As Americans participate in traditional Fourth of July activities this holiday weekend, another tradition unfolds across the Atlantic: sisters Venus and Serena Williams will again make their way to Center Court at Wimbledon on Saturday to battle for the championship. It’s the third time they’ll meet against each other for the championship, and certainly a match to enjoy with the traditional Wimbledon snack, strawberries and cream—and maybe a burger from the grill.
Promoting American Tennis
The Williams sisters’ on-court rivalry has done a lot to promote American tennis, especially since the Russians and Serbs have claimed the top five women’s spots in 2008. In fact there are just eight American women ranked in the top 100. Serena ranks 6th in the world, while Venus ranks 7th, but Venus is also the 2007 defending Wimbledon champion. To earn her place in the finals, Serena beat Zheng Jie from China, the first Asian woman to make it to the semi-final round at a Grand Slam tennis competition.
Off the court the sisters influence the game in other ways—both sisters run their own design companies. Venus specializes in interior design and Serena runs a clothing company.
Women and Tennis
The first Lawn Tennis Championship was held in 1877 at the All England Club Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, England. Originally a host to Gentlemen’s Singles, the private club opened up the championship to Ladies’ Singles in 1884. Interestingly, two other sisters, Maud and Lillian Watson, played against each other in white corsets and petticoats at the 1884 finals.
In general, tennis has been good to women when it comes to equal pay, thanks in large part to the efforts by pioneer Billie Jean King. She raised interest in women’s tennis when she defeated Bobby Riggs, a tennis star and showman who claimed the female game was inferior in what was promoted as The Battle of the Sexes in 1973. Wimbledon, however, was the last championship tournament to offer equal pay for women’s finals—it began doing so just last year.
The Big Picture
While most sports watching on holidays such as Thanksgiving and New Year’s are dominated by all male sports, it’s refreshing to see two women take center stage as we celebrate our nation’s independence. Good luck to Venus and Serena this weekend and Happy Fourth of July!