VENUS AND SERENA…OR SERENA AND VENUS…OR THE BEST LIFE HAS TO OFFER
What more could possibly be said about Venus and Serena Williams, their father Richard, their mother, Oracene Price, their siblings, offspring, extendeds… and who knows whom else in their orbit?
The bond these two sisters developed as children, sustained, and enjoy today, is far beyond the scope and measure of words.
Or description of any sort.
Tennis may have fueled and driven this phenomenon, but it’s bigger than that.
There are few sibling acts in sports history that rival this one.
Pau and Marc Gasol were major players in the NBA for years.
Hockey Hall-of-Famers Phil and the late Tony Esposito authored records which speak for themselves.
Bob and Mike Bryan–the Bryan brothers–represent the most successful pairing in the history of doubles tennis.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard and his kid brother Henri, “The Pocket Rocket,” — Montreal Canadiens extraordinaire–won 19 Stanley Cups between them.
Jim and John Harbaugh…
Basketball’s Cheryl and Reggie Miller became Naismith Hall of Fame siblings.
The Klitschko brothers–Vitali and Wladimir–were world-class heavyweight boxers.
And what about Peyton and Eli Manning?
Bottom line?
Venus and Serena stand head and shoulders above them all.
And honestly, it’s not even close.
No matter.
Retirement is in the offing for each.
As it should be.
The natural order of progression.
Sue Bird could tell you that.
Allyson Felix too.
And Sylvia Fowles.
When is it time to go?
Willie Mays didn’t get it exactly right.
Jordan?
Brett Favre?
Countless others.
Wearing blinders or just plain clueless.
Ego?
The moment the thought creeps into your head that you may have lost a quarter-of-a-step here or there, should rightfully serve as a subtle reminder that nothing lasts forever.
Not for the greats, and not for the rest of us.
Tough pill to swallow.
So?
What comes next?
The rest of your life.
May God be willing.
Be happy and be grateful.
End of report.
[Editor’s Note: This piece was written by Mr. Kaplan in September 2022.]
