Hard-Won History

History isn’t always perfect.

That’s the beauty of time, space and perspective. Not everyone remembers the flaws along the way, just the final result and larger meaning. If a couple of quills broke when they were signing the Declaration of Independence, well, that wouldn’t be mentioned in the history books.

The history sisters Venus and Serena Williams helped create Saturday night wasn’t flawless. But it’s a fair guess that no one will remember in 50 years that the sisters combined for seven service breaks or that Serena Williams had 36 unforced errors and her forehand disappeared for long spells.

The implications were evident simply by glancing around the vast expanse of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the U.S. Open. For the 69-minute final between the sisters, there was a spectacular merger of sports and entertainment. It was the first Grand Slam final between African Americans, and sisters had not played in a Slam final since 1884 at Wimbledon.

Venus, 21, has dominated the sisters’ brief rivalry, and it was no different on this historic night in prime time, when she won for the fifth time in six matches. The fourth-seeded Venus beat No. 10 Serena, 6-2, 6-4. Venus has now won four of the last six Grand Slam events, and successfully defended her 2000 U.S. Open title. The Williams family has possession of the last three U.S. Open championships. Serena, now 19, won two years ago.

“This is our first Grand Slam final together, and really that’s the way we’d like it to be,” Venus said. “Then both of us win in a way. Also, I hate to see Serena lose anyway--even against me. So that’s the harder part. For anything, it would be easier for her to beat me, then I’d maybe be, I don’t know, happier.

“It’s kind of strange. But when you’re the big sister looking to take care of the younger one ...”

Their mother and coach, Oracene, was in the friends box with her younger sister Ruth. Oracene stayed serene, although she put her head in her hands when Serena sprayed a forehand in the second set. She said she was trying to give Serena “a little edge,” and to urge her to get tough.

Richard Williams was not spotted in the stands or around the grounds, so it was left to Oracene to sum up the significance of the family final.

“Historical,” Oracene said. “It’s something they’ve achieved through a lifetime of work, from age 4.”

Tennis legend and pioneer Billie Jean King flipped the coin to determine who would serve first. She relished the history-making night.

“It’s a moment to cherish,” King said. “It’s a benchmark for women’s sports. I think about 1973 and how women couldn’t even get a credit card. Can you imagine Venus and Serena without a credit card? I hope Althea [Gibson] is watching.”

Venus followed in Gibson’s remarkable path once again by defending her Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles. Gibson, also an African American, did it in 1958.

Since the French Open, Venus has lost once, and this was her fifth Grand Slam final. The power of her shots and wealth of experience gradually chipped away at Serena, who was broken in the fifth game at 30 and again in the seventh when she double-faulted.

“It was a bit tough out there,” Serena said. “I was fighting the wind, fighting myself because I was making too many errors, and I was fighting Venus. Actually, too many fights going on. I should have reduced it.”

Venus admitted it was painful to see her younger sister struggling on the other side of the net. The feelings did disappear, though, during the match.

“When I lost a couple of points, I wasn’t sorry anymore,” she said, smiling.

Venus got distracted on changeovers, watching the camera shots of celebrities on the big screen. Among those in attendance were Helen Hunt, Spike Lee, Carl Lewis, Robert Redford, Joe Torre, Sarah Jessica Parker and singer Brandy, who was sitting near Oracene.

“I was looking at the screen too,” Venus said. “I saw all of them they showed on the screen. I was thinking mostly about the match. But I liked watching the screen.”

The sibling aspect as well as the power and poise of the sisters have pulled in new tennis fans in addition to the celebrities. Serena handled the loss with grace. When she was younger, it was harder for her to say much in press conferences, much less smile.

She even joked about all the time she spent with Venus on Saturday. They practiced together and took an afternoon nap. “We didn’t nap in the same bed, if that’s what you’re getting at,” Serena said, laughing.

This time, she declared she was putting the match behind her and, well, she planned on winning her next tournament.

The fans got solidly behind Serena once she fell behind.

“I think maybe the older sisters and older brothers wanted Venus to win,” she said. “The younger sisters and brothers wanted me to win.”

Simply, Serena had trouble getting the ball past Venus. She would hit two or three shots, winners against anyone else, and the ball would come flying back. The match ended when Serena went chasing after a backhand and put in the net, and the racket went flying out of her hand.

They embraced at the net and exchanged warm words. Venus brought her courtside chair to sit next to Serena while they waited for the trophy presentations. This was their third meeting in a Grand Slam with Venus winning all three, including Wimbledon last year in the semifinals.

“Sisters are rivals,” Serena said. “I guess our fighting is done on the court only because we never fight.”

The historic night was over and Venus received the usual confetti shower by the locker-room attendants. A 6-year-old African-American girl named Rachel entered the locker room to meet the sisters. Confetti and rose petals dotted the floor. She was asked to name her favorite player. She didn’t hesitate.

“Venus and Serena,” she said.

Of course.