Venus eyes historic 6th title
WIMBLEDON Oldest finalist in 23 years, Venus Williams returns to the summit clash after eight years to face Muguruza
At an age when her contemporaries have long since retired, Venus Williams says she is playing some of the best tennis of her life, but the Wimbledon finalist isn’t finished yet as she eyes a place in the record books.
Williams is the oldest Wimbledon finalist for 23 years after she over-powered Britain’s Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2.
The 37-year-old returns to the All England Club title match after an eight-year absence and will be the oldest Grand Slam champion in the Open era if she beats Spain’s Garbine Muguruza on Saturday.
That would give Venus a sixth Wimbledon title, and eighth Grand Slam crown, nine years after she last lifted the trophy, completing an incredible comeback after she battled an autoimmune disease that left her fatigued and threatened to force her out of tennis.
In the twilight of her career, Venus has hit a rich vein of form over the last 12 months.
She was Australian Open runner-up in January to sister Serena, only to have her life thrown into turmoil last month when she was accidently involved in a car crash in Florida that led to the death of an elderly man.
A less strong-willed personality would have gone into hiding, but Venus, after choking back tears when asked about the incident at the start of Wimbledon, has taken solace in her tennis.
“There were definitely some issues. There’s definitely a lot of ups and downs,” Venus said.
“I just try to hold my head up high, no matter what is happening in life. In sport especially, you have injuries. You have illnesses.
“You’re not going to be always playing 100 percent. If I decide to walk out on the court, I try to just compete that day. That’s what I try to do.”
WILLED PERSONALITY WOULD HAVE GONE INTO HIDING, BUT VENUS HAS TAKEN SOLACE IN HER TENNIS“
Ominously for Muguruza, who lost the 2015 Wimbledon final to Venus’s sister Serena, the American is certain she is close to the form that saw her dominate a decade ago.
“I’ve played some good tennis in different points of my life. I think it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to play well and to be strong,” she said.
“Experience can either work against you or for you. I like to think it’s working for me.
“This year has been amazing in terms of my play, playing deep into the big events.
“I’m definitely in the position I want to be in. It’s a long two weeks. Now I’m knocking on the door for a title. This is where I want to be.”
Konta had marched onto Centre Court hoping to become the first British woman to reach the final since Virginia Wade in 1977, but the world number seven trudged off 73 minutes later with her dream in tatters
Serving a 106mph second serve on break point at 4-4 in the first set was just one example of the nerveless way Williams shattered Konta’s spirit.
“I don’t know if it was the be all and end all but it took my break point chance away. It showed why she’s a five-time champion,” Konta said.
“That was one of the few opportunities I had and she took them away.”
He’s done it again. That’s who he is and that’s the thing we love about him. He has done so much for us on the tour. We love Andy Murray
Serena Williams says all women players “love” Andy Murray after the British star won plaudits for slapping down a Wimbledon reporter over “casual sexism”. Murray’s defence of his Wimbledon title came to an end at the hands of America’s Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
In his post-match press conference, the 30-year-old was asked for his thoughts on Querrey who was described by a reporter “as the first American to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since 2009”.
However, Murray quickly corrected the questioner. “First male player,” he shot back.
Williams, the winner of a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles -- 12 of which have come since Andy Roddick was the last US man to make the semifinals of a Slam at Wimbledon in 2009 -- hailed Murray Serena Williams is backing older sister Venus to keep the Wimbledon title in the family for another year when the 37-year-old takes on Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in the women’s final on Saturday. “I have to believe that, and I know she has to believe that. We work so many years for these moments that she has right now, and I’m really happy for her,” Serena told Yahoo Sports. as a great champion of women’s sport.
“There should not be a woman athlete or tennis player who is not totally supportive of Andy Murray,” Williams told ESPN’s SC6 programme.
“He has spoken up for women’s rights and issues especially in tennis forever.
“He’s done it again. That’s who he is and that’s the thing we love about him. He has done so much for us on the tour. We love Andy Murray.”
Williams, 35, won her seventh Wimbledon title in 2016 but has skipped the tournament this year as she prepares to give birth to her first child next month.