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CNN Sunday Morning
Venus Williams Defeats Her Sister to Win the U.S. Open
Aired September 09, 2001 - 08:12 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Well, a bittersweet win for Venus Williams at the U.S. Open last night in Flushing Meadows in New York.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: That's right. Perhaps if it hadn't been her younger sister Serena who was being vanquished in straight sets victory, it probably would have been a little bit more joyful for her.
SAVIDGE: Probably would have been. Still, both sisters came to win and they played hard. You can literally hear that determination in match point, Venus in white in the near corner.
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ANNOUNCER: The champion of the 2001 United States Open, Venus Williams.
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MCEDWARDS: Well, you can probably imagine, in the aftermath Venus was almost apologetic for beating her sister.
SAVIDGE: Phil Jones of CNN Sports Illustrated has that.
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PHIL JONES, CNNSI CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was an historic occasion, a tennis match to transcend sport. But just like last year's Wimbledon semifinal, the Williams' sisters provided a level of play that didn't quite match the hype, finding the intensity, the right emotions, doesn't seem easy when the battle is between such close sisters and not intense rivals.
VENUS WILLIAMS, U.S. OPEN WINNER: I think we played an OK match today. I think that when I had some opportunities, like to break serve, I was able to capitalize on those more than what she was able to. So, that was the key, the difference in the match. But we both went out there competing, trying to win this tournament, and hopefully there'll be better matches. I mean, after that Andre and Pete match, no one could live up to that again in this tournament, maybe not ever.
SERENA WILLIAMS, RUNNER-UP: It was a bit tough out there. I was fighting the wind, fighting myself as I was making too many errors, and I was fighting Venus. So, it was actually too many fights going on, I should have reduced it a bit.
V. WILLIAMS: I just hate to see Serena lose in any way, even against me. So, I think that's a harder part. I think for anything it would be easier for her to beat me, then I'd maybe be happier. It's kind of strange, but when you're the big sister looking to take care of the younger one.
JONES: Venus has won four of the last six grand slams singles titles. However, this was her most subdued celebration yet. Beating her younger sister brought her second consecutive U.S. Open title and $850,000, but it really didn't seem very much fun at all.
From the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows, I'm Phil Jones.
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