Serena Williams triumphed over her older sister Venus 6-4 6-4 in a vintage Australian Open final on Saturday to win her 23rd grand slam singles title.
Serena, a beaten finalist in Melbourne last year, becomes the most successful female tennis player in the open era.
It was a seventh victory in Melbourne Park for the 35-year-old American and sent her clear of Germany’s Steffi Graf at the top of the list of most prolific grand slam winners since the Open era began in 1968.
Tributes have been pouring in for the younger Williams sister, with American legend Billie Jean King leading the way.
Congrats @serenawilliams on your 23rd major title and return to the top of the@WTA rankings. You are a history maker and a trailblazer.
“I really would like to take this moment to congratulate Venus. She’s an amazing person,” said Serena courtside, who hit 10 aces and 27 winners on the night.
“There’s no way I would be at 23 without her. There’s no way I’d be at one without her. She’s my inspiration.
“She’s the only reason I’m standing here today. She’s the only reason the Williams sisters exist. Thank you for inspiring me. Every time you won this week, I felt like I got a win too.
“She deserves an incredible round of applause, she’s made an amazing comeback. I definitely think she’ll be standing here next year. I don’t like the world comeback – she never left.”
Williams sisters in warm embrace after the match
The second seed overcame a stuttering serve to take a pulsating opening set and one break of 36-year-old Venus’s serve proved enough to claim the second after 82 minutes in a rocking Rod Laver Arena, with Margaret Court, winner of 24 Grand Slam singles, in the stands.
The victory ensured Serena would regain the world No 1 ranking from Germany’s Angelique Kerber on Monday.
For Venus, the fight for an eighth major title goes on.
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