Loss won’t put Venus off game

VENUS Williams vowed to make amends for her Wimbledon final heartache by ending a bittersweet year on a high at the US Open.

Williams failed in her bid to become the oldest Grand Slam champion in the Open era as the American star was crushed 7-5, 6-0 by Garbine Muguruza in Saturday’s title match.

Instead of celebrating her sixth Wimbledon title, and first major trophy since 2008, the 37-year-old trudged off Centre Court looking her age for virtually the first time in her unexpected 2017 renaissance.

Venus, beaten by sister Serena in the Australian Open final in January, has reached the two grand slam finals in the same year for the first time since 2003.

Given her battle with the auto-immune disease that leaves her fatigued and once threatened to end her career, Venus’s return to prominence is a tribute to her ferocious will to win.

“I’m in good form. I’ve been in a position a lot of times this year to contend for big titles,” Venus said.

“That’s the kind of position I want to keep putting myself in. It’s just about getting over the line. I believe I can do that.

“I’ve had a great two weeks. I’m looking forward to the rest of the summer.”