Wimbledon proves that Venus is rising

The outcome may not have been what she wanted – a first Grand Slam title since 2008 and a sixth Wimbledon crown – but Venus’ run into the Wimbledon final certainly had its merits.

Above all, she is once again a contender for Grand Slam titles.

Venus’ impressive run at Wimbledon finally came to an end on Saturday, the seven-time major champion falling to 23-year-old Garbiñe Muguruza in the women’s singles final, 7-5, 6-0. But that was not before she knocked out 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals. And her victory in the semifinals over sixth-ranked Brit Johanna Konta was her 87th win at the All England Club, the most by any active female player.

"I miss you Serena,” Venus told The Telegraph, noting her sister’s absence. “I tried to do what you do, but I think there will be other opportunities."

While Venus may not have prevailed on the London lawns, her appearance in the final is a testament to her prime playing in 2017. The veteran, who at 37 years old is experiencing a grand resurgence, was also in contention for the Australian Open title earlier this year, ultimately falling to Serena in the final.

2017 has been a banner year for Venus, having reached the semifinals in Miami and the quarterfinals in both Rome and Indian Wells earlier in the year, all top-flight WTA events. And she is now the only woman to appear in two Grand Slam finals on the season. Currently ranked No. 11 in the world, Venus will crack the Top 10 following her run in the British capital.

She will now take her game to the hard courts, beginning with the US Open Series, with an eye on achieving that elusive eighth Grand Slam title on home soil at the US Open – a title she captured in both 2000 and 2001.

“Obviously, you can play this game for a while if you love it, you put in the work and stay healthy,” Venus told USA Today. “I’ve played some good tennis in different points in my life. I think it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to play well and to be strong and have experience. So I think experience can either work against you or for you. I like to think it’s working for me.”