Venus Williams: Experience is working for me

Williams ready to take one final step against Garbine Muguruza today and become Wimbledon's oldest women's singles winner

Venus Williams

Venus Williams will attempt to become the oldest winner of the women's singles title at Wimbledon for more than a century when she takes on Garbine Muguruza today. And unlike Charlotte Sterry, who lifted the trophy in 1908 aged 37 years and 282 days, Williams won't travel to the All-England Club by bicycle.

37 years, 28 days
At 37 years and 28 days, Williams is looking for her first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon nine years ago, when she claimed her fifth crown here. A gradual decline followed, and when she was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition Sjogren's syndrome in 2011, it seemed her Grand Slam-winning days were over. Instead, she kept working and has forced her way back. After reaching the semi-finals here last year, she lost to sister Serena in the final of the Australian Open and is now ready for the final step.

Spaniard Garbine Muguruza. Pic/AFP

An emotional Williams said: "I had a lot of issues. This year has been amazing in terms of my play, playing deep into the big events. I'm excited about being again in another final, trying to take it a step further. I feel very focused. I have one more match that I'd like to be the winner of. But I've been playing well this year. It's wonderful to have the opportunity to play well and be strong and have experience. Experience is working for me."

20 years ago
Williams made her Wimbledon debut 20 years ago. This year, despite dealing with the emotional fall-out from her involvement in a fatal car crash back home in Florida last month, she's dropped just one set on her way to the final.

Muguruza is through to the final for the second time in three years and is looking to go one better after losing to Serena in 2015. Last year the Spaniard, 23, turned the tables on Serena to win her maiden Slam title at the French Open and was immediately hailed as the new leader of the women's game. It was all too much, too soon but, after a year spent failing to live up to heightened expectations, Muguruza has made it back into a final for the first time at any tournament since Roland Garros. "My mind is more equipped this time because the more experience you get, the more you know how to deal with these situations," said Muguruza.

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