Saturday’s championship match at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club will feature two of the best tennis players of this generation.
For the fourth time in their distinguished careers, Venus and Serena Williams will compete for the coveted Venus Rosewater Dish at Wimbledon.
A Closer Look at the Venus Rosewater Dish
I don’t know much about Greek mythology. All I know is that if I had a chance to open Pandora’s Box, I would think twice. Surprisingly, Wimbledon chose to embrace Greek mythological figures in one of its most prized possessions—the ladies’ singles champion trophy, which has not changed in 123 years.
Whoever wins the ladies’ singles final on Saturday will triumphantly raise the 123-year-old Venus Rosewater Dish, a replica of the original made in 1864. The dish is made of sterling silver and partially gilded. The original dish was made from pewter, and in case you’re wondering, it is safely guarded in the Louvre in Paris.
The dish itself spans 18 3/4 inches in diameter (about 48cm) and is etched with many prominent mythological figures. It was first won by Blanche Bingley Hillyard, the Wimbledon ladies’ champion in 1886. Since then, only one dish has been used as the championship trophy. Dates and names of champions from 1884 to 1957 are engraved around the inside of the dish, and champions from 1958 to the present are located around the outside of the dish.
Since 2007, the ladies’ Wimbledon singles champion has received a 14-inch replica of the Venus Rosewater Dish to replace the one presented to them on-court. Prior to 2007, players had received an 8-inch replica.
- Paula Vergara
Previewing the Final Match
Not much has changed since this time last year at Wimbledon. Of course, the landscape has improved with the advent of the new Centre Court roof, but apart from that, it has been business as usual at the AELTC. Even three of the four semifinalists were the same. And once again, one family has ruled the grass courts.
It has been twelve months since Venus Williams clutched her fifth Wimbledon trophy. In the twelve-month interim, we have also seen a renewed period of dominance by Serena as she has recaptured the number one ranking and won two additional major titles.
Calling a winner of an All-Williams final is extremely difficult as not much separates these two former champions. Plus, unseen forces, such as the emotional bond between two sisters and best friends, also have a crucial role. Upon analyzing strictly the games of Venus and Serena, clearly Venus is the superior grass court player. She doesn’t have the steely persona of her younger sister, but Venus is a textbook example of fluidity in motion on the pristine lawns.
She’ll face her toughest match on grass since the 2008 final on Saturday, but based upon her performance thus far, Venus Williams appears headed for her sixth Championship title.
– Aaress Lawless
Watch the Finals Live on Wimbledon Live!
Catch the final weekend action on Wimbledon Live – the official online streaming site for the Wimbledon Championships 2009. Buy your Wimbledon Finals Weekend Pass now to get ready for a blockbuster weekend in tennis! Click here to buy your finals pass for just $14.99 now!
Twitter Says
Can you tell in 140 characters or less who will win the title—AND WHY? Our Twitter followers gave it a try yesterday!
“I’m going w/Venus this time…she is on a roll!” (@writerchickmc)
“Serena – she may have had a tough semi but she showed the fight inside which will help against inform Venus!! Team Serena!!!” (@daniellews)
“V will win cuz even tho DS didn’t show-up 4 her SF match, V would have still won. SW got lucky w/her SF win. V is stronger!” (@SLYZemanek)
“I’m going with Serena. She’s proven she can be tested and still win!” (@TennisSpin)
Enter OTB’s Pick the Winner’s Contest
How well do you know tennis? Do you think you can pick the winner of Saturday’s final? Guess correctly and you might be one of the three lucky people chosen to win a pair of Drymax tennis socks!
To enter, simply select your pick for the winner of Saturday’s match between Serena Williams (USA)[2] vs. Venus Williams (USA)[3]. All entries must be received by 9:00 AM ET on Saturday. Only one entry per person.
Entry for today has ended.
NBC and ESPN360.com Schedule for Saturday
All times are Eastern
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Ladies’ Final – NBC – 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (LIVE)
Ladies’ Final – ESPN360.com – Watch Replay Online
Both Venus and Serena are brilliant players of tennis player and i enjoyed their game very much.
I will be going with Serena as she played very well to beat anyone .
A little Mythology 101:
Venus: the Roman goddess of Love
Aphrodite: the Greek goddess of love
Venus and Serena Williams (no myth here): great modern-day goddesses of the tennis court
And may the best goddess win at Wimbledon today.