Serena Williams faces Garbine Muguruza in this year’s Wimbledon final and the American says that she has her competitor to thank for her incredible run of form.
Williams is chasing a second career grand slam and the 20-time major winner branded the defeat last year as “eye-opening”.
“Some losses you’re angry about, and some losses you learn from. That loss I think I learned the most from in a long time" Williams said ahead of the showdown.
“I got so much better after that loss. I was able to improve a lot, I worked on things.
“It was an eye-opening loss for me.
“I got so much better after that loss. I was able to improve a lot, I worked on things.
“I didn’t see the results straightaway, but months later I started seeing the results more and more. I learned so much from that.
“Sometimes as much as you don’t want it or as bad timing as it could be, I don’t want to lose to anyone at a grand slam."
Williams was back to her ruthless best after yesterday’s straight sets victory of Maria Sharapova and was run close by Britain’s Heather Watson in the previous round.
Muguruza, on the other hand, will go into the final with an appetite for upsetting tournament favourites.
The 21-year-old overcame number 13 seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the semi-final, but odds still remain stacked against the world number 20.
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