One hurdle too many for gracious Williams

and IN THE end Venus Williams could not roll back the years, falling at the last hurdle against an opponent 14 years her junior.

It was a day of bitter disappointment for the 37-yearold, who had been hoping to overcome illness, personal tragedy and a generation of younger players to become the oldest woman of the open era to win the Wimbledon ladies singles’ title.

She was, however, gracious as ever in defeat. Offering her congratulations to the new ladies’ champion Garbine Muguruza, Williams said: “I know how hard you work and I am sure this means so much to you and your family so well done today. Beautiful.”

Williams sent a special message to her pregnant sister Serena, the seven-time Wimbledon winner, who is due to give birth to her first child in a few weeks.

“I miss you,” she said. “I tried my best to do the same things you do, but I think there will be other opportunities, I do.”

To get this far, however, was a feat in itself. Since 2007, Williams has been waging a long battle to cope with a debilitating disease, which at its worst left her feeling as if she could barely lift a racquet. In 2011, after several years of health problems, Williams was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that dries out the mouth and eyes, and can sap the strength and cause joint and muscle pain, coughing and limb numbness.

Before yesterday’s final, Williams had won seven Grand Slam singles titles, but none since 2008, when she last became Wimbledon champion.

She also had to overcome the trauma of being involved in a car crash which led to the death of 78-year-old Jerome Barson whose car struck hers at a junction near her Florida home.

Asked about the accident, she expressed her devastation before breaking down and leaving the room.