Williams, 37, ends Briton Johanna Konta's record run with 6-4, 6-2 win to become Wimbledon's oldest finalist
Williams celebrates her 6-4, 6-2 win over Konta. Pics/AFP
Venus Williams, 37, became the oldest Wimbledon finalist for 23 years yesterday as the American star ended Johanna Konta's history bid with a masterful 6-4, 6-2 win. Twenty years after making her Wimbledon debut, five-time champion Williams is into her ninth final at the All England Club and her first since 2009.
ADVERTISEMENT
Venus' sublime display of power-hitting on Centre Court stopped Konta becoming the first British woman to make the final for 40 years.
Venus, aiming to win her first Wimbledon title since 2008, took only 73 minutes to write her name in the history books as the oldest Wimbledon finalist since Martina Navratilova in 1994.
Great Britain's Johanna Konta returns to American Venus Williams in the women's singles semi-finals at Wimbledon in London yesterday.
'It's a blessing'
"I've played a lot of finals here. It's been a blessing. I couldn't ask for more, but I'll ask for a little more! One more would be amazing," Venus said.
"I thought the crowd were so fair. Jo gave it her all. It's a lot of pressure. I think my experience was important. I just tried to get one point after another and wow it was done. I'm so happy."
After losing the Australian Open final in January, the World No 11 would be the oldest Wimbledon champion in the Open era — breaking her sister Serena's record — if she collects her eighth Grand Slam crown on Saturday. With Serena at home preparing to give birth to her first child, Venus has picked up the baton and can make it a 13th Wimbledon title for the Williams family this weekend. "I miss Serena terribly. I wish she was here. Before the match, I wished she could do it for me, but I said 'no you have to do it for yourself'," Venus said.
Venus Rosewater Dish
Lifting the aptly named Venus Rosewater Dish would be a sweet moment for Williams, who has had to deal with a debilitating autoimmune disease for years, as well as her accidental involvement in a tragic car crash that killed an elderly man in Florida last month.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
