Serena Williams beats sister Venus Williams to win record 23rd major as she regains top spot

Serena Williams has once again rewrote history, after beating her elder sister Venus Williams in the Australian Open final 6-4 6-4 to claim her 23rd grand slam title to surpass Steffi Graf in the all-time list of major winners for the Open Era lead.   

Serena, 35, defeated Venus in straight set to regain the number one ranking from German Angelique Kerber.

She now only trails all-time leader Margaret Court, of Australia who has won 24, grand slam titles.

“It’s never enough, 23, 24, 25,” “I felt like I really elevated my game this year,” Serena told the crowd after her victory on Saturday.

Congratulating her younger sister, Venus said;

"Congratulations Serena on number 23," “Your win has always been my win,” “All the times I couldn’t be there, didn’t get there, you were there.”

Venus is 36, became the oldest Australian Open finalist in the Open era.

In tribute to Venus who was playing her first major final in eight years, Serena said;

"There's no way I would be at 23 without her. There's no way I'd be at one without her. She's my inspiration.

"She's the only reason I'm standing here today. She's the only reason the Williams sisters exist. Thank you for inspiring me. Every time you won this week, I felt like I got a win too."