At 22 years old, Serena Williams is hardly a veteran but in today's Wimbledon final she will go up against a player five years her junior.
Russian 17-year-old Maria Sharapova is the second-youngest Wimbledon finalist in the Open era behind Martina Hingis and her explosive arrival among the elite of the sport represents a genuine threat to the Williams dynasty.
On the face of it Serena, bidding to become the first woman to win three straight Wimbledon titles for the first time since Steffi Graf from 1991 to 1993, should have too much power and grass court savvy for the leggy blonde debutant.
PHOTO: REUTERS
But the six-times Grand Slam winner and top seed says she is taking nothing for granted against Sharapova.
"She's tough, solid on both sides and she's really focussed. And we both pump our fists a lot," she said.
"I don't think experience will be a big factor. I remember when I was young, I was really determined to fight and win.
PHOTO: REUTERS
"When I played my first Grand Slam final [US Open 1999] you really run on adrenaline.
"Maybe if it was 7-7 in the third set a little more experience would kick in, but I think it all boils down to talent. She has enough experience already."
Sharapova, playing in just her second Wimbledon, fought back from a set down in her last two games and she closed out American veteran Lindsay Davenport in impressive fashion in their semifinal.
She has confidence a-plenty and a steely determination that evokes memories of Monica Seles at her best.
"I have worked hard and believed in myself, but I never expected to do so well at such an early age -- to get to the final," she said.
Speaking prior to Williams' thrilling three-set win over France's Amelie Mauresmo in the other semifinal, Sharapova said she would have nothing to lose.
"I just want to go out and have fun. It's my first Wimbledon final and it's an amazing feeling. And at this point I don't really think it matters," she said.
Curiously it is the Siberian-born Sharapova who has had the more typical US tennis upbringing.
She left home as a seven-year-old and has been groomed for stardom at the classic tennis academy of Nick Bolletieri in Florida, having to separate from her mother for two years as she was unable to get a visa for the US.
Williams has never been part of the US tennis establishment, going it alone with sister Venus under the tutelage of father Richard from their roots in the tough Los Angeles district of Compton.
But there are some similarities according to Williams.
"It was just the same with me when I was younger, except she is at Wimbledon and with me it was at the US Open," she said.
That 1999 triumph over Hingis at Flushing Meadow for the 17-year-old Serena was the last time she has had an opponent other than sister Venus on the other side of the net in a Grand Slam final.
Since then she has won two Wimbledons, a second US Open and one French and one Australian Open, all with her sister as losing finalist.
One more factor could be the Centre Court crowd which is expected to rally behind the photogenic and expressive Russian. But Williams said that would not bother her.
"Hey, the crowds always root for the underdog, at least when I'm playing. I'm always not the underdog," she said.
Twelve days after winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, Coco Gauff fell at the first hurdle on grass in Berlin on Thursday as beaten Paris finalist Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarter-finals. Recipient of a first round bye, American Gauff lost 6-3, 6-3 to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu as world number one Sabalenka beat Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) in her second round tie. Winner of 10 main tour titles, including the US Open in 2023 and the WTA Finals last year, Gauff has yet to lift a trophy in a grass-court tournament. “After I won the first
Aaron Civale got a little wild in the right-hander’s first start for the Chicago White Sox two days after he was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers. Civale on Sunday walked four of the first seven hitters he faced in a 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers. The 30-year-old finished with four walks, one off his career high, while allowing six hits and two runs in five innings. He threw 65 strikes and 39 balls. Chicago trailed 2-1 when he was replaced by Dan Altavilla to start the sixth. “Not the cleanest,” Civale said. “It’s been a whirlwind of a week. First couple
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
DOMINANT JUVENTUS: Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao both scored braces as Juventus made a statement in their opener with a big win over Al-Ain Phil Foden on Wednesday scored two minutes into the match and later had an assist to lead Premier League powerhouse Manchester City past Moroccan club Wydad AC 2-0 at the FIFA Club World Cup. City broke Wydad’s five-man defensive line early when Foden scored on a deflected cross by goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid. Jeremy Doku doubled City’s lead in the 42nd minute off a corner-kick from Foden. Shortly afterward, an animal-rights advocate ran onto the field to protest Morocco’s treatment of stray dogs and cats. The man was tackled by security workers and escorted out of Lincoln Financial Field, which was just over
RSS