"If it's a crime, I should be arrested" - When Venus Williams was annoyed about being questioned about her and sister Serena Williams' tour schedule
Tennis legend Venus Williams was once annoyed with the media constantly asking her about her and sister Serena's WTA Tour schedule.
The Williams sisters are seen as two of the best players ever in tennis history. They were a formidable presence on the court, with Serena winning 23 Majors and Venus securing seven Grand Slam titles.
Coached by their father Richard, the duo were so dominant that from the 2001 US Open to the 2017 Australian Open; they competed in nine Major finals. Venus won two while Serena claimed victories in the rest. They were also a strong team in doubles, securing 14 Majors and three Olympic gold medals.
During a press conference at the 1999 US Open, Venus Williams was questioned about playing doubles with Serena at New Haven that same year to which she replied:
"I'm not sure if we were going to play. We said we might play. It was a 50/50 chance. Then she had a little injury."
Venus was also questioned about whether she and Serena would have participated in the singles event of the same tournament. She responded in the negative, explaining that her sister was already tired from extensive court time that week and needed a break.
"No, probably not. Because she had already played two weeks in a row. She was going to take a break," Venus said.
When the reporter began speculating that the sisters rarely played together in the singles draw of tournaments outside of the Grand Slams, the 43-year-old couldn't help but respond with a touch of humor:
"If it's a crime, I should be arrested."
Serena and Venus Williams won US Open 1999 doubles title together
Serena and Venus Williams clinched the 1999 US Open doubles title, securing their second title together in the division. They emerged victorious in the final against Chanda Rubin and Sandrine Testud.
Serena also won her first singles Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows that year, defeating Martina Hingis in the final. En route to the championship match, she had gotten past the likes of Kimberly Po, Jelena Kostanic, Kim Clijsters, Conchita Martinez, Monica Seles and defending champion Lindsay Davenport.
Meanwhile, Venus Williams, too, had a strong performance at her home Slam. The third seed reached the semifinals by overcoming Tatiana Poutchek, Anne-Gaelle Sidot, Henrieta Nagyova (W/O), Mary Joe Fernandez and Barbara Schett before being eliminated by Hingis.