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| |  Sunday, 8 July, 2001, 17:29 GMT 18:29 UK Williams: I am the best Williams gets her hands on the trophy again By BBC Sport Online's Saj Chowdhury at Wimbledon Wimbledon ladies champion Venus Williams admitted that an improvement in attitude helped her overcome Justine Henin in the final. "I am happy about the whole two weeks and more importantly I've always served well at the important points," she said. "Last year, I don't think I worked as hard after my wins as I have done this time round. "This year I have taken a new approach. I cant see anybody who is better than me. In my mind I am the best, but on paper I am number two."
The contest itself was a strange affair. Williams won the first set 6-1, before succumbing to Henin in the second 6-3. Up until then the match was very reminiscent of Henin's semi-final win over Jennifer Capriati. But there was to be no repeat show. "I was really relaxed in the third set, feeling really ready to go," said Williams.
"At then end I had a few words because I didn't want her to be upset. She will have her chance on day." The majority of spectators were clearly in favour of the underdog Henin during the match - but Williams explained that she was never fazed by their reaction. "It doesn't seem often that the crowd want me to win, but it is not an issue," she added. "Maybe one day I will get their support." Family tragedy Henin refused to be downcast after the final. "I'll be back," she said. "I will have many, many Wimbledons in my career. It's only my second Wimbledon. I'm in the final so that's great." The 19-year-old has impressed with her maturity - much of which can be explained by a difficult adolescence, during which she helped bring up three younger siblings after her mother died six years ago. After the final news broke in Belgium that her grandfather had just died - but it had been kept from her to avoid upsetting her before the big match. Her father Jose, who is estranged from Justine, said 82-year-old Georges Rosiere died of a heart attack on Sunday morning. "He was her greatest fan," said Jose Henin. | |
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