Stories from the world of the Williams' sisters

Hip, hip for tricky sisters

VENUS and Serena Williams are not just rivals on the court but also in the clothes boutiques. Venus revealed the pair, who will meet in today’s final, play games with each other whenever they have a chance to go shopping.

Venus said: “She tricks me a lot, but I get hip to her tricks. We could be in the store trying something on, and she’ll be like, ‘No, that doesn’t look good’.

“As soon as I put it down she tries it on, but I got hip to that. So soon there will be another trick that I have to get hip to. I don’t mind. It’s funny.”

Golden oldies

ANY top female players who believe they just have to hang around and claim their glory once the sisters retire should think again.

The Williams sisters have no plans to hang up their rackets anytime soon. One long-term ambition is to play at Wimbledon in the London Olympics. Another even longer-term gold medal dream is to represent the US four years later on home soil.

“We’ve talked about playing the 2012 Olympics,” said Venus. “We’ve talked about playing doubles in 2016 because we hope it goes to Chicago. That’s pretty much where our timeline is heading.”

Venus would then be 36 and Serena a year younger. Golden oldies you might say.

Serena’s silver

CONTINUING on a theme, and have you ever wondered what Serena, winner of 33 tour singles titles, does with her old silverware?

The secret came out after her quarter-final win over Victoria Azarenko – they become a home for her make-up brushes. The two-time Wimbledon champion insists she will one day take stock of her considerable trophy cabinet but that will wait for her retirement.

“Maybe I’ll just take a step back and take all the make-up brushes out and really appreciate every title and every trophy,” she said.

And which trophy makes the best make-up brush holder? “Definitely Indian Wells in 2001,” she said.

Venus strap

THE strapping on Venus’ left leg has sparked plenty of conversation.

It has given her useful support in her matches, and has been so beneficial five-time champion Venus hardly knows how she ever managed without it.

“You know, I was thinking maybe I could totally get a permanent one,” she said.