ROCK OF AGES

Billie Jean tips Venus to claim her SIXTH singles title at the age of 37

BILLIE JEAN KING is backing Venus Williams to equal her tally of six Wimbledon singles titles at the age of 37.

But the tennis legend insisted her fellow American will be best remembered for transcending the sport and being “a leader on and off the court”.

Williams will add another milestone to her remarkable career by beating Garbine Muguruza in today’s final to become the oldest women’s champion since 1908.

And despite destroying Jo Konta in the semi-final, the older Williams sister will be the crowd favourite on Centre Court today.

King, who won her titles between 1966 and 1975, said: “I’d be delighted if she equalled my record. I was never into records. It was off the court that was the bigger picture, creating a better world. Tennis happened to be a platform.

“And Venus’s leadership off the court has been vital for equal prize money in all Majors. She has been a leader on and off the court and transcended her sport.

“I think of her as a citizen of the world. No matter where she goes in the world, when you see her – it doesn’t matter if it is Africa or Asia, Europe or South America – people just love her.” Williams won her seventh Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2008 before she was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition Sjogren’s syndrome in 2011.

But the Australian Open finalist has shown the will to return to the top of the game – and even overcame the emotional trauma of being involved in a fatal car accident last month to reach her ninth final in her 20th Wimbledon.

“I think at 37 it says a lot about her fortitude, especially finding out she had Sjogrens,” said BBC analyst King. Muguruza expressed her amazement that Williams still has so much “hunger” after achieving so much.

But 12-time Grand Slam winner King (left) said: “Champions always want to get better. They always want to improve, they want a new challenge.

“This has been a new challenge for her with Sjogrens. She has shown us – and given hope to a lot of people – what you can do with your life and your career if you take good care of yourself.

“If she can get a high percentage of first serves in and her forehand stays solid, I think she should win.”

Venus, who reached her first Major final at the 1997 US Open, said: “I have one more match that I’d like to be the winner of. I have to go out there and take it.”

Wimbledon coverage continues on BBC TV, radio and online.