Venus Williams vs Lindsay Davenport | Wimbledon 2005 Final | Full Match

[@McKelT]

This match from Venus will forever be remembered as legendary.

[@iago07]

I hate that people forget about Venus bc of Serena’s outsized success. She has played in 16 GS finals (10th on All Time list) and of the 11 women in the Top 10, only Venus and Serena have played since the year 2000. She is #11 on the All Time GS List with 7 titles. And only Serena and Monica Seles played post 2000. SHE DESERVES HER FLOWERS AS ONE OF THE GREATEST!!!

[@juksat]

She is an ATG

[@ragsvd5382]

absolutely well said dear..venus is a gem of a player..

[@VMathisEntertainment]

Also Winner of 4 Gold medals, and 1 Silver medal! Not to mention 14 doubles, and 2 mixed doubles slams!😁

[@lower_than_furries9727]

All that awesomeness while battling an incurable disease. Venus is a legend, whether one likes to admit it or not.

[@anonymoussa1784]

I am Happy the movie King Richard told her story ,honestly we wouldn't have a Serena without Venus.She broke those doors.

[@davidjohnbrewer]

The match that made Venus one of the greats of women tennis players.

[@anudeepeduru5507]

This match made me fell in love with tennis. The best women's final ever in Wimbledon. The essence of absolute classic be it quality, toe to toe fight, come back, drama, elation, most of all its Williams and Wimbledon a deadly combination. My fav tennis match of all time 🙌

[@garyonbroadway1919]

Undeniably. That blind stab, off-the-shoestrings drop shot that VENUS couldn't believe went over was the longest I ever held my breath watching tennis.

[@sibais]

The silence from the crowd and commentators when Venus was winning and the excitement when Lindsay was winning…. Tells it all really. So glad Venus won.

[@markpeter4304]

I think the silence was they were stunned. Venus was the one playing from behind and out of nowhere and just as swiftly had the upper hand

[@axe7064]

@@markpeter4304 The crowd were very pro Lyndsey.

[@higher_pwr8178]

Interviewer-"Im sure you'd like to thank L."🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@eizyaws]

@@markpeter4304 uh that's not what I'm watching

[@leonbrooks7734]

It’s what makes the William story so great!! They knew that everything and everyone was against them except their family!! Which is why they ( Vee& Serena) grew into such strong women and the greatest Sister athletes of all times!! 🏆

[@ianwalden9865]

Best women’s final of all time!

[@nathangraham1760]

Oh yea hands down just man! It had everything!! ❤️Queen V👸🏾and Queen Lindsay👸🏽🤘

[@jjh2456]

For Wimbledon yes. Evert/Martina 85 French is still the best tennis match ever.

[@JordanjamesX]

Absolutely agree!!

[@nazarjaffar2548]

Exactly......

[@oliverwilliams5113]

Definitely!!!

[@Eldiabloo668]

I went in as Davenport fan, came out a Venus Williams fan for life. Same thing at the Australian Open final in 05 with Serena. Davenport would’ve beaten anyone on the planet on those 2 days, she was hitting so cleanly BUT the way these 2 sisters fought back, i decided to stan them to this day. Legends. All 3 of em.

[@bramlintrent1145]

Same here. I fully expected Davenport to win this match and the Australian Open 2005. Hats off to the Williams sisters for rallying back in each case. Made me appreciate all three of them even more than I already did.

[@tasibho]

​@@bramlintrent1145 davenport never had the mental toughness the williams sisters had in the mist critical moments. That was the problem . she would have easily many more slams

[@warrenguy76]

Well said! And all three will forever be Wimbledon Champions.

[@diannaezell9685]

William sisters Forever 😅

[@jjh2456]

This was to the ladies what Nadal v Federer 2008 was to the men.

[@nytonmay]

Right

[@onetwocue]

It's been over 15 years and no other women's final has yet come close to this amazing final.

[@fundhund62]

The 2006 final was far better.

[@tremaine861]

Venus was beside herself, this one really meant a lot to her. Such joy!!

[@dbj4th443]

One of the best matches in a final of a grand slam. The quality of ball striking and attacking play from both women is just insane.

[@nytonmay]

insane

[@lukebrady65]

No doubt one of the best women's finals at Wimbledon of all time.

[@jnayvann]

Fun fact: Between 2000-2009, Venus made it to at least the championship match at Wimbledon all but two times (2004 & 2006).

[@Lishmaa]

Venus and Davenport always had great matches! The power hitting from both is just amazing. Davenport had such clean ball striking and Venus had power with athleticism makes for an entertaining match up.

[@Hammerton32]

"Big Babe Tennis", Cali variety. Loved Lindsay's ball striking, such a joy to watch. Sad to see her lose. She deserved another GS, based on hr talent. But happy to see Venus win. PS. Tracy and John as commentators are generally fair and always insightful!

[@Lishmaa]

@@Hammerton32 Totally agree. The sound that comes off Lindsays racquet is so satisfying, almost like she hits the sweet spot all the time. Yes I always enjoy Tracy and John commentating, they don't get enough credit for their fair and insightful commentating and their never biased.

[@iceescape]

Also they were able to keep the ball so consistently deep in the court and hit crazy angles effortlessly. Davenport's movement was always criticized but she had really good defense here and got back so many balls that should have been winners for Venus. Venus just absolutely refused to give in here.

[@garyonbroadway1919]

I'm gonna rattle the rock box here and say that, to me, Davenport always came off as a smug, entitled winner and sore, sour grapes loser when it came to either of the Williams sisters. I believe this was the only time she embraced Venus at the net, and Venus's unabashed admiration of her second greatest rival (Hingis was, again my opinion, the first-Serena doesn't count because she couldn't bring out the killer in Venus's game) was pure sportsmanship. When she transitioned to commentating (TEN years ago, TYVM), Davenport rarely had an authentic-sounding compliment for either still playing legend.

[@k.h.a.l.i.l.]

@@garyonbroadway1919 COMPLETELY agree with all of this. and the part about commentating in particular is so true

[@onyxjohnson3098]

I can watch this match forever..... i remember being at home watching this match in 2005 and when davenport took the first set and looked like she was taking the second i turned the tv off LOL i was like next!... But then when i turned it back on venus was holding the trophy my jaw dropped... i could not believe my eyes!.. I love both players but i felt more for venus because she hadn't won anything in a few years. This is way... before venus knew anything about her illness... it was clear she was fighting against her own body. I cried watching her jump with that trophy like it was a christmas morning and she got the gift she wanted lol. I loved davenport and i felt sad for her too because she planned on retiring to have a family and she wanted one more grand slam before doing that. If it wasn't venus she was playing i would have been only for davenport!

[@T3nnIsBoY]

I remember to, hands sweating, nervous for her, & I wasn't the one playing, 😂 only watching👍🏾

[@dominicalabi7042]

😂lol

[@jessieten2112]

2:15:50 What a point from venus to come up with an outstanding inside out backhand on championship point.

[@ribytimtiman]

That's a champion's response. :D

[@stayfocused3175]

Definitely one of the best GS Finals ever. Was it not even the longest in Wimbledon history? Davenport would have deserved at least one more GS in 2004/2005. In my opinion she played her best tennis during these years, but the competition at that time was just murderously good. Serena, Venus, Henin, Clijsters, Sharapova, Mauresmo etc. Davenport was also close to the Wimby title in 2004. She was set and break up against Sharapova in SF. She would probably have won the USO 2004 without injury. I was for Venus back then, but I was very sorry for Davenport.

[@jjh2456]

She would’ve had more if she didn’t keep running into Venus in those finals. Davenport has the head to head matchup, but everytime they met in a GS final Venus won.

[@nicksmith128]

Competition was literally some of the best that Womens tennis had-- Davenport was just so effing solid during those years. She always showed up and made it deep in majors. She's underrated in some of the records she made during her reign.

[@SimonsHairBeauty]

My heart was in my mouth watching this! I was SO overjoyed when Venus won. My favourite player ever.

[@markpeter4304]

Remember when womens tennis was like this? We were in a golden age and had no idea....

[@nytonmay]

Right,...no idea at all!!!

[@Listenthenspk]

We didn't know how good we had it

[@mandandi]

These two were really pushing each other. No one wanted to lose on this day.

[@roobookaroo]

Rather the norm, no?

[@niicolecharles2505]

Love venus great champion

[@KO-vv1oz]

Venus started so sluggish and slow, unlike her sharapova match prior.

[@swamp5050]

Venus set the stage for her lil sister to become the GOAT, but on this day Venus showed her greatness!

[@jasonthomas4872]

Amazing final this was. The sound of the ball coming off both rackets is 🤯

[@matthewplampton955]

Best match ever. Made me fall in love with tennis.

[@leonsoonalole1015]

I remember watching this final on TV. It was an intense match from the beginning til the end. No one nowadays can hit the ball like Lindsay, Venus and Serena when they were at their prime

[@bernardmartin5185]

I can NEVER get tired of seeing this.

[@CherrieMcKenzie]

Years later and I never tire of watching this match. I liked Lindsay but I wanted Venus to win because at the time she had not won her favorite tournament in awhile. The ball striking and the sheer desire of both women was on full display. It was a match for the ages and the absolute joy Venus showed after winning was priceless.

[@まやなかまたな]

I love the way Venus expressed her joy😄

[@cashley381]

Me too...so pure and honest!

[@househeadericmdhousehead9118]

This was Venus at her best playing an inform dangerous Pierce in QF, then Pova in the SF and a final for the ages with Davenport.

[@iago07]

7 straight points from serving 5-6 down in the second set to the 3rd point of the tie-break was EPIC and classic Venus… 🤯

[@tchmsery6055]

one of the greatest grand slam finals of all times

[@andonismoushis2847]

I remember watching this match live on tv and there was no doubt in my mind that Venus was going to win this. Congrats to both ladies for this amazing final!

[@nl4064]

Venus joy is so infectious she always makles me cry

[@anonymoussa1784]

Me too

[@davidfoley9282]

How biased is the commentating from McEnroe and Austin...?

[@ribytimtiman]

2:33:23 breathtaking rally! I envy those who were able to watch this live.

[@jjh2456]

That one point told the story of the entire match. Lindsay was ahead but Venus refused to back down. Venus came up with the forehand winner when she had to which she did all throughout the match.

[@keithpugh7538]

That rally sucked the last bit of life out of Davenport, she wouldn’t win another game.

[@bramlintrent1145]

I agree. Most of us recognize Serena Williams as the greatest of our generation (or ever!), but in my opinion these two players here --- Lindsay Davenport and Venus Williams -- are two of the purest ball-strikers I've ever seen.

[@davidattride883]

This win was so big for Venus I remember it well after the loss of her sister. The best womans final of all time in my eyes. Love Venus :)

[@JamaalABivens]

1:07:05 Lindsay went OFF and rightfully so. "If I did my job that poorly I wouldn't be able to be out here." 😂😂😂

[@noahhenderson3164]

everything she said was perfect, thank god this isn't 2018 onwards or they would have slapped a 3 thousand dollar fine for her bad mouthing such a terrible call

[@robdurdain5912]

@@noahhenderson3164 Haha so true.

[@lebomabe6465]

That was a boxing match-like robbery straight up

[@jboogie6921]

That down the line backhand Venus hit at 30-0 in the last game of the match and her reaction was EVERYTHING.

[@ArgentineFootballfan1978]

Gael Monfils? Mikael Ymer? Jo Tsonga? Frances Tiafoe? Arthur Ashe? There are a couple like Female black tennis players but their not that good.

[@gnnrgmlng8327]

Loving this match from the first point.. one of theeeeee best final GS in woman Tennis!!!

[@thiagopasin1]

The power in every hit is amazing. They are some of the strongest players ever... and that includes the male players.

[@warrenguy76]

2:15:15 The most ominous moment of the match starts at the most luminous point of the broadcast. Tough loss for Lindsay but glad Venus prevailed in this one.

[@Eldiabloo668]

To this day, I’m still searching for someone who hits the ball as clean & moves as little Lindsay Davenport, she almost never misses. Ridiculous. What an incredible player.

[@onetwocue]

That's because so many wta players have learned how to strike the ball just as good as these two and also work on their foot speed. Long gone are the days of just being a great ball striker and lacking foot speed.

[@tasibho]

Kvitova comes close. Her ball striking is clean and precise when she is in good form and has the power that lindsay had.

[@drd32]

Venus v Lindsay was always a great match. Two of the best. So much power

[@swinde]

How many Grand Slams would Davenport have secured had the Williams sisters not come on the scene? She has 3. Between the sisters she lost 4 finals. There probably are others where she met one of then earlier. So possibly 7 or more.

[@kidpagronprimsank05]

The sounds of ball came off Lindsay's racquet was like cannon

[@Lishmaa]

Yes! So clean and effortless!

[@jjh2456]

Both of them actually.

[@staciestacie1327]

Amazing that no one got to eat off this Family's literal blood, swaet, tears and through the fear, before they did. King and Queen Williams!!!

[@user-gq8cq8ue3k]

2:33:30 best point of the match. That point was the deciding factor

[@minavamp2811]

venus's foot speed really decided this match. without the foot speed factor she would have lost this match without a doubt because davenport's ground strokes are so good, but venus was able to track them down, and eventually out rally davenport.

[@stwaters1147]

Lindsay tells the ball where to go and it goes there. Super strong clean groundstrokes

[@mukhimvlogs968]

Moye moye😂😂😂😂😂

[@deeone8775]

2:39:07 Divine shot by Queen Venus 🙂

[@eniale33]

This was the first tennis match I really watched. And it got me hooked to the sport.

[@andreanicolodecandia1201]

Venus is a legend!

[@MC-tt4mw]

If not for Serena, Venus would have been the all time greatest. I think having to compete against Serena really got to her emotionally and Serena won the head game..

[@anonymoussa1784]

If it weren't for Venus we wouldn't have a Serena.

[@tommytk72]

Best Woman Final EVER!

[@charlesncharj]

@Wimbledon can we have the match of Venus vs Maria and Mary Pierce!? Awesome matches as well. Also the 2007 Maria vs Venus match

[@glommyan]

Queenus always unstoppable ❤❤❤

[@PravoslavniVitez]

When was Venus unstoppable lol? She never won more than two slams in a row and never won more than two slams in a year.

[@glommyan]

@@PravoslavniVitez the one and only person in tennis history to win 5 Olympic medals, more apparition in GS, the oldest person to reach a final in GS. Has a lot of achievements with Queenus have reach, so just accept in silence!

[@PravoslavniVitez]

@@glommyan Tennis didn't return to the Olympics until 1988, so that stat is kinda irrelevant, but okay. Venus is a great player, but she isn't an all-time great. She's somewhere around #13.

[@HomeAtLast501]

So proud that an American can show those tight-assed Brits what it's like to freely express joyful exuberance.

[@barbarawilliams1324]

Love the match was awesome love both of them they both are humble and good athletes

[@primusmossjr]

Yep. Shouldn't be about the color. Should be about the skills being displayed. Rude not to give equal praise for an outstanding serve or return no matter who made it. There were some ferocious exchanges between these two! Awesome

[@johnbarnett6924]

A rematch after 5 years Worth Watching, ❤Dobie Wan Kanobie revisited October 2023 Thanks to All

[@zongowest3901]

best post victory reaction!!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@nytonmay]

Ever

[@noahhenderson3164]

40:18 a rally where I love every hit, such great tennis

[@ImtiredofUok]

This was tennis when only the.best made it to the finals, simply the best

[@tonyburgessful]

Lindsay Davenport would have won 2 slams that year if she had played anyone else besides the William Sisters. The same could be said of Maria Sharapova.

[@benhuriet000000]

Best Women tennis match EVER

[@sharonmorgan171]

I watched this match so many times and just realise venus sister into the stands was so tensed she clinched her fist. Venus was all smiles.

[@elmerdancy2673]

What joy from the champion 🏆 Pure joy.

[@mj2you22]

"Found the key to the handcuffs" ....I died 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@NehemiahsMusic1]

I remember watching this one I was on the edge of my seat 💺 so nervous Venus really came through

[@comosedice6104]

Lindsay has always been on the losing side sadly but they had one of the best rivalry in ws.

[@jmnny85]

Lindsay actually has a winning head 2 head vs Venus in all matches they played

[@haneen7aneen2]

Excellent final! Just compare this final to finals of the last years of WTA grand slams

[@JamaalABivens]

1:07:05 the ball whacks the lineswoman in the head, probably because of that bad call. #Karma

[@pamellabuckland2]

🤣🤣🤣

[@pgatovcranbrook2033]

My favourite match for the whole 25 years of starting watching tennis and these 2 players are my most favourite player in the whole world n whole time..love every momentof this match. ❤❤❤

[@khristianford2749]

Still waiting for Venus vs Serena 08' & 09'.

[@TubeJunkie]

The 2008 match is on here, I just watched it the other day! I havent seen 09 though.

[@Martinaducky24]

I forgot how much I love tennis. I started watching it because of the pandemic and Venus tennis is on point 🎾👟

[@jmnny85]

Venus during this time at Wimbledon was fighting for equal prize money,she did something that many players probably wouldn't have done and thats go soeak to those in charge at Wimbledon days before the final

[@victoriajohnson5461]

Tracy such negativity when it comes to Venus.😡

[@roystonpeters5850]

@wimbledon pls upload Venus vs Sharapova 2005 semi

[@Robsam28]

Venus Williams will always be the queen of tennis, the only era when women tennis overshadowed the men i think.

[@marekxyz5066]

VENUS ! SERENA FOREVER ! ⚘🎈⚘🎈⚘🎾🎈🎾🎈🎾🎈🇵🇱

[@AlonsoRules]

I wish women's tennis was like this now - no pushing, no endless grunting, deep shots, good serving

[@valafitzpatrick899]

Does anyone know whilst watching these games which I love, why the commentators sound can barely be heard.? It's terrible.

[@bito]

The commentators really wanted Lindsay to win, didn’t they?

[@JordanjamesX]

The British commentator only one fair to Venus.

[@BruteStrength99]

@@JordanjamesX the Brits always tended to love Venus after her 1st Wimbledon win in 2000

[@moirapatience8781]

Lindsay always injured when she is losing. Just saying!

[@JessicaJones-me6sp]

Pure joy. I love it.

[@ZeeGeeBee]

Intense! Amazinggg match two insanely talented athletes wow!

[@daniella921]

Lindsay was one of the best to ever play the game. Not known to chase down balls but a power hitter.

[@ryanletemi]

johnʻs commentary bugs

[@ikarirm]

Quality serving from both ! Lindsay's serve alone could make a tough match for anyone in the top 10 of current WTA. I rate her serve as only 2nd behind Serena's overall in terms of both power/consistency/variety.

[@cowboycrushfan]

By far one of the greatest matches in tennis history. I loved both ladies but was rooting for Venus and Lindsay had her on the ropes several times and I thought she was going to get her in the end, but Venus proved why she was the champion she is.

[@carolwilliams6715]

Look at this African Queen that King Richard and Lady Oracene gave to the world!

[@spursianthfc692]

As a young man I used to have a secret crush on Lindsay Davenport, just something about her

[@juliansearcie1758]

She looks like a princess

[@JFRIGER]

Still sad to watch this. Was rooting for lindsay to finally get a slam again and she was fighting so hard.

[@juliansearcie1758]

She's a champ she will always fight win or lose .much respect

[@gustavoleal8112]

La fuerza de los golpes de Lindsay y la aceleración que le imprime es impresionante; pero la lentitud de su movilidad es incuestionable. Muy sólida en sus golpes, pero lentísima, re lentísima, no le corre a nada.

[@kewsiyehboah6058]

The day will come when ladies play in Semi and Finals best of 5 at Slams.. ya ajabu Venu and Lindsey.. Fantastic in the Language of Swahili..

[@trommelbiel]

I watched it live from Germany on Eurosports.

[@D...M...A...]

Venus is adorable and deadly ...

[@marymiller3632]

Lindsey and those shoes strings 🤣🤣

[@jesjes5255]

Lindsay is moving better because she was foxing about the so-claimed injury

[@mukhimvlogs968]

What an excuse 😂😂😂😂😂

[@elizabethhayes4505]

I remember this match!!!

[@aquarian88p]

How biased is the commentary! So glad Venus won