Venus Williams just finished her best season in eight years. With her third title of the year, this one in a 7-5, 7-6 (6) finals win over Karolina Pliskova in Zhuahi, she matches the most championships she’s had in a season since 2008. Her 41 wins were the most since having 50 in 2007. And, most impressively, with her new No. 7 ranking, the 35-year-old becomes the oldest player in the top 10 since Jan. 1, 1995, when Martina Navratilova (then 37) fell out for the final time.
Though this was the year of Serena, the more impressive performance might have come from big sis. Sure, Serena had the second-most dominant year of her magnificent career, but we all saw that coming. Venus turning into the No. 7 player in the world was a shock. Sure, there were some glimpses last year, particularly in a tough Wimbledon loss to eventual champion Petra Kvitova, but that felt like more of a “Venus can still bring it in Slams” instead of “Venus can sustain it for an entire season.”
Though this was the year of Serena, the more impressive performance might have come from big sis. Sure, Serena had the second-most dominant year of her magnificent career, but we all saw that coming. Venus turning into the No. 7 player in the world was a shock. Sure, there were some glimpses last year, particularly in a tough Wimbledon loss to eventual champion Petra Kvitova, but that felt like more of a “Venus can still bring it in Slams” instead of “Venus can sustain it for an entire season.”