Williams sisters win doubles title
WIMBLEDON, England -- One Wimbledon title wasn't enough for Serena Williams.
About five hours after Williams won her fifth singles title by beating Agnieszka Radwanska, she and sister Venus were back on Centre Court to beat Czech duo Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 7-5, 6-4 on Saturday in the doubles final.
It was their fifth Wimbledon doubles title together, and came shortly after Venus watched her little sister win the singles final.
"I was definitely inspired by Serena's singles performance," Venus said. "Obviously it's wonderful to play on the court with her. I couldn't have done it without her, so it's great."
Both sisters have battled health issues over the last two years, with Venus having been diagnosed with an energy-sapping illness and Serena overcoming blood clots in her lungs and two operations after cutting her feet on glass in 2010.
This was their first doubles tournament together in two years, and they looked as if they hadn't missed a beat.
"She's such a fighter, you never say die," Venus said about her sister. "I don't think either of us believe that we can be defeated by anything. Nothing has defeated us yet, so we're going to keep that track record."
Serena was the last woman to win both the singles and doubles titles at Wimbledon, in 2009.
Playing under the closed roof, Venus Williams served out the match less than 15 minutes before the 11 p.m. deadline for the end of play on Centre Court.
Had the match gone to a third set, they probably would have had to come back and finish it off on Sunday.
"I told Venus on the court, it doesn't matter," Serena said. "We weren't really racing the clock, we were just playing our opponents who were playing really tough and really good."
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE TENNIS HEADLINES
- Canada teen Bouchard gains Strasbourg semis
- Querrey loses to Roger-Vasselin at Nice Open
- Qualifier Pella advances to Duesseldorf semis
- Del Potro, Fish, Baker out of French Open
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
Wimbledon 2012 -- June 25-July 8
Women's singles:
Serena Williams
Men's singles:
Roger Federer
Women's doubles:
Serena and Venus Williams
Men's doubles:
Jonathan Marray and Frederik Nielsen
Mixed doubles:
Lisa Raymond and Mike Bryan
CourtCast
Slam Central »
Follow us on Twitter »
Watch on ESPN
Wimbledon.com »
Wimbledon alerts: Text "Wimbledon" to 43776
Day 13
-
• Federer beats Murray; wins 17th Slam
• Garber: Roger Federer's return to glory
• Bryant: The final word from Wimbledon
• Bryan, Raymond win mixed doubles title
• Federer wins seventh Wimbledon title
• A magical moment for Roger Federer
• Tough one to swallow for Andy Murray
• Five things we learned from men's final
Day 12
-
• Serena stops Radwanska to win Wimbledon
• Garber: Serena rides savage serve to title
• Bodo: The sky-high stakes in Federer-Murray
• Bryant: No more moral victories for Murray
• Tandon: What to watch in Federer-Murray
• Serena wins fifth Wimbledon title
• Serena one of the greatest all time
• Serena's thank-you speech
• Serena on win over Radwanska
• Digital Serve: Men's final preview
Day 11
-
• Federer dumps Djokovic; will play Murray
• Finalist Radwanska battling illness
• Williams sisters reach doubles final
• Garber: Just like old times for Roger Federer
• Bryant: Can Murray destroy the demons?
• Ubha: Djokovic clearly off his game
• Bodo: Hopeless cause for Radwanska?
• Tandon: Five things to watch in the final
• Tandon: From au natural to all made up
• Blog: Wimbledon businesses benefit
• Vote: Who will win the final?
• Digital Serve: Serena's final to lose
• Brad Gilbert's analysis on Federer
• Roger Federer takes down Djokovic
• Roger Federer ecstatic
• Murray's dream almost here
• Murray reaches first Wimbledon final
• Can Murray beat Fed?
• 5 things we learned from the men's semis
Day 10
-
• Serena stops Azarenka to reach final
• Garber: Serena serves Azarenka off court
• Ubha: Serena conquers inner demons
• Tandon: How much will grass help Federer?
• Vitale: Breakfast at Wimbledon, Baby!
• Digital Serve: Men's semifinal preview
• Lendl on coaching Murray
• Rinaldi looks at the Fed-Djoker rivalry
• Radwanska takes care of Kerber
• 5 things we learned
• Serena's dominant performance
• Serena ecstatic with win
• The essence of power
• Serena spoils Azarenka's bid
Day 9
-
• Bryant: Murray, Tsonga believe
• Ubha: Five takeaways from the quarters
• Garber: Fed shows legends majestic game
• Tandon: Don't listen to Serena's words
• Harwitt: Why to watch Radwanska-Kerber
• Digital Serve: Women's semifinal preview
• Novak Djokovic dispatches Florian Mayer
• Federer whips Youzhny
• 5 things we learned
• Tsonga defeats Kohlschreiber
• Murray foils Ferrer's bid
• Men's semifinal preview
Day 8
-
• Recaps: Men | Women
• Bryant: Williams ready for all comers
• Harwitt: Azarenka blooms at Wimbledon
• Garber: Fish went beyond expectations
• Bryant: Federer is not done yet
• Ubha: Not the end for Baker
• 5 things we learned on Day 8
• Serena takes out Kvitova
• Nothing to lose for Serena
• Murray reaches quarterfinals
• What's next for Brian Baker?
Day 7
-
• Recaps: Men | Women
• Garber: Worst-case scenario for Sharapova
• Manic Monday live blog
• Clijsters falls short in final Wimbledon
• Digital Serve: Women's quarters preview
• Tom Rinaldi behind the scenes
• Sharapova blown off court
• Serena holds off Shvedova
• Drama for Serena Williams
• 5 things we learned on Day 7
Middle Sunday
-
• Garber: Players dreaming of Olympic gold
• Ubha: Super Monday breakdown
• Federer ready to rebound
• Players can't wait for the Olympics
• Digital Serve: Day 7 Men's preview
• Digital Serve: Day 7 Women's preview