Williams victory: reaction

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5 July 2003

What bloody strange final that was. Just when you begin to warm to the Williams sisters, they play each other and tennis enters the Twilight Zone.

Independent: Just Williams: a plot with little passion

‘There were more conspiracy theorists out and about than at an open day at Roswell. Explanations for Unusual Flying Objects, notably the curious trajectory of certain tennis balls on Centre Court, abounded, and none more than when Venus, on two set points, presented her sister with a shot that had a message on it reading: “Please put me away.” Serena inexplicably failed to complete the smash, instead producing a shot lacking any hostility. Venus went on to win the point and secure the set. Such incidents, and there were others, were accompanied by mutterings that it was all the result of a Williams family stitch-up.’

That point was one of the strangest I’ve seen. Serena looked at the smash before it bounced, looked at the drive when it came back off the floor, and then just leant out of the way and flipped it feebly back into court.

The Hindu: Serena keeps her Wimbledon crown

‘How long the Williamses can keep this up in the glare of the world media and in front of millions watching the Grand Slam finals is anybody’s guess — especially because one of them is clearly the dominant player now — but from the point of view of this tight knit family, so far so good.’

Sports Illustrated: Serena downs battered Venus to win Wimbledon

‘As usual, the sibling relationship made for awkward dynamics. Serena, who consoled her rattled sister regarding the injury during a rain break in the semifinals, played at first as if distracted by worries about Venus’ health.’

The Guardian: Serena most at fault for shambles

‘Rarely can a Grand-Slam final have contained such long periods of ordinariness: more than a quarter of points ended with unforced errors. If ever there was a match to give old chauvinists succour in support of Wimbledon’s policy of holding out against equal prize money for women, this was a candidate.’

WXXI: Williams Family Affair Fails to Stir the Passions

‘Saturday’s tussle was at least competitive, even if neither player was anywhere near their powerful best. But even during the crucial phases there were no clenched fists or steely stares across the net, nothing to ignite the crowd’s passion.

‘Serena’s celebrations after the final ball was struck were as subdued as if she had just won a first round match. The apathy continued even when all the dignitaries were in place for the presentation ceremony.’

Oh, and Williams the F1 team are on the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s Grand Prix.