Serena Williams made history at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday by becoming only the fifth woman to win four consecutive major titles. She completed her set of Grand Slam titles with a win over sister Venus in the final.
Serena overcame her sister 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-4 to take the title, although technically it is not a Grand Slam as she did not win all four events in the same calendar year.
Serena burst into tears on receiving the winner's trophy, explaining that she could not believe she had matched the achievements of such tennis legends as Martina Navratilova and Margaret Court.
"I dreamed of being the best and doing the best. I had a lot of opposition, it hasn't always been easy for me. It's really special to have come such a long way, a really good feeling," she said.
"I am making history right now, it doesn't happen every day. The last person was Steffi Graf and I am just really happy to be able to do that. I just can't believe I can be compared to these women. I have always looked up to them, I am not sure I can accomplish everything they have, but to be in their category is really amazing," she added.
Although Venus had put up the better performance throughout this year's Australian Open, it was Serena who upped her game and the fight to come through in the final. However, she paid tribute to her sister's battling tendancies.
"It's been a really tough one for me. In the past two Slams I don't think I dropped a set. Venus played unbelievably. It was just really difficult. She wasn't going away. She hit so many big serves today. I didn't think I would be able to pull it out."
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
