Venus desire burns bright

BECOMING the oldest Grand Slam singles champion at the age of 37 would be an incredible achievement.

But Venus Williams is two matches away from more history after serious illness and then her involvement in a fatal car accident.

After four years dealing with the effects of Sjogren’s syndrome, the older Williams (below) has returned to make the last 16 of six consecutive Majors.

Yet few could have predicted the five-time

Wimbledon champion would make her 10th semi-final here after her clear emotional distress following her first-round win over Elise Mertens.

On June 9, Williams’ car was struck by another vehicle at a crossroads. A

78-year-old passenger died of his injuries two weeks later and the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department initially blamed her before video evidence proved she was not at fault.

Last Monday, Williams left her post-match press conference in tears when asked about the accident.

“I’m completely speechless,” she sobbed. Venus is even more isolated in London without her pregnant sister Serena, or her father Richard, who suffered a stroke last year.

“They’re definitely here with me, for sure,” said the world No.11. “Even if it’s not physically, they’re definitely here with me. They’re fighting right alongside me.”