Venus Williams: The story of her 23 Wimbledon appearances, including Grand Slam wins and losing to sister Serena

Venus Williams will enter the Wimbledon women’s singles draw for a 24th – and potentially final – time this month.

Now 43, Williams first played in the main draw at the All England Club as a 17-year-old in 1997. Since that first-round defeat to Magdalena Gryzbowska, Williams has won the title five times, lost in the final four times, faced younger sister Serena six times, gone out again in the first round, made the quarters, made the semis, and then in 2017 defied the odds to make the final as a 37-year-old.

This could be her last-ever Wimbledon, or there could be more to come.

While what’s ahead for Williams is unclear, she has been one of the defining players of the 21st century at Wimbledon.

As she prepares for another appearance at her most successful Grand Slam, we look back on all her previous appearances through what either she or her opponent said at the time.

1997

“I am not disappointed. It’s my first Wimbledon and there will be many more to come.” – Venus Williams

What happened: A 17-year-old Williams was beaten 6-4 2-6 4-6 in the first round by 18-year-old Magdalena Gryzbowska. Williams was 2-0 up in the second set before losing seven games in a row.

1998

“I felt like I needed to do that because I really wanted to win those points, and the ball was really out…I was probably pretty loud, though.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Williams lost 7-5 7-6(2) to third seed Jana Novotna in the quarter-finals and was upset by several line calls. She complained during the match that a shot from Novotna was “so far out” and vented at the line judge as well as the umpire. Williams joked afterwards that her “emotional outbursts…probably brightened up someone’s day”.

1999

“She has the game.” – Steffi Graf

What happened: Wimbledon in 1999 would see the changing of the guard. Seven-time champion Steffi Graf beat Venus Williams 6-2 3-6 6-4 in the quarter-finals and would go on to make the final, but a few weeks later retired from the sport at the age of 30. The next year Williams would win the first of her five titles at Wimbledon.

2000

“I had one dress I could wear, but it was last year’s, it wasn’t the right colour. Colours have changed since then. So I had to go find a dress…I was scrambling around the mall finding a dress. It was an extra incentive because if I didn’t win, I wouldn’t get to wear this wonderful dress. I went out and I found the dress. There were beads falling off of it, so they had to go call another store, find another dress the same, then repair the dress. So I went through a lot to get this.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Williams beat defending champion Lindsay Davenport 6-3 7-6(3) in the final to win her first Grand Slam title. Perhaps feeling confident in her chances heading into Wimbledon she bought a ball gown for the annual Champions’ Dinner. Youngster sister Serena also bought one, but was beaten by Venus in the semis.

2001

“This year was a lot more difficult to win. Last year I was kind of like a deer in the headlights, I just kept going. This year it was a lot harder. I thought a lot more and now I just think that I am really happy to be here.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Williams beat Justine Henin in the final 6-1 3-6 6-0 to defend her title. It was the third Grand Slam of her career after also winning the US Open the previous season.

2002

“Unfortunately it’s like war out there. If there’s a weakness, somebody’s going to have to be attacked. So, unfortunately, it was too bad.” – Serena Williams

What happened: The first Wimbledon final between the Williams sisters was won 7-6(4) 6-3 by Serena. Venus appeared bothered by a shoulder injury and served six double faults, including one from a 67mph second serve. Serena said afterwards she “noticed it, definitely”.

2003

“Serena and I, we’ve been blamed for a lot of things that never even happened. I had to at least show up and go on court. No one made any suggestions or put any pressure, because then it gets to be even more confusing. It was definitely a decision on my own.” – Venus Williams

What happened: A second successive Wimbledon final went the same way as the first as Serena won 4-6 6-4 6-2 to lift the trophy again. Venus again did not look at her very best physically and played with her left leg and hip taped. However, she said afterwards that she had decided to “take one for the team”, alluding to Indian Wells in 2001 when her decision to pull out of her semi-final against Serena had led to boos from fans.

2004

“I’d like to think that one point doesn’t make a difference. But obviously it was a wrong call.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Williams lost 7-6(5) 7-6(6) against 19-year-old Karolina Sprem in the second round. In a bizarre moment in the second set tie-break Sprem was mistakenly given an extra point by umpire Ted Watts – and it ultimately helped her across the line. “Unfortunately, the way it happened, Venus didn’t query it at the time,” said tournament referee Alan Mills afterwards. “They played point after point afterward, and the score stands as read.”

2005

“I was just thinking about, ‘I’ve got to stay tougher, I’ve got to stay tougher than whoever’s across the net. I have to play the ball. I have to stay tougher.'” – Venus Williams

What happened: Williams lifted the Wimbledon trophy for a third time after beating Lindsay Davenport 4-6 7-6(4) 9-7 in a classic match that lasted two hours and 45 minutes. Davenport served for the match in the second set and had a championship point in the third set.

2006

“When I was walking to the line, she would serve immediately, which made it difficult to get ready. I just think that maybe she plays at that pace.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Defending champion Williams was beaten 7-6(8) 4-6 6-4 by Jelena Jankovic in the third round. Williams did not appear happy with how quickly Jankovic was serving and asked the umpire to intervene during the third set.

2007

“This win, it’s so much different from the others because the other ones I felt like I was playing in championship form from minute one.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Williams swept past Marion Bartoli 6-4 6-1 to claim her fourth Wimbledon title. While the final was won in straight sets, Williams, who was seeded 23rd at the Grand Slam, was a game away from defeat in her opening match against Alla Kudryavtseva and two points from losing in the third round against Akiko Morigami.

2008

“I’m definitely more in tune with my sister’s feelings because one of us has to win and one of us has to lose. You could never detract from winning a Wimbledon, so of course it doesn’t detract from that. But I’m definitely thinking about how my sister’s feeling.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Venus beat Serena 7-5 6-4 to claim the seventh Grand Slam title of her career. There were no big celebrations afterwards and a few hours later the Williams sister teamed up to win the women’s doubles title.

2009

“I’m so blessed. I feel like I shouldn’t be holding the trophy. I can’t believe I’m holding it. It’s named for Venus and she always wins. It hasn’t settled in that I won yet.” – Serena Williams

What happened: In the fourth final between the Williams sisters at Wimbledon, Serena came out on top thanks to a 7-6(3) 6-2 scoreline. They then teamed up to win the women’s doubles for the fourth time.

2010

“I work hard every day and I hate losing. Any time you accept losing is definitely a good time to walk away but at this time feel like I am playing great tennis – but obviously I have to avoid days like this.” – Williams

What happened: Unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova upset Williams 6-2 6-3 in the quarter-finals. It was a below-par display from Williams as she struggled on serve and made 29 unforced errors.

2011

“No, definitely not our best day. I think we envisioned seeing this day going a little bit differently. We rarely lose on the same day. But no one gives it to you, it’s very competitive nowadays.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Both Williams sisters lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon on the same day. First Serena was beaten by Marion Bartoli and then Venus lost 6-2 6-3 to Tsvetana Pironkova. It would go on to be only the second time since the turn of the century that a Williams sister didn’t feature in the Wimbledon final.

2012

“I’ve been through a lot for years without knowing what I was going through. I just try to stay positive and focused on the tennis, not let anything get to me, like crazy questions. But I’m tough, let me tell you, tough as nails…I feel like I am a great player. I am a great player. Unfortunately, I had to deal with circumstances that people don’t normally have to deal with in this sport. But I can’t be discouraged by that, so I’m up for challenges.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Williams lost 6-1 6-3 to Elena Vesnina in the first round. It was Williams’ first Wimbledon since she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune disease which caused fatigue and joint pain.

2013

Venus Williams didn’t play Wimbledon

2014

“I want to win Grand Slams. Everybody does. You don’t get ‘em. Look at what happened today. No one gives it to you. They snatch it away and say: ‘mine.’ That’s what I’ll have to do. Snatch it, say, ‘mine’, too, growl if need be. That’s what it takes.” – Venus Williams

What happened: In a battle of former Wimbledon champions, Williams was beaten 5-7 7-6(2) 7-5 by Petra Kvitova in the third round. There were 34 holds of serve in a high-quality match and Williams was broken just once.

2015

“No, no, we don’t fight. I think if we had a disagreement, we just don’t say anything and it moves on. But it’s pretty rare. But, you know, I have more than one sister, and none of us fight.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Venus was beaten 6-4 6-3 by Serena in the fourth round. She was asked afterwards about her sisterly relationship with Serena.

2016

“In life there is no such thing as impossible. It’s always possible. That’s what you feel as an athlete. Pretty much our job is to make the impossible happen every day. It’s like magic, you know. I like that. I like to think that people will continue to play a long time…when you’re an athlete you’re not out here thinking about your age. You’re thinking about what can you accomplish. Perhaps people will think of it more that way. I’m in a good place.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Williams reached her first Wimbledon semi-final in seven years, losing 4-6 4-6 to Angelique Kerber. She went on to win the women’s doubles with sister Serena for a sixth and final time.

2017

“I believe that those are not my thoughts or words, that I’m not supposed to be doing this. I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing right now.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Eight years after making her last Wimbledon final, Williams returned for another shot at winning her sixth title at the age of 37. She had two sets points in the opening set against Garbine Muguruza but couldn’t convert and lost 7-5 6-0. After she bristled at the suggestion that she is perhaps not ‘supposed’ to be competing for Grand Slam titles as she approaches 40.

2018

“I just ran out of time in the end. She played really well. I think she was just a little bit luckier than I was in the end. Sometimes it takes luck and skill. She definitely deserved that one.” – Venus Williams

What happened: A year after making the final, Williams was beaten 6-2 6-7(5) 8-6 by Kiki Bertens in the third round.

2019

“I was just telling her thank you for everything she’s done for the sport. She’s been an inspiration for many people. I was just really telling her thank you. I met her before, but I didn’t really have the guts to say anything. I mean, now or never.” – Coco Gauff

What happened: A changing of the guard? Certainly one of the most memorable Wimbledon moments this century as 15-year-old qualifier Coco Gauff stunned Williams 6-4 6-4 in the first round. Gauff said afterwards that Williams was “so inspiring” and that she wouldn’t “be here if it wasn’t for her”.

2021

“I don’t think anyone in life has anything to prove, you know. Each and every person can only breathe for themselves. No one else can breathe for you. No one has anything to prove to anyone in this life. The only thing you have to do is pay your taxes or else you’re going to jail.” – Venus Williams

What happened: Williams was beaten 7-5 6-0 by Ons Jabeur in the second round. Afterwards she was asked whether she felt the need to keep playing at Wimbledon and if there was anything left for her to prove.

2022

Venus Williams did not play Wimbledon

2023

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