She's like Tiger Woods. Or Michael Jordan. Or Joe Montana. She's got the game of a champion, and more important, the mind of a champion. Others have their doubts, but not Venus Williams, not the woman with the big serve and the bigger heart.
Wimbledon winner again. Two weeks ago, when the fortnight started, nobody ever dreamed it was possible.
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| Venus Williams has been to six Wimbledon finals in the past eight years, winning four. (AP) |
Four times a champion. In the era since the Grand Slam tournaments opened to pros, 40 years ago, only four women have taken the title as many as four times: Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Venus Williams. And only Venus, under the new regulations she helped create, earns the same pay as the men's winner, $1.407 million.
Williams was No. 31 in the rankings, but when it comes to Wimbledon, she's No. 1. That she made it to Saturday's final, along the way getting past Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic, might have been unexpected. That she defeated Marion Bartoli of France in the final 6-4, 6-1 was not at all unexpected.
"I can't say a player can beat her when she plays like this on grass," said a gracious Bartoli. "I mean, it's not possible to beat her. She's just too good, you know."
We know. Venus knows. Six times a Wimbledon finalist in the past eight years. Four times a Wimbledon winner. The two losses to her sister Serena. Eight years, six championships by a Williams.
"This is quite obviously a great surface for me," said Venus. "I think I know how to play this surface also. I feel like I know how to play it high or play it low, how the ball's going to bounce. So, obviously, if there's a surface to pick, grass at Wimbledon's not a bad choice."
We had given up on her not long ago. Again. She was injured. Again. This time a wrist. Before that a leg. Then there was a stomach muscle. So many problems, so many obstacles. So many reasons to back away. Except for Venus Williams.
She fights to get healthy. She fights to return to form. The process is repetitive and frustrating. Still, she refuses to concede.
"When we're fit," Venus said about herself and Serena, "we have so much to give on court. Obviously, I feel fantastic. My sixth Slam (she has won the U.S. Open twice). I want some more."
Champions think that way. Champions are never satisfied.
Thirty-first in the women's rankings compared to 18th for Bartoli, 23rd in the seedings. But those numbers are fraudulent. They don't take into account what Venus has done and what Venus can do.
