Venus won’t need to get on her bike for title date

Venus Williams will attempt to become the oldest winner of the women’s singles title at Wimbledon for more than a century when she takes on Garbine Muguruza on Saturday.

Unlike Charlotte Sterry, who lifted the trophy in 1908 aged 37 years and 282 days, Williams will almost certainly not travel to the All England Club by bicycle.

At 37 years and 28 days, Williams is looking for her first grand slam title since Wimbledon nine years ago, when she claimed her fifth crown here and seventh in total.

A gradual decline followed, and when she was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition Sjogren’s syndrome in 2011, it seemed Williams’ grand slamwinning days were over.

Instead, she kept working to find the right balance and has forced her way back into the major reckoning.

After reaching the semi-finals here last year, Williams lost to sister Serena in the final of the Australian Open and is now looking to take the final step.

An emotional Williams said: “I had a lot of issues. This year has been amazing in terms of my play, playing deep into the big events. Of course, I’m excited about being again in another final, trying to take it a step further.

“I feel very focused. There’s still a lot to be done. I have one more match that I’d like to be the winner of. I have to go out there and take it and play well.

“But I like to take courage in the fact that I’ve been playing well this tournament and this year, and all these moments have led to this.”

In the absence of sister Serena, who is due to give birth to her first child in a few weeks, Venus has dropped just one set on her way to the final.

Muguruza is through to the final for the second time in three years and is looking to go one better after losing to Serena in 2015.

Last year the 23-year-old Spaniard turned the tables on Serena to win her maiden slam title at the French Open and was immediately hailed as the new leader of the women’s game.

It was all too much, too soon but, after a year spent failing to live up to heightened expectations, Muguruza has made it back into a final for the first time at any tournament since Roland Garros.

She said: “I think my mind is more equipped this time because the more experience you get, the more you know how to deal with these situations, because they’re very special.”

Muguruza hailed Williams’ longevity, saying: “I think it’s very impressive. I think not everybody can do that. I don’t think I could be 37 and playing (at) that level.

“I think she just loves to play and she enjoys going out there. Even though she’s achieved so many things, she’s still motivated to go for more, which is also very surprising.”