The active tour star who became the last player to defeat both Williams sisters

Originally posted on HITC | By Callum Davies | Last updated Nov 27, 2025 12:11 PM ET

One underappreciated star achieved a feat once reserved for tennis legends — and she’s still active on the tour today.

During the height of Serena and Venus Williams’ dominance, even defeating one of them was considered a career-defining achievement. Their power, intelligence and championship experience turned each match into a monumental challenge for anyone standing across the net.

Yet in an era filled with elite competitors and Grand Slam champions, only a small group ever managed to beat both sisters in the same tournament — a list featuring icons such as Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis. What few fans remember is that the final player to accomplish this rare double wasn’t one of those household names.

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Pliskova becomes the last player to defeat both Williams sisters in a single tournament

Heading into the US Open as the 10th seed, Karolina Pliskova carried significant expectations at 33 years old — but few anticipated the extraordinary run she would piece together. After winning her opening three matches in straight sets, she faced Venus Williams in the fourth round and rallied from a set down to advance.

Her momentum only grew from there. In the semi-final, she stunned top seed Serena Williams in straight sets, becoming the last player ever to beat both Serena and Venus in the same event. The 23-time Grand Slam champion retired six years later, cementing Pliskova’s unique place in tennis history. Her dream run ultimately ended with a loss to Angelique Kerber in the final.

Why Pliskova said she felt ‘calm’ before facing Serena Williams

Despite the magnitude of the occasion, Pliskova later revealed she felt surprisingly composed heading into her match against Serena. She acknowledged pre-match nerves earlier in the day but said they disappeared when she stepped onto the court. “I was pretty calm today… I just wanted to win, actually,” she explained.

Her comments echoed earlier remarks suggesting Iga Swiatek was a tougher matchup for her than Serena — a view supported by her 2–2 career head-to-head against the American legend.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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