Venus injury threatens final

By Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Venus Williams has suffered a late setback ahead of the Wimbledon singles final against her sister Serena.

The 23-year-old was only able to train for 15 minutes on Saturday morning, after aggravating an abdominal strain in the semi-final against Kim Clijsters.

She also wore a strapping on her left thigh - thought to be the result of a 'compensation injury'.

A WTA spokeswoman told the BBC Venus will compete against her sister, despite being only "75% fit".

Serena (right) is one up on big sis

Head-to-head stats

Asked whether she expected Serena to be concerned over exploiting her sister's injury, Venus replied with a smile: "I don't think so.

"This is the Wimbledon final. If I'm lame and injured, that's not her problem really."

Both sisters will be hoping to put the disappointment of last month's French Open behind them.

Neither player managed to reach the final in Paris after meeting in the previous four Grand Slam finals.

"It's a Wimbledon final so there's a lot at stake for our careers," said Venus.

"I'm really never too concerned with who's across the net. I just see the ball.

"Through all the matches I played the only thing that may worry me is if I know I'm not playing well."

Venus has lost the last five times the pair have met - four in Grand Slam finals - and Serena has overtaken her as the world's best player.

Analysis: Tracy Austin's view

But the two-times former champion insists she has not lost any self-belief, despite the defeats.

"I'd like to think I'm a better player by now," said Venus.

"I mean, all those four times, it was at least close. It wasn't a total blow-out. I know that I made mistakes at the wrong time.

I think in this tournament Venus has been playing the best

Serena Williams

"Basically she just played better than me. Sometimes you have to concede that."

Serena certainly feels her sister is on the way back after a relative slump in form.

"I think in this tournament Venus has been playing the best," said the defending champion.

"I've had to raise my level of play to be able to compete with her. I'm going to have a very tough match, definitely."

And with Venus keen to win a first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon two years ago, and Serena desperate to make up for Paris, there is every reason to believe we could see both players at their best.

"When I see Venus playing so well, I want to do better," said Serena.

"I realise I want to stay on top. I'm going to have to up my game - this is the final."