This time Venus Williams does it for herself
LONDON: Venus Williams last graced Centre Court in a Wimbledon singles final in 2009, since when she’s got used to playing the supporting role for sister Serena in four triumphant All England Club campaigns.
So the 37-year-old, carrying the hopes of the Williams family while her younger sibling takes time out to have a baby, should be forgiven a moment of self-doubt after a clinical victory over Britain’s Johanna Konta yesterday gave her a shot at another title.
“Serena’s always in my corner and usually it’s her in these finals and I’m trying my best to represent Williams as best I can,” Venus said after her 6-4 6-2 win.
“I missed (Serena) so much before this match and ... I just wish she was here and I wish she could do this for me. I was like, no, this time you do it for yourself. So here we are.”
The SW19 major has been kind to both sisters, who have turned its manicured lawns into something of a personal fiefdom since the turn of the century.
Seven of Serena’s record 23 grand slam victories have come here. So have five of Venus’ seven – the first as long ago as 2000 and the last in 2008.
Tomorrow the older Williams will seek to become the oldest major winner in the women’s game since it turned professional, eclipsing her sister’s record.
Standing in her way will be Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, who lost her previous Wimbledon final in 2015, to Serena.
“One more win would be amazing. It won’t be a given, but I’m going to give it my all,” Venus said.
“We both play really well on grass. The last time she played Serena, so I’ll have to ask Serena for some pointers.”
In the meantime, she carries the best wishes of Serena’s fiance Alexis Ohanian.
“So happy to see a Williams in the finals of #Wimbledon – congrats, sis,” he wrote on Twitter.
Elsewhere, new home crowd favourite Konta looked at odds with the world as she gave Venus’ hand a cursory shake at the net, the disappointment of falling at the last-but-one hurdle etched into her face.
But the 26-year-old’s trademark smile was back in place by the time she articulated her thoughts about the sobering semi-final defeat – along with the conviction that her ascent through the tennis firmament is only just beginning.
“She was just, quite frankly, better than me today ... I think I definitely have a lot more to improve on...,” Konta told reporters.
“But I definitely feel like there’s no reason why I would not be able to be in a position to win a title like this one day.”
Meanwhile, Muguruza is aiming to become the first Spanish woman for 23 years to win Wimbledon – and yet again a Williams sister stands in her way.
The 23-year-old stormed into the final by beating Magdalena Rybarikova yesterday. Only one Spaniard has previously lifted the Wimbledon women’s title – Conchita Martinez, who has been coaching Muguruza at this tournament and cheered her to victory in her semi-final.
“I always stare at the wall where there are all the names of the previous winners. In the past years, you see the Williams surname a lot,” Muguruza said. “So I look forward to putting a Spanish name back there.
“Facing Venus, you know, she won here like five times. She knows how to play, especially Wimbledon finals. It’s going to be a historic final again.
Muguruza, the 14th seed, said she felt far better mentally prepared for the final this time.
“I feel much more calm, am kind of controlling my emotions more than the last time,” said Muguruza, who won the French Open last year, saying that she was drawing on the experience of Martinez.
“She’s helping me to deal with the stress of the tournament,” she said. “She knows how to prepare, how to train, what to do.”
Rybarikova, who was crushed by Muguruza in the semi-finals, said she was tired and nervous going into the match and had no idea how to respond to her opponent’s superb shot-making.
But the 87th-ranked Slovak – who has described her Wimbledon adventure as a “fairy tale” – said she was still happy with her overall tournament performance.
“If somebody told me before the tournament I’d to be in semi-final, I for sure would take it,” she said.
It was nonetheless a sobering end for the 28-yearold as she was demolished 6-1 6-1 by Muguruza in little over an hour. “I was a little bit nervous, a little bit tired also in my legs. I wanted to play better, and I could not,” she said.
“I had no idea what to do a little bit on the court. I have to say Garbine played an amazing match – I mean, I’ve never seen her play that well. She was playing very fast and every stroke was so long. I could do almost nothing today.”
It had been a dream run for Rybarikova, who was out of action for the second half of 2016 due to wrist and knee surgery. The last time a woman ranked lower reached a Wimbledon semi-final was in 2008 – China’s Zheng Jie, ranked 133.
“The crowd is amazing, they have been amazing all the matches, I have enjoyed playing here so much,” she said. “I wanted to give them more, but I didn’t and I was sad for them.”– Reuters