Wimbledon Smashtalk: Roger or Venus the better story?

Roger Federer and Venus Williams both won Wimbledon 12 years ago in 2005, and again in 2007. Are they on the verge of remarkably sharing the spoils again in 2017?

If they do, which is the better story?

It is one of the topics our #Smashtalk team of Paul Moore, Vivienne Christie, Matt Trollope and Leigh Rogers tackle as they review Day 10…

Who impressed you most in the ladies’ singles semifinals?

Paul Moore: It’s tempting to say Venus, but how good is Garbine Muguruza right now? The Spaniard, who has been nothing short of rubbish for the past 12 months, has got her mojo back and is killing it. She takes my player of the day.

Vivienne Christie: It has to be Venus. As much as I love the way Garbine Muguruza steps up for the big occasion – until Wimbledon, she’d won just 23 matches in 13 events this season – she had a far-less dangerous opponent than Jo Konta to manage. The higher-ranked Brit played some brilliant tennis but Venus was ultimately more commanding. And at age 37 and in her 20^th Wimbledon, a ninth final is simply stunning.

Matt Trollope: Venus Williams. While Muguruza was excellent in her dismissal of Rybarikova, Williams was facing a far more credentialled opponent in Johanna Konta, the in-form sixth seed who’d won three of her five career meetings with Venus. But Williams was exceptional, wresting control of rallies with big serving, aggressive returning and mighty groundstrokes and forcing the Brit to press. She was a class above, and dropped just six games.

Leigh Rogers: Venus Williams played exceptionally well. I was impressed with the level of Johanna Konta, yet Venus still had too many answers. She moved well and just did not give the Brit a chance.

READ MORE: Venus ends Konta’s run

The ladies’ singles final is set: Garbine Muguruza v Venus Williams. Who wins?

PM: It’s going to be tight, but I have a hunch that Muguruza, on current form, will edge this one. Then I have a hunch the weight of expectation will stifle her tennis for another 12 months (as per her post-French Open form) and she’ll go back to being rubbish again.

VC: Anybody have a coin handy? I honestly can’t call it. That Venus could dictate against such a qualified players as Konta – who had the crowd in her favour – adds logic to the undeniable sentiment of calling her as the champion. Then again, Muguruza has dropped just a single set – over top seed Angelique Kerber no less – this Wimbledon. If I must choose one, it’s Venus. Muguruza is fearless, but the five-time champ will call on her gloried experience.

MT: I’m going with Muguruza. Both women played brilliantly in their semifinals, but for the first time in five matches, Venus will come up against an opponent who’s got big-match experience. Muguruza has already won a Grand Slam title and has been in the Wimbledon decider before, and won’t be overawed. Plus, Muguruza is perhaps the only player who when playing well can genuinely match – and perhaps even outmuscle – Venus from the baseline. Here’s hoping it’s a cracking match.

LR: I’m backing Venus to win. She boasts a 3-1 win-loss record against Muguruza, with her only loss on clay, and knows how to rise to the big occasions too. Only two players have ever beaten Venus in a Grand Slam final (Serena has seven times and Martina Hingis once, in Venus’ first Grand Slam final all the way back in 1997), and I can’t see her letting this opportunity to claim another Wimbledon crown slip.

READ MORE: Muguruza ruthless in victory

If both Roger Federer and Venus Williams win Wimbledon, which is the better story?

PM: It would be hard to find a tennis fan who doesn’t want Roger to win an eighth Wimbledon title. It would cement his place (deservedly) in All England Club history, and underline his place as the all-time great. So yes, it’s Roger all the way for me.

VC: Again! How do you separate them? Each legend has added an unimaginable feel-good factor to this year’s Championships. Right now, I’d say Roger – firstly because you’re making me choose but also because his numbers are greater. But ask me later, and I might have switched to Venus.

LR: Six years ago Venus Williams was diagnosed with the energy-sapping Sjögrens Syndrome and fell outside the top 100. Her return to win a sixth Wimbledon title would be the most dramatic and unexpected result. It is hard to overshadow Roger Federer – but Venus’ story of triumph and disaster is worthy. 

Is Wimbledon taking the ‘all-white’ uniform policy too far by checking players’ underwear?

PM: Wimbledon is the only tournament in the world that enforces a strict dress code. What’s more, that dress code is steeped in history, and is as synonymous with the tradition of the event as the grass itself. The club is doing the right thing enforcing it, and the players should absolutely abide by it. After all, if they don’t like it they can always go find another Grand Slam to play in that week…

VC: No teenager wants their underwear made public, as Zsombor Piros and Yibing Wu experienced when they were ordered to replace their black briefs during the boys’ doubles. Extreme? Yes, but the rules are also clear on this. All white is simply Wimbledon and not changing anytime soon. ‘Too far’ isn’t even worth discussing.

LR: The strict dress code is not the issue, it is the inconsistency. The junior players who have come under fire from officials have claimed that earlier in the tournament they wore dark underwear with no consequence. Wimbledon needs to make sure all officials are vigilant in enforcing it or else they are only undermining their own rules.

Do you agree or disagree with our panel? Have your say on Facebook and Twitter using #SmashTalk.