Spain’s Garbine Muguruza stunned Wimbledon spectators with a straight-sets victory over Venus Williams at the women’s final on Saturday, but fans rallied round the former champion after her rapid change in form.
The moment @GarbiMuguruza won #Wimbledon… pic.twitter.com/u2gg7xv55Z
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2017
Williams, 37, who was to become the oldest female Grand Slam winner if she prevailed, quickly fell apart after losing the first set, finishing the championship with a 7-5, 6-0 defeat.
I'm a bit stunned by Muguruza's win today. Venus has been playing lights out tennis and M has struggled since winning French open last year.
— Charles McNulty (@CharlesMcNulty) July 15, 2017
Mugurza closed the second set after just 26 minutes, marking the 23-year-old’s first Wimbledon title and second grand slam win, a year after beating Williams’ younger sister, Serena, to claim the French Open in 2016.
Muguruza deserves this win over Venus today.
Yet after all Venus went through off court during #Wimbledon, being runner-up is remarkable.
— Derrick Clifton (@DerrickClifton) July 15, 2017
But despite Mugurza’s spellbinding play, loyal fans took to social media to express their support for Williams, who won her first Wimbledon final at the age of 20 against Lindsay Davenport in 2000.
Tough one for Venus to take but what an effort getting to the final again at 37 and after everything's she's been through. Very sporting too
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 15, 2017
Garbine Muguruza may have beaten Venus Williams in Wimbledon but Venus is still People's Champion. Even in her defeat she's so gracious pic.twitter.com/le1NKZYwmh
— Parveen Agnihotri (@Parveen_Comms) July 15, 2017
In her post-match acceptance speech, a beaming Muguruza drew a chorus of bemused laughs as she highlighted the age difference between herself and her opponent.
The champion's speech…#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/r0SOib8VRG
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2017
She said: “I had, I think, the hardest match today against Venus.
“She’s such an incredible player: I grew up watching her play.”
It's all standing ovations for Venus
— Mac (@MacMiller) July 15, 2017
However, Williams remained composed and sportsmanlike throughout, and congratulated the Spaniard on her win.
Hope to have half the composure and grace as Venus does when times get tough. Such an inspiration.
— Jonathan Newman (@Tennis_Jon) July 15, 2017
She said: “I know how hard you work, and I know how much this means to you and your family, so well done today. Beautiful.”
Muguruza will now climb from 15th to fifth in the new WTA world rankings on Monday.
