London: Garbine Muguruza is aiming to become the first Spanish woman in 23 years to win Wimbledon – and yet again a Williams sister, Venus stands in her way. Two years ago, when she reached the final, she had found an unstoppable Serena and had surrendered her dreams of winning the title, abjectly.
The 23-year-old Muguruza stormed into the final by beating Magdalena Rybarikova, Thursday. Only one Spaniard has previously lifted the Wimbledon women’s title – Conchita Martinez, who has been coaching Muguruza at this tournament.
“I always stare at the wall where there are all the names of the previous winners. In the past years, you see the Williams surname a lot,” Muguruza said Friday. “So I look forward to putting a Spanish name back there.”
Muguruza, the 14th seed, said she felt far better mentally prepared for the final this time. “I feel much more calm, am kind of controlling my emotions more than the last time,” said Muguruza, and added that she was drawing on the experience of Martinez.
“She’s (Martinez) helping me to deal with the stress of the tournament,” she said. “She knows how to prepare, how to train, what to do.”
No such butterflies however, for Venus though. The five-time champion here has been in the final nine times and she stated that it wouldn’t be easy. The last time she played in the final was eight years… since then she has played more of a support role for Serena.
So the 37-year-old, this time is carrying the hopes of the Williams clan while her younger sibling takes time out to have a baby.
“Serena’s always in my corner and usually it’s her in these finals and I’m trying my best to represent Williams family as best I can,” Venus told the ‘BBC’. “I wish she was there physically, I miss her very much before the final. But I know I have to be the cheerleader for myself,” she added.
Wimbledon has been kind to both sisters, who have turned its manicured lawns into something of a personal fiefdom since the turn of the century. Seven of Serena’s record 23 Grand Slam victories have come here. So have five of Venus’s seven – the first as long ago as 2000 and the last in 2008.
Venus knows that Muguruza will not be easy. “She’s been really playing well on grass. The last time she played Serena so I’ll have to ask Serena for some pointers,” informed Venus.
Reuters
