Williams: I put tennis first

Venus Williams was looking forward to her fifth Wimbledon final today, insisting that tennis was still the most important thing in her life.

The two-times Wimbledon champion will play either fellow American Lindsay Davenport or Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, who were due to complete their rain-hit semi-final this afternoon.

Williams defeated Russian Maria Sharapova, the reigning champion, 7-6 6-1 with a stunning display of big-hitting which was reminiscent of the days when the Williams sisters ruled the tennis world.

She then rejected criticism that fashion and outside fripperies were more important to her than grand slams.

“I would say no,” Williams said. “I put tennis first in my life. I wake up in the morning and go to practise. I go to the gym and train and give it my best effort. The other things I do make me happy. They complement my tennis and make me work harder because I realise it’s not easy also in the real world. But I think my world is also as real as it gets.”

Williams last reached a grand slam final at Wimbledon 2003, a final won by sister Serena but which Venus played with a stomach injury sustained in her semi-final.

Since then she has tumbled down the rankings after a series of injuries and personal problems, culminating in the murder of one of her sisters.

She had not beaten a top-five player, apart from Serena, for two years which explains her number 14 seeding at Wimbledon 2005.

However, she maintained that she has been slowly returning to form and was not surprised by the quality tennis she produced to beat Sharapova.

“I had a shoulder problem from April and I could not really serve,” said Williams. “Being healthy is very important because it gives you the opportunity to train. Last year I didn’t really have the opportunity to prepare. I was never quite healthy.

“I made a lot of bad decisions last year to go out and play tournaments. This year I have gathered strength and rhythm. At last I have had the chance even when I didn’t play as well as I wanted to go back and train. In 2004 I didn’t have that chance. But everyone has their trials and tribulations.”

Despite having won two Wimbledons and two US Opens, did she wonder whether she would reach another grand slam final?

“No, not at all,” she said. “There were times when I was disappointed at how I played because I knew I could play better. But everyone has their moment in the sun. Everyone has their chance to win sometimes. I would like it to be me every time but that’s almost impossible.”

Williams got her chance after a four-and-a-half hour rain delay which consigned the first scheduled match of the afternoon, Davenport v Mauresmo, to Court One.

Williams and Sharapova were switched to first on Centre and Williams said: “I was so excited to be playing on Centre. This was the place to do it. I have just been raising my form. I love this tournament. This is the surface for me.”

She also revealed she had been inspired by a message from sister Serena, who went out in the third round.

“Serena sent me an e-mail telling me what to do and to stay in there and play my game and that I was the best,” said Williams. “I guess I took that to heart. I have a good record here. Last year I had an unfortunate match. This year it’s kind of fallen into step.”

Sharapova admitted Williams deserved to be in the final.

“We played a really good match and it went to the better person,” she said. “I don’t think I played my best tennis but credit to her. She hit a lot of big, deep balls and was serving big.”

Meanwhile Davenport and Mauresmo were due to resume on Court One at 1pm with Davenport leading 6-7 7-6 5-3 with the French player 15-0 up in the ninth game of the final set.