Feel Good Friday: Welcome to the Williams show

Colorful beaded cornrows soar into the air and with each forehand struck, a barrier would begin to crack. Venus and Serena Williams have broken records and changed the rules in their march through history.

Back in the 1990s, the sisters were unlike anything the sport had seen. In 2020, with countless records and unfathomable stats, the tennis world asks if there will ever be anything like Serena and Venus again? The champions are the greatest sister act of all time and they have changed the sport forever.

What better way to end the week than with a little sister-sister action. This Friday, we sit back, relax, and take a stroll down memory lane and relive all 31 matches between the iconic duo. Someone grab the popcorn!

Welcome to the Williams show...

1

1998 Australian Open, Round of 16: Venus d. Serena, 7-6 (4), 6-1

At 17 and 16 years old the two would take the court against each other for the first time in a professional setting. It was also Serena's first main-draw appearance at a major. Due to the bad luck of the draw, the two would clash in the event's second round. They would hold hands and bow to the crowd following the match in true Williams' style.

2

1998 Italian Open, Quarterfinals: Venus d. Serena, 6-4, 6-2

The hitting partners, doubles partners and Rome roommates would face off for just the second time in their professional careers. This time there were fewer nerves and errors and much more magic, and big sister Venus would prove to be too good once more.

3

1999 Miami Open, Final: Venus d. Serena, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4

Little sister Serena was fresh off her Indian Wells win and kept the momentum building in Miami when she didn't drop a set the entire tournament. Still, Venus would stop her younger sister in her tracks. The Miami final was the first all-Williams final.

4

1999 Grand Slam Cup, Final: Serena d. Venus, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3

Later that year, Serena would finally get revenge over Venus at the now-defunct Grand Slam Cup. After falling to her older sister three consecutive times, she would pick up her first professional win against Venus in Munich.

5

2000 Wimbledon, Semifinals: Venus d. Serena, 6-2, 7-6 (3)

Venus would have yet another spectacular day at the office, rolling past Serena to reach the Wimbledon final against Lindsay Davenport. She would prevail to capture her first Grand Slam title on Centre Court.

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2001 Indian Wells, Semifinal/Venus Pulls Out

Minutes before the semifinal match, Venus would be forced to withdraw due to injury. Fans would not take the news well and would accuse father Richard Williams of manipulating matches between the two.

Serena would go on to defeat Kim Clijsters in the  final in front of a nasty crowd, who booed the then-19-year-old and her family throughout the match. The sisters would boycott the event for over a decade.

6

2001 US Open, Final: Venus d. Serena 6-2, 6-4

It was the first Grand Slam final between sisters in 117 years. Yup, you heard that right. Venus couldn't seem to let go of the trophy and understandably so. She successfully defended her title with a seamless straight-set win.

7

2002 Miami Open, Semifinals: Serena d. Venus, 6-2, 6-2

Serena was surprised after easily posting a straight set win over her older sister. Although, Serena had defeated Venus once before, it wasn't in such a convincing fashion. In her on-court interview with Patrick McEnroe, she would use the word "shocked" five times in less than a minute.

8

2002 Roland Garros, Final: Serena d. Venus, 7-5, 6-3

After claiming Scottsdale, Miami and Rome, Serena glided on the Parisian terre battue with confidence. Throwing her racquet in the air, Serena would defeat her older sister for the first time at a Grand Slam event and also capture her second Grand Slam title.

9

2002 Wimbledon, Final: Serena d. Venus, 7-6 (4), 6-3

Two straight for Serena! The win propelled Serena into the world No. 1 spot for the first time in her career.

10

2002 US Open, Final: Serena d. Venus 6-4, 6-3

It was a family affair, with Richard Williams snapping photos of his daughters alongside photographers during the trophy presentation. Not only is that three straight for Serena but the win also tied the sisters Grand Slam count at four a piece.

11

2003 Australian Open, Final: Serena d. Venus, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4

"I never get choked up, but I'm really emotional right now," Serena said to the crowd.

Who wouldn't be after winning four consecutive majors and becoming only the sixth woman who has held all four of the Slams. These accomplishments might deserve a tear or two.

12

2003 Wimbledon, Final: Serena d. Venus, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

The nerves and errors were flowing in a seesaw Wimbledon final. It marked Venus sixth straight final loss to her little sister.

13

2005 Miami Open, Quarterfinals: Venus d. Serena, 6-1, 7-6 (8)

In a nail-biting tiebreak, Venus would come out on top to snatch her first win since 2003 against her little sister.

!

14

2005 US Open, Round of 16: Venus d. Serena, 7-6 (5), 6-2

Wait a second, it's the US Open and these two didn't meet in the finals? Although, it was their third meeting at Flushing Meadows, it was their first time they met before the championship round.

15

2008 Bangalore Open, Semifinals: Serena d. Venus ,6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4)

Three years later, the sister act was back, but not in the usual championship round or Grand Slam level. But, don't worry more major finals between the sisters are coming in hot.

16

2008 Wimbledon, Final: Venus d. Serena, 7-5, 6-4

It was always a special occasion when the sisters met on Centre Court. Five years passed without the two squaring off for a Grand Slam title. There were no leaps of excitement for Venus after capturing her fifth Wimbledon crown, but her smile said it all.

17

2008 US Open, Quarterfinals: Serena d. Venus, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7)

Serena proved that she is not only physically flexible but also mentally. Trailing 5-3 in both sets, Serena would get the better of her older sister. She would ultimately win the whole event and return to the world No. 1 ranking.

!

18

2008 WTA Finals: Venus d. Serena 5-7, 6-1, 6-0

Venus tied things up in the sister rivalry at 9-9 after winning what Serena called her "worst match of the year."

19

2009 Dubai Championships, Semifinals: Venus d. Serena, 6-1, 2-6,-7-6 (3)

“I think my serve has gone somewhere on vacation and I need to go there and catch up with it," Serena said following the match.

Venus would take the head-to-head record lead at 10-9.

!

20

2009 Miami Open Semifinals Serena d. Venus 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

With 19 winners Serena would advance into the Miami final against Victoria Azarenka and would also regain her world No. 1 ranking.

21

2009 Wimbledon Final Serena d. Venus 7-6 (3), 6-2

"I think if you win three Grand Slam titles and then maybe you should be No. 1, but not on the WTA tour obviously," Serena said. So my motivation is to maybe just win another Grand Slam and stay No. 2, I guess."

Serena would capture Grand Slam title No. 11 on the lawn, ruining her sister's chances at holding the coveted plate once again.

22

2009 WTA Finals, Serena d. Venus (round robin stage) 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (4)

The sisters would clash first in the round-robin stage and again a few days later in the final, of course.

!

23

2009 WTA Finals, Final: Serena d. Venus 6-2, 7-6 (4)

It had been seven years since Serena tasted victory at the season-ending event. She ended the drought by defeating the defending champion.

24

2013 Charleston, Semifinals: Serena d. Venus 6-1, 6-2

The sister act drew a crowd of 9,538 spectators, which was the largest a single-session record for the event. However, this match-up was unlike many of their previous bouts. No tiebreakers, no suspense, and not even enough time for the popcorn to get finished.

25

2014 Canadian Open, Semifinals: Venus d. Serena, 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-3

After five consecutive losses, Venus pulled out her first win since 2009 in three sets.

26

2015 Wimbledon, Round of 16: Serena d. Venus, 6-4, 6-3

Back to major business. The headlining match quickly ended in another straight set victory for Serena.

27

2015 US Open, Quarterfinals: Serena d. Venus, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3

The younger sister extended her head-to-head lead on her quest for a calendar Grand Slam. However, she would be upset by Roberta Vinci in the semifinals.

28

2017 Australian Open, Final: Serena d. Venus, 6-4, 6-4

Nineteen years from their first showdown in Melbourne, the sister act continued as they picked up more hardware. But this time Serena had some help: she was eight weeks pregnant with daughter Olympia when she captured Grand Slam No. 23

29

2018 Indian Wells, Round of 32: Venus d. Serena, 6-3, 6-4

Serena would return to tour after taking maternity leave, and it was a little odd to see the former world No. 1's meet in the third round instead of a championship match. It  happened to be their earliest meeting since their first encounter in the 1998 Australian Open's second round.

30

2018 US Open, Round of 32: Serena d. Venus, 6-1, 6-2

No jumping for joy, no fist pumps, just lots of love under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium in this lop-sided early round match.

31

2020 Top Seed Open, Round of 16: Serena d. Venus, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

From braces and beaded hairstyles to owning their own fashion lines and boasting a total of 30 combined Grand Slam singles titles. The two icons faced off on Thursday in Lexington, Ky. without the roar of a crowd and even replaced the post-match hug with a racquet tap.

Serena now leads 19-12 in their head-to-head series.

And, that's all for now folks! We hope you enjoyed the show, and there could be more to come from these two in New York.