In 1996, Great Britain faced widespread panic due to mad cow disease, Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” dominated as album of the year, Benjamin Netanyahu became Israel’s prime minister, and Tupac Shakur tragically passed away. That year at Wimbledon, Steffi Graf clinched her 20th Grand Slam singles title by defeating Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario.

This marked the last year until 2024 that the Wimbledon draw did not feature either Venus or Serena Williams. Reflecting on this, it spans an impressive 28-year period, exceeding even Roger Federer’s streak by a decade and surpassing Coco Gauff’s entire lifetime.

While many might lament Wimbledon’s potential diminishment without the Williams sisters, their era at the tournament was iconic. Venus, with her regal presence and memorable performances, and Serena, with her thunderous serves echoing across Centre Court, left indelible marks on tennis history. However, as new stars like Iga, Coco, Marketa, Jessica, Aryna, and Elena emerge, the tournament evolves, and spectators’ admiration shifts to a new generation.

Critics sometimes question the adulation and financial rewards showered on top tennis stars, forgetting how quickly fame can fade once the spotlight moves on. In tennis, yesterday’s triumphs swiftly become today’s memories, soon relegated to digital archives.

Yet, the enduring legacy of Venus and Serena Williams persists. Venus, at 44, boasts a remarkable Wimbledon record of 90-19, winning five out of nine finals, with Garbiñe Muguruza being the only non-Williams to defeat her in a final (2017). Serena, at 42, came close to winning 100 matches at Wimbledon (98-14), clinching 7 titles out of 11 finals, with Maria Sharapova, Angelique Kerber, and Simona Halep as her only final opponents besides Venus.

Their dominance extended beyond singles, capturing six Wimbledon doubles titles together and remaining undefeated in 14 Grand Slam doubles finals—an unparalleled achievement in tennis history.

While Wimbledon moves forward without them, the Williams sisters’ impact transcends statistics. They defied odds, revolutionized the game, and inspired a new generation of players. Their story, though no longer unfolding on the courts, continues to resonate as a testament to their enduring legacy and transformative influence on tennis.