Williams sisters rewind tennis to 2003

Melbourne Park appears to be in a time warp this fortnight.

It’s been a pulsating Australian Open but the old guard are still ruling the roost. So much so that Serena Williams and older sister Venus are to contest their 28th professional meeting on Saturday.

It’s a final few, if any would have predicted.

World No.2 Serena continues her pursuit of a 23rd Grand Slam title to break her Open era tie with German legend Steffi Graf.

Whereas seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus has gone under the radar in Australia, but has managed to book her first major final since the 2009 Wimbledon, and her first Down Under since 2003.

Both those finals were ended in defeats by Serena, who leads their astonishing record 16-11 across three decades. However Venus prevailed in their first ever professional bout, a second round triumph at the Australian Open back in 1998.

Their longevity and persistence is staggering. Just rewinding back to 2003 (their last Melbourne match-up) gives you an idea.

For starters Roger Federer hasn’t even won a Grand Slam yet! On the women’s side and the top six seeds were Serena, Venus, Jennifer Capriati, Kim Clijsters and Justin Henin-Ardenne and Monica Seles. Quite prestigious company.

Serena though was ruling supreme. She had won the previous three Grand Slams and defeated Venus 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4 in a titanic contest to hold all four majors simultaneously.

In doing so the world No.1 at the time (she’s return to the summit if she wins on Saturday) joined Maureen Connolly, Margaret Court, Martina Navratilova and Graf as the only players to achieve that feat.

“I can’t believe that I can be compared to these women, to be in their category is really amazing,” said Serena back in 2003.

“I am making history right now, it doesn’t happen every day.

“It’s been tough. All my life I’ve dreamt of being the best, there’s been a lot of opposition. It’s really special to have come such a long way.

“I never get choked up but I’m really, really emotional right now.”

The American sisters also clinched the 2003 Australian Open women’s doubles. It was 14 years ago! What a story.