Venus Breaks Grand Slam Record - 129 MPH Serve In Honor of Althea Gibson

Both Williams sisters have started off strong winning both of their opening matches. Venus broke a serving record after slamming a 129 MPH serve to her opponent Kira Nagy of Hungary 6-2, 6-1. Serena beat Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-3, 7-5. Last nights matches started off with Aretha Franklin doing her thang and singing "Respect" to honor the 50th anniversary of the first U.S National Championship title for a black tennis player, Althea Gibson.

The sisters narrated a video that opened a tribute to Gibson, who was the first black man or woman to enter (in 1950) and to win (in 1957) Wimbledon and the tournament that's now called the U.S. Open.

"I know every time I step out on the court I play for me and I play for all the other African-American kids out there who have a dream and might not have the means," Serena said.

"I have all the opportunities today because of people like Althea," Venus Williams said. "Just trying to follow in her footsteps."

Such a role model! kudos to you both!