.
The second
set also presented a challenging scenario, with Williams facing a 5-1 deficit
and having to save two set points. Yet, Venus exhibited her resilience once
again, managing to secure six consecutive games to claim the deciding set 7-5.
In the
post-match press conference, the 7-time Grand Slam champion fondly recalled her
younger sister Serena and shared that she had sent her a message shortly after
her triumph:
“She texted
me after. She had a lot of encouraging words to say. She just is encouraging me
to, you know, just to rise to be my best, because she believes in me and she
knows what I have inside of me,” former world No. 1 said.
“It's nice
to have obviously her, because she knows and she knows what position I'm in and
what it's like to be in this position. She knows what it's like to have
something to give, but, like, you just need that opportunity. So, it's nice
that she believes in me,” she added.
Williams'
victory marks her third win of the season, accompanied by five losses. Earlier
this year, she secured a triumph in the first round of the ASB Classic against
Katie Volynets. During the grass-court season, she added a significant victory
over the Italian Camila Giorgi at the Birmingham Open.
Moving into
the second round, she will be facing the winner of the match between the young
Chinese player Qinwen Zheng and the Belarusian qualifier Alliaksandraaa
Sasnovich.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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