Wimbledon's woman of the decade takes five ... titles, that is

WIMBLEDON, England -- Every Williams for herself. Venus told us that. There would be no restrictions, no holding back. Even against Serena, her younger sister.

Venus would play tennis as well and with as much intensity as she could. And so she did. And so it is that Venus Williams is a champion once more.

Venus is in elite company with Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova. (AP)

They went at it the way great athletes are expected to go at it, with grunts and groans and marvelous shots pulled from deep in their talent reservoir. There was no question of easing off. No implication one felt sorry for the other.

The only question now is where, after that 7-5, 6-4 victory over Serena in the Wimbledon final Saturday, Venus ranks among the great players in history.

She is only the third in the modern era, joining Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf, with as many as five Wimbledon women's titles. And at age 28, her career carefully measured, her enthusiasm remaining undiminished, Venus very well could win more.

"I think definitely winning this tournament so many times," said Venus, "puts you in the stratosphere, to be honest, just because of what this tournament means. This achievement at any other tournament would have been awesome but not (have) nearly the same meaning as at Wimbledon."

Which is the oldest of them all, started in the 19th century. Which with the grass courts now is the most unusual of them. Which with tennis, as well as golf, soccer and rugby having been created on this island, has a special meaning to all who find joy in sports.

As Venus and 26-year-old Serena, who still holds an edge over her sister in Grand Slam finals, five to two, have a special meaning in tennis, a special place in tennis.

They joined this country club sport from the hard-scrabble streets of Compton, Calif., taught by their all-knowing father, Richard, who told us the two of them were going to be great. They have been great.

The others who were around when Venus and subsequently Serena made their debuts as pros, players such as Martina Hingis, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, have all faded away, retired. But the Williams sisters go on. And go on to wins.

Venus relished this Wimbledon victory, once again holding the appropriately named Venus Rosewater Dish awarded the champion, but unlike other times she was subdued in response. There was no leaping around, no twirling about. Surely that the person she defeated was a younger sibling was a consideration.

It had been five years since Venus and Serena played in a Slam final, Wimbledon 2003. Serena won that one. Serena won the 2002 Wimbledon final. The way the match began this time, it appeared Serena would win again, Venus getting broken in her first service game of the match and taking only one of the first 11 points.

"I just lost rhythm, and then I just made a lot of errors," said Serena.