Williams vs Williams is the best sibling rivalry in sports but which others come close?

What was the first competitive game you played, growing up? A game of hide-and-seek? Backyard cricket with a plastic ball and bat? If you are not a single child, chances are that your sibling was a part of it.

For most kids, one of the first major rivalries in childhood – healthy or otherwise – is with a sibling. It’s hard to ignore their achievements that make the parents go gaga over and it’s harder to avoid gloating when it’s your turn to pull off something impressive.

Very few of these rivalries go on to become prominent internationally. In professional sports, this rivalry often evolves into excellent on-field camaraderie when siblings turn up to represent the same team. Mike and Bob Bryan – the all-conquering doubles team in men’s tennis – is the best example of that. We also have the Waugh brothers and the Flower brothers in Cricket.

But when it comes to professional rivalry between siblings, there are a few that stand out.

Venus and Serena Williams

The longevity of this rivalry at the highest level alone is startling. They first played each other in Australian Open in 1998 in the second round and here they were 17 years later in tennis’ most famous center court, taking each other on in the fourth round of Wimbledon.

This was the 13th Grand Slam meeting between the Williams sisters – with Serena winning eight of them, Monday’s 67-minute, 6-4 6-3 win included. Only one pair has played each other more times at Grand Slams in the Open Era - Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova (22 times).

But what is even more extraordinary is the number of times they have directly fought for a slam title. The eight times that the Williams sisters have met in Grand Slam finals is second only to the 14 meetings between Evert and Navratilova.

“I would be rooting for Venus,” said Serena before the match.

“Back then, we were definitely fun to watch. I think we still are. I’ll be cheering for her,” said Venus.

The spectators didn’t care. When they took on each other at the biggest stage, it was special. It wasn’t a classic that fans wanted to see, but it had its moments when Venus matched Serena shot for shot, her famous booming forehand winners making a special appearance.

It is a spectacle that’s unmatched in this era of Women’s tennis.

Michael and Ralf Schumacher

If ever a sibling rivalry in sport has an abundant place for jealousy, this would be it.

While Michael owns the record books of Formula One, Ralf is barely a footnote. Their careers have heavily contrasting numbers - Michael’s 91 race wins dwarfing Ralf’s six.

“It’s difficult to answer as to how the relationship works,” Ralf had said in 2003 when their rivalry was probably at its closest with Ralf moving to Williams team in 2000. “Yes, we’ll always be brothers. Yes, we’re very close but we are very competitive at the same time.”

“Michael’s too competitive to look after me. I know where his limits are and where my limits are,” said Ralf about his brother who is six years older.

The only season Ralf spent in Formula One where Michael was not racing was 2007 – a year after the legend’s first retirement. There was no ‘stepping out of the shadows’ in that season either as Ralf failed to even get on the podium once.

But Ralf will treasure the win at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2001 when he finished ahead of Micheal, who started at pole position. That’s the only instance so far of a sibling one-two in Formula One history. And that was with Ralf finishing first.

Peyton and Eli Manning

The Manning brothers, who both play quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) are a very interesting pair of siblings. Most watchers of the league will agree the elder brother Peyton is one of the greatest quarterbacks to have graced the league. He holds a plethora of records.

But the younger Eli has won two Super Bowl Championships compared to Peyton’s one. The two championships that Eli won, he won them with game-winning touchdown drives. Peyton has developed a reputation for reaching playoffs regularly only to falter before the final hurdle – losing 13 of the 24 knockout games he’s played. Eli has won 8 of the 11 he’s played.

In his own words though, whereas Peyton is the better quarterback, Eli is the better driver, the better dresser, better cook and more importantly, the better lover.

Kevin-Prince and Jerome Boateng

Football, the most popular sport in the world, has seen numerous instances of brothers playing together for the same country, sometimes for the same clubs, and often against each others’ clubs. The Nevilles, the Laudrups, the Ferdinands to mention a few.

But, in what is one of the most unique occurrences in world sport, Kevin-Prince and Jerome Boateng – half-brothers who grew up in challenging circumstances in Germany – played against each other in two FIFA World Cup encounters. It was, of course, the first time it had ever happened in the World Cup’s 85-year history.

The elder, more flamboyant, more aggressive Kevin-Prince decided to play for his country of origin Ghana. Jerome, the more studious, often shy, younger brother chose Germany.

And in June 2010, World Cup history was created when the brothers walked out for different countries to face each other. History repeated itself in 2014 as fate pitted the two countries in the same group again.

Opinionated and often-controversial Kevin-Prince is still seen as a villain in Germany, for a tackle on then German captain Michael Ballack which ruled him out of the World Cup in South Africa.

“The public’s image of him isn’t the best in Germany,” Jerome had said before their rematch in Brazil. “That wasn’t his intention but it happened and it seemed to confirm a lot of people’s stereotype: ’the ghetto kicker’ from the troubled district, the gangster footballer from Wedding. He was made a villain in Germany over that foul.”

They might not have always been on talking terms, but Jerome still defends his elder brother ardently.

Yusuf and Irfan Pathan

India could have had their own chapter in the list of sporting rivalries. While IPL made it possible for these brothers to play against each other, the more-talented and mercurial Irfan Pathan was derailed by injuries. Yusuf Pathan, on the other hand, has gone on to establish himself as a lynchpin for Kolkata Knight Riders.

We could have had so many more fun interviews like this one .

Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko

Definitely the odd one out in this list, this is a sibling rivalry that never actually was.

Recalling the day from childhood when elder brother Vitali introduced him to boxing, Wladimir said, “He hit me so hard I saw stars. I thought, ‘This is not for me.’”

Both went on to become great champions from Ukraine, competing in the same heavyweight category, but the Klitshcko brothers never fought against each other.

The reason? A promise they made their mother, of course.

“I wouldn’t do it, even for $1 billion,” Wladimir told Bloomberg . “You can’t put a price on your mother’s heart.”