Childhood photos show the beginning of Serena and Venus’ sibling rivalry

As Serena and Venus prepare to face each other on court for 30th time, photos have emerged of them playing as children and teenagers as their friendly sibling rivalry blossomed.

The Williams sisters will play each other in the third round of the Grand Slam tournament in Queens tomorrow – with the winner moving on to the round of 16.

Friday will mark the 16th time that they have played each other at Grand Slams, and the 30th time that they’ve competed against each other professionally. The first time they faced each other was back in 1998, when Venus shut down Serena in the Australian Open’s second round. 

As Serena and Venus prepare to face each other on court for 30th time, photos have emerged of them playing as children and teenagers as their friendly sibling rivalry blossomed (pictured together in 1991) 

They were pictured on April 20, 1991, leaning against the fences on a break at the Compton tennis courts, South Central Los Angeles. Venus, then aged 11, and Serena, 9, had just completed a training session with their father

They were pictured on April 20, 1991, leaning against the fences on a break at the Compton tennis courts, South Central Los Angeles. Venus, then aged 11, and Serena, 9, had just completed a training session with their father

In another photo, 11-year-old Venus listened to her father's advice during the game at the Compton tennis courts, South Central Los Angeles, California, April 20 1991

In another photo, 11-year-old Venus listened to her father’s advice during the game at the Compton tennis courts, South Central Los Angeles, California, April 20 1991

American tennis player Venus Williams, 11, covers her face after missing a serve during a training session at the Compton tennis courts, South Central Los Angeles, California, April 20 1991. Borth her and her sister, Serena, were being coached by their father, Richard Williams. (Photo by Paul Harris/Getty Images)

Always competitive, Venus Williams, 11, covered her face after missing a serve during a training session at the Compton tennis courts

The Williams sisters will play each other in the third round of the Grand Slam tournament in Queens tomorrow – with the winner moving on to the round of 16 (Venus Williams celebrates after winning the women’s singles second round match against Camila Giorgi of Italy at the 2018 US Open, left, Serena Williams in her women’s singles second round match against Carina Witthoeft of Germany on Day Three of the 2018 US Open on August 29, right) 

Serena Williams is seen in action against Carina Witthoeft of Germany while wearing a tennis outfit designed by Virgil Abloh and designed in conjunction with Nike, in the second round of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on August 28, 2018 in New York City

Serena Williams is seen in action against Carina Witthoeft of Germany while wearing a tennis outfit designed by Virgil Abloh and designed in conjunction with Nike, in the second round of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on August 28, 2018 in New York City

Serena, who is seeded 17th, has won six U.S. Open singles championships, while Venus who is 16th, has won two.

But it’s anyone’s guess who will win tomorrow.

The sisters’ sibling rivalry appears to have started early on. 

Black and white photos of their childhood shows them both on the court, under the careful guidance of their father and coach Richard Williams. 

Richard Williams, center, with his daughters Venus, left, and Serena 1991 in Compton, California 

Richard Williams, center, with his daughters Venus, left, and Serena 1991 in Compton, California 

Richard Williams practices with his daughter, Serena, left and Venus, right, 1991 in Compton, CA 

The sisters kept things friendly by shaking hands after the match at Compton, California, in 1991

The sisters kept things friendly by shaking hands after the match at Compton, California, in 1991

Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams stand with former president Ronald Reagan at a tennis camp in Florida in 1990

Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams stand with former president Ronald Reagan at a tennis camp in Florida in 1990

They were pictured on April 20, 1991, leaning against the fences on a break at the Compton tennis courts, South Central Los Angeles. Venus, then aged 11, and Serena, 9, had just completed a training session with their father.

In another photo, 11-year-old Venus listened to her father’s advice during the game, while the sisters kept things friendly by shaking hands after the match at Compton.

A later picture, taken in January 1998, showed the sisters once again holding hands in solidarity after their center court match at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia – the first time they faced each other professionally.

Venus, then 17, won the match 7-6, 6-1 against Serena, then 16. 

A later picture, taken in January 1998, showed the sisters once again holding hands in solidarity after their center court match at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia - the first time they faced each other professionally 

A later picture, taken in January 1998, showed the sisters once again holding hands in solidarity after their center court match at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia – the first time they faced each other professionally 

Venus (R) and Serena (L) Williams of the US discuss tactics during the first round of the women's doubles at the Australian Open in Melbourne that same year

Venus (R) and Serena (L) Williams of the US discuss tactics during the first round of the women’s doubles at the Australian Open in Melbourne that same year

Venus Williams (L) raises the arm of her younger sister Serena Williams (R) after their second round encounter at the Australia Open in Melbourne

Venus Williams (L) raises the arm of her younger sister Serena Williams (R) after their second round encounter at the Australia Open in Melbourne

The sisters kept their competitive spirit alive even off the tennis court, taking part in the Celebrity 2-ball competition with the NBA All-Star Game Weekend in New York City where Venus teamed with actor Jamie Foxx and Serena teamed with actor Daryl Mitchell in the two-player format

The sisters kept their competitive spirit alive even off the tennis court, taking part in the Celebrity 2-ball competition with the NBA All-Star Game Weekend in New York City where Venus teamed with actor Jamie Foxx and Serena teamed with actor Daryl Mitchell in the two-player format

The sisters kept their competitive spirit alive even off the tennis court, taking part in the Celebrity 2-ball competition with the NBA All-Star Game Weekend in New York City where Venus teamed with actor Jamie Foxx and Serena teamed with actor Daryl Mitchell in the two-player format.

Venus has said previously that her love of the game began when she was just five years old.

And her incredible talent, and encouraging parents, meant that she had the confidence and attitude of a winner from a young age.

An ABC News interview has emerged from 1995, featuring 14-year-old Venus, and her dad, when the teen is asked if she thinks she can beat an opponent she’s about to face.

‘I know I can beat her…I’m very confident,’ a smiling Venus William told correspondent John McKenzie.

An ABC News interview has emerged from 1995, featuring 14-year-old Venus, and her dad, when the teen is asked if she thinks she can beat an opponent she's about to face

An ABC News interview has emerged from 1995, featuring 14-year-old Venus, and her dad, when the teen is asked if she thinks she can beat an opponent she’s about to face

When asked why so confident, Venus was all ready to defend herself, and began to explain: 'Cause I believe it...' when her father stepped in to shut the interview down

When asked why so confident, Venus was all ready to defend herself, and began to explain: ‘Cause I believe it…’ when her father stepped in to shut the interview down

McKenzie seemed surprised, asking her: ‘You say it so easily. Why?’ 

Venus was all ready to defend herself, and began to explain: ‘Cause I believe it…’ when her father stepped in to shut the interview down.  

‘Let me tell you why. What she said, she said it with so much confidence the first time, but you keep going on and on.

‘You’ve got to understand that you’re dealing with the image of a 14-year-old child. And this child is gonna be out there playing when your old ass and me are gonna be in the grave. 

American tennis players and sisters Venus Williams (left) and Serena Williams pose with a fire engine during the Lipton Tennis Championships at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Florida, circa March 1998

American tennis players and sisters Venus Williams (left) and Serena Williams pose with a fire engine during the Lipton Tennis Championships at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Florida, circa March 1998

‘When she say something, we done tell you what’s happening. You’re dealing with a little black kid and you let her be a kid. She done answered it with a lot of confidence. Leave that alone.’

Now that little kid is all grown up and ready to face her sister for the 30th time.

‘It’s definitely going to be a really tough match for me,’ her sister Serena told the New York Times. 

‘Once again, it’s early in the tournament. You know, it is what it is.’

‘Unfortunately and fortunately we have to play each other,’ Serena continued. ‘We make each other better. We bring out the best when we play each other. It’s what we do. So, I think we’re used to it now.’  

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