 For the third time, Serena gets her hands on the Wimbledon trophy |
For the first time I'm right in predicting who'd win! I've watched Serena so much through the tournament. She's had a very different attitude and has been focused and played every single point which makes a difference. She's been a bit infamous for having over-reactions on court, but this year she just played better and better - she really wanted to win it. Last year she desperately wanted to win, but got a bit nervous after an excellent first set (losing to her sister 7-5 6-4). This year she played well in the (first set) tie-break and then took over - I suppose what happens is in a way that she thinks that on a one-point shootout I'm always going to be the best. She's survived match points endlessly and she was not going to lose that match against Dementieva (when she was match-point down against Elena Dementieva in the semi-final). Today there was so much power involved - in the whole match there was not one slice shot off the forehand or backhand, which to me says it's all about flat, hard power. It's good that no-one ever talks about the sisters throwing a match, or taking it in turn to win any more. Once Serena loses, she gets very focused on next year - she almost goes into a state of emergency, and I've never seen anyone express their willpower on the court as much as she does.  | This is where she's happiest, this is Venus's baby but if I were her I'd hope she'd think beyond Wimbledon as you only get it once a year |
She gets more aggressive on the last point and takes no prisoners - she has such a will to win and expresses it extremely well. Their body types are totally different which dictates a lot how you play. Serena is more powerful and shorter, whereas Venus has all these levers to get going. Serena's more showtime - Venus is more disciplined and wants to get job done and then goes into the background more. Certain people, when they walk into Wimbledon, it's like home for them and that's what it's like for Venus. I don't think she has that level of comfort at other tournament - this is where she's happiest, this is Venus's baby but if I were her, I'd hope she'd think beyond Wimbledon as you only get it once a year. They're the two best athletes in our sport without any question but it's amazing how much competition there is globally - we haven't even got to Africa yet, so globally it's going to continue to get tougher as there's a greater talent pool.  Serena celebrates victory over her older sister |
Serena served so much better than Venus - that's 6-2 to her in Grand Slam finals between the Williams sisters now. She handled the situation better and never lost her nerve, composure or confidence. When you think Serena lost in the French Open quarter-final (to Svetlana Kuznetsova) in a match when she was a break up, she could have gone on to win another 'Serena Slam' (all four Grand Slam tournaments, but not all in the same year). She's really raised the level of her game in the last year and it's been a long time coming. From 2004 to 2007, she really struggled - with knee surgery, her sister's death, lots of different injuries on and off tour. She's not as consistent as she has been in the last couple of years, but now her complete motivation has come back and she's got complete dedication - it shows in her rankings and Grand Slam results. The Williams sisters have dominated Wimbledon this decade - the 2006 final is the only one without either sister in, when Amelie Mauresmo beat Justine Henin. Venus won the singles and doubles last year, and they also won doubles in Australia and beat the world number ones, Black and Huber 6-1 6-2 in the semi-finals here. This is why you train so hard - it's well known they don't play as many tournaments as other people and gear their schedule towards peaking for Grand Slams. Serena is unbelievably strong mentally and physically, and very flexible, which helps her get down low to the ball, so she hits with authority. When you're playing someone as good as Serena, you're not going to get many chances - when Venus had a chance and didn't capitalise it allowed Serena to relax and then it became an uphill battle for Venus. Virginia Wade, Billie Jean King, Tracy Austin and John McEnroe were talking on BBC Two's live Wimbledon coverage
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