Sibling Rivalries Play Famous Sports Tennis Sisters Williams

Most sibling rivalries are limited to the home or "schoolyard" (the place where children play during the school day), with few "observers" (people who watch something) other than the parents. But a few famous sibling rivalries are being "played out" (shown for people to see) "in the public eye" (in the public; with the knowledge of many people), particularly in sports.

The sibling rivalry between tennis "stars" (someone who is very successful and well-known) and sisters Venus and Serena Williams is probably the best-known sibling rivalry in sports. They played their first professional "match" (one game in tennis) against each other in 1998, and have played against each other in many important tournaments, including at Wimbledon. Each woman has been named the top female tennis player and they play very "intensely" (with a lot of energy and concentration). Yet they also maintain a close relationship as sisters.

The Williams sisters are unusual, because they are both "at the top of their game" (playing very well). In most other sibling rivalries in sports, one sibling is better than the other. For example, brothers Michael and Ralf Schumacher are racecar drivers, but Michael is clearly a much stronger competitor than Ralf. This would seem to "exacerbate" (make worse) their sibling rivalry, but they continue to have a good relationship, and Ralf even joined his brother's team.

Finally, brothers and football players Peyton and Eli Manning both play the "quarterback" position in the NFL (national football league). Peyton is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the sport, but he has won only one Super Bowl Championship, while Eli has won two.