PARIS — Out on Court 3 in the gloaming, Serena and Venus Williams were playing ferocious doubles: ripping returns and passing shots with unmistakable intent; finishing each serve with a bit of extra venom.
“They are thinking Olympics with every stroke of the ball,” said Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena’s coach. “Serena’s got the desire here, doubles and singles.”
A great deal has changed since the Williamses first arrived at Roland Garros: Venus, the older sister, in 1997; Serena in 1998.
Back then, there were no skycams zipping along overhead and no digital scoreboards glowing in the fading light.