Venus rolls back hands of time
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 overpowered Britain’s Johanna Konta 64, 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 today.
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 runnerup 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%. If I decide to walk out on the court, I try to just compete that day. That’s what I try to do.”
Ominously for Muguruza, who lost the 2015 Wimbledon final to 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,” she said.
“Experience can either work against you or for you. I like to think it’s working for me.