Venus Williams' latest Wimbledon triumph was down to teamwork fashioned by the most famous family in tennis. The 25-year-old Williams, whose older sister Yetunde Price was murdered two years ago, has yet to dedicate her third Wimbledon crown but made clear the contribution of her close-knit family.
Younger sister Serena, who returned to America following her third-round defeat by Jill Craybas, kept in touch through email and text messages while her estranged parents both watched every point from the players' box on Centre
Court.
Venus revealed that it was a last-minute pep talk from mother Oracene that helped sustain her as she battled back from dropping the first set and saving match point against Lindsay Davenport.
"My mom has always told me to stay tough, tougher than whoever's across the net," she said. "Don't let them last longer than you. My mom always says this kind of stuff and I was thinking about that. I wasn't thinking about anything else."
Venus also revealed she drew inspiration from a backs-to-the-wall triumph by Serena over Davenport in Sydney seven years earlier when she recovered from losing the first set 6-1 to claim an unlikely victory.
Williams continued: "She was so far down and should have lost but she just kept fighting. After that, I always wanted to be like her. Serena's such a fighter and, to be honest, I think I got that from her. I really do. I was trying to fight like her."
The slow-starting Williams fought back to defeat the world number one 4-6 7-6 9-7 in the longest - and arguably greatest - women's final in Wimbledon history but will not allow her latest success to go to her head.
Recalling her father Richard's words of wisdom, Venus insists that tennis is not the most important thing in her life. "There are so many more things that are more important - your family, your beliefs, being a good person, all those things," she said.
Tennis is what I do and it's all consuming but at the same time I have to realise it is just one part of my life. This is only one stage of my life and I will move on from this one day. To make sure I have everything in check and that I don't live and die with each win or loss. That's what we were taught."
