Top 5 Women’s Wimbledon Finals of the 21st Century

Yes folks, Wimbledon is set to start in little more than a week from now (insane). This year’s women’s draw feels as open as any in recent history, with seven or eight legitimate contenders for the crown (and that’s being conservative). In anticipation of the upcoming grass-court festivities, here are my picks for the five best women’s Wimbledon finals of the 21st century.

5. 2012- Serena Williams bt Agnieszka Radwanksa (6-1, 5-7, 6-2)

The undoubted grass-court queen of the 21st century, Serena Williams is perhaps the most dominant player- man or woman- that I have ever witnessed. She just announced a shock return to action after four years of retirement and is scheduled to play the Wimbledon doubles alongside sister Venus (there are murmurings of her possibly popping into the singles draw at the very last moment). Exciting times. It just feels fitting to start this list with a Serena classic. The 2012 final was a textbook clash of styles, with the power-hitting of Williams coming up against the variety and court-craft of Agnieska Radwankska. Serena blew Radwanksa away 6-1 in the first set, paving the way for yet another demolition job. But Radwankska pivoted to claim the 2nd set, disrupting Williams’ flow with exquisite drop-shots and cleverly angled passing shots. Williams just went to that next level in the decider, playing with unbridled aggression to become the first woman over 30 to win the title since Navratilova in 1990.

4. 2002- Serena Williams bt Venus Williams (7-6, 6-3)

Yet more Queen Serena. This is arguably the most ‘important’ final on this list, signifying a new dawn in women’s tennis that emphasized superior athleticism and never-before-seen power. It’s easy to forget the impact that these siblings had on the trajectory on the women’s game. And the 2002 Wimbledon final would mark the first of four Wimbledon finals between the trail blazers. Venus was aiming for a Wimbledon threepeat while Serena was looking to claim her maiden SW19 crown. The first set was a brilliant advertainment for what women’s tennis would become, with both sisters trading explosive groundstrokes. Venus got the initial break, but Serena would rein her in, ultimately overpowering her in the tiebreaker. Serena then hit the afterburners, sailing through the 2nd set in what felt like a true ‘passing of the torch moment’. As a result, Serena claimed the world No.1 ranking for the first time in her career. The rest, as they say, is history.

3. 2021- Ashleigh Barty bt Karolina Pliskova (6-3, 6-7, 6-3)

To date, this is easily the most captivating final of the decade. World No.1 Ashleigh Barty was on a quest in 2021, looking to become the first Aussie woman since Evonne Goolagong to lift the Wimbledon crown. Barty- like Goolagong- is of indigenous heritage and felt a special connection to the Aussie legend. Barty even wore an outfit inspired by the scalloped dress worn by her idol in her 1971 victory. Barty came out like a woman possessed in that first set, racing to a 4-0 lead before taking it 6-3. Statuesque Czech Pliskova fought back admirably in the 2nd set, ironing out her nerves to take it in a tiebreaker. But Barty wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip, breaking Pliskova early in the decider before storming to victory. It feels somewhat tragic that Barty would never make another centre-court appearance after shockingly announcing her retirement in March 2022. Regardless, this final ensured that she will always enjoy a place amongst the pantheon of great Wimbledon champions. And how many sportsmen or women can legitimately say they got out at the top of their game?

2. 2006- Amelie Mauresmo bt Justine Henin (2-6, 6-3, 6-4)
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This rare clash between single-handed backhands is arguably the most underappreciated final in Wimbledon history. The Williams sisters enjoyed a stranglehold on Wimbledon attention during the late 90’s and 2000’s, with at least one of the sisters competing in the final in ten of eleven years from 2000 to 2010. This was the odd final out during that span. Mauresmo was a more classical grass-court operator, using her height and reach to dominate the net. Henin was an archetypal clay-court rat, hustling from the baseline and using her heavy groundstrokes to whittle down opponents. Henin dominated the first set, using her kinetic movement to catch out a static Mauresmo. Mauresmo came into her own from that point on, using her all-court game to keep Henin guessing. She incorporated more slice into her game and was deadly coming to the net. On a sidenote, I find it hilarious how much these two physically resemble Sabalenka and Swiatek (one quick glance at this match and you could be forgiven for thinking it was this year’s final).

1. 2005- Venus Williams by Lyndsay Davenport (4-6, 7-6, 9-7)

Venus Williams’ achievements tend to get forgotten due to the formidable shadow cast by sister Serena. But there are some who would argue that peak-Venus was an even greater grass-court exponent than her sister. Regardless of what you think of that topic, I don’t think anyone can deny that this is the greatest final of the century. Venus had been plagued by injury during the 2005 campaign but was galvanized by the hallowed SW19 turf. She and compatriot Lyndsay Davenport created history in this epic clash, trading bazookas for 2 hours and 45 minutes to make it the longest final in women’s history (a record that stands to this day). Davenport dictated the play in the early stages, serving crisply to take the first set 6-4. She served for the championship at 6-5 in the 2nd, but Venus broke and would take the resultant tiebreak 7-4. The final set was a nerve-jangling affair, with Davenport showing remarkable bravery in the face of a back strain. Williams would go on to save a match point before breaking her crestfallen opponent. She then served out at 9-7, ending one of the greatest Grand Slam finals in the history of women’s tennis.