How long ago was it? In the men’s final, Lleyton Hewitt defeated Pete Sampras.
THE WINNER SAID: “I always want Serena to win. It’s strange. I’m the bigger sister. I’m the one who takes care of her. I make sure she has everything even if I don’t. I love her. It’s hard.”
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THE TIMES SAID: “There was no doubt about the effort as they grunted and grimaced through every point.”
2002 French Open: Serena in Two Sets
Serena experienced the longest major title drought of her career between her first in 1999 and her second here. After winning her first French Open, 7-5, 6-3, Serena would not win another at Roland Garros for 11 years. Venus has not advanced past the quarterfinals in Paris since.
THE WINNER SAID: “I was really fighting for this for so long. At one point, I wouldn’t get past the quarters; then I got to the final,…
