Serena Williams – 23-time Grand Slam champion and younger sister to fellow American great Venus – has posted a heartwarming tribute to her elder sister, following Williams’ first-round exit at the US Open.
After a battle that was closer than expected on Monday evening, seven-time Grand Slam titlist Williams was eventually knocked out by Karolina Muchova in a spirited display.
Among the wave of accolades paid towards the 45-year-old for her efforts, it was a message on social media from her sister Serena that perhaps cut through as the most touching.
“Strength, courage, determination, class, perseverance, inspiration… there’s not enough words to describe how proud I am of you @VenusWilliams,” Serena wrote in an Instagram post underneath photos of Venus competing on Monday.
“P.S. I hope to be like you.”
The two remain close, with Venus paying similar tribute to her sister in Washington earlier this month.
“I’m her biggest fan,” she said. “I never wanted her to retire.
“I mean, I keep saying to my team, ‘The only thing that would make this better is if she was here,’ like we always did everything together, so of course I miss her. But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”
