Watch Serena and Venus Williams' dad predict the outcome of his daughters' great tennis rivalry in this 1992 clip
Dressed in their tennis whites, their hair braided with white and pink beads, 12-year-old Venus and 11-year-old Serena Williams smile broadly, sometimes stifling giggles, during a 1992 interview with Trans World Sport. Serena is quick to answer the questions first and Venus always lets her.
"Veterinarian," Serena says without hesitation when asked what else she would like to be when she grows up (besides the obvious). "I think I'd like to be an archaeologist," says Venus, a little more tentatively.
By 1992, the sisters' talent in the tennis world was already making waves. Venus had played 63 junior tournaments and won all of them, while Serena had won 50 of her 52 competitions. During the interview, their father, Richard Williams, speaks frankly about the girls' potential. "[Venus] has every quality to be a champion," he says, "and she will be."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
And while it is Venus who had the early edge, it's Serena he sees as the star. "She's like a pit-bull dog," he says. "Once she gets a hold of you she won't let go. She's so strong," he says. "Serena will probably be a better player than Venus. That's not to compare my girls, but she will be."
The sisters face each other for the 26th time in their careers tonight in the U.S. Open quarterfinals. Serena is ranked No. 1 in the world to Venus' 23. And while Venus comes into tonight's match having dominated her last two, it is, just as Dad predicted 23 years ago, Serena who is favored to win. If she does, she'll be one step closer to becoming the first person since 1988 to win all four Opens in a calendar year. The match starts at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.
-
4 ways to give back this holiday season
The Explainer If your budget is feeling squeezed, remember that money is not the only way you can be generous around the holidays
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for hosting an ecofriendly Thanksgiving
The Week Recommends Coming together for the holidays typically produces a ton of waste, but with proper preparation, you can have an environmentally friendly gathering.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published