At 37, Venus Williams is the oldest out of the four singles players left standing at Wimbledon. On Saturday evening, she plays Garbine Muguruza for the title in her ninth final at SW19, and 20th appearance at the event.
For context - Muguruza was just six years old when Venus won her first Wimbledon title.
I’m definitely in the position I want to be in. It’s a long two weeks. Now, knocking on the door for a title. This is where I want to be.Venus Williams
Williams has quite a history at the grass-court tournament, winning her first Grand Slam title in London in 2000. The last of her seven Grand Slam titles came at the same place in 2008.
Shortly after that, in 2011, Williams announced she had Sjogren's disease, an energy-sapping illness that also can cause joint pain. She missed some big tournaments, and made several early exits at Grand Slams.
But she has bounced back, playing some of her best tennis over the last 12 months. She reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year, and the Australian Open final this year.
On Saturday, she'll be playing for the Venus Rosewater Dish for the ninth time in her 20th Wimbledon appearance.
There’s still a lot to be done. I have one more match that I’d like to be the winner of. I have to go out there and take it and play well.Venus Williams
The person on the other side of the net also has experience playing in the last weekend on Centre Court. The 23-year-old Muguruza played for the title in 2015, losing to Venus' little sister, Serena Williams.
Serena isn't at Wimbledon this year because she is pregnant and taking the rest of the season off. But Venus will likely be checking in with her for some advice ahead of Saturday's match.
Serena did play her in a final. I definitely will ask her. I’m sure she’s going to give me hopefully some things that will make a difference for me in the match.Venus Williams
(With inputs from AP)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)