No matter how tall, strong and athletic the young women - really girls at the start of their professional careers in the mid-1990s - few commentators believed they would dominate the sport the way they have whenever they've been healthy.
When, as this season, they both are at their best, it seems what matters is only which will have a better day when they meet in the final. This time, at Wimbledon, Serena Williams, the "kid sister," defeated older sibling Venus. But, not to worry, Venus took it well enough - about like she might losing to her sister in a backyard game.
At one time, remember, they were accused of not trying their hardest when playing each other, but that now seems more a measure of how great they are.
And it is not as though either player will hang up her sneakers with a barren trophy case. Venus has won seven singles grand slams, plus many other titles, including doubles titles with her sister. Serena now has 11 singles grand slams, plus numerous other titles. Not to mention all the millions they have made through tennis and endorsement deals.
All of this is incredible on a number of fronts.
No siblings have ever dominated a pro sport the way the Williams sisters have. One is always the great one, while the other might be good - as in Joe and Dom DiMaggio.
Both of these players are considered great. That these women also were middle class African Americans is likewise amazing. So few top players, or players at any level, are black, this makes their accomplishments even more off the charts. We should savor what is happening today in women's tennis and never take for granted a great African American story, and a great American story, as it continues to unfold.
We are not likely to see anything comparable again.
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