Sisters enraged by final fix slur: Venus blasts back at her opponent’s offensive claim

The allegation was made by beaten semi-finalist Elena Dementieva, who later tried to recant after the Women's Tennis Association conducted a damage limitation exercise.

The original claim prompted a furious reaction from Venus Williams, the four-times Wimbledon champion and a finalist for a seventh time tomorrow.

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'I find the question pretty offensive because I'm extremely professional in everything that I do on and off the court,' fumed Venus after hearing that Dementieva, for the second time in her career, had provoked controversy on the subject of Williams matches.

'I contribute my best in my sport and I also have a ton of respect for myself and my family. So any mention of that is disrespectful for who I am, what I stand for, and my family. We need to move on from this subject because it's ridiculous.'

Dementieva had seemed to suggest that the result of the final might be decided not on the court but at some sort of family meeting. 'For sure it's going to be a family decision,' said the Russian. Some of those listening interpreted that as merely a statement of the obvious - namely that the winner would come from the Williams family.

A subsequent press release in the name of Dementieva, issued by the WTA, sought to clarify the issue.

'I do not think for one second that matches between Serena and Venus Williams are family decisions,' she stated. 'What I meant was it is a unique situation for a family to be in to be playing for a Grand Slam title.' Yet, Dementieva had earlier failed to take the opportunity to explain herself further.

When replying to the suggestion that the final will be decided on merit, she stated: 'Well, maybe it will be like that, yeah.' The implication being that maybe it will not.

In any case, Dementieva has previous form in this matter. Back in 2001 at Indian Wells, after losing a quarter-final to Venus Williams, the Russian was asked to look ahead to the semi-final against Serena.

'I don't know what Richard (Williams) thinks about it,' she replied, referring to the pair's father.

'He will decide who's going to win tomorrow… it looks like Serena… she will be in the final.' Dementieva revealed at the time that matches involving the Williams sisters had been the talk of the locker room. She described a previous meeting at the Lipton Championships in the United States as 'so funny'.

The aftermath of those remarks saw Venus withdraw minutes before the semi-final, citing an attack of tendonitis.

Serena proceeded to the final where she faced some unpleasant heckling. Neither Williams has since returned to that tournament. Rumour and innuendo have surrounded a decade of matches involving the sisters. They have met 15 times with Venus holding an 8-7 lead.

Six of those have been Grand Slam finals with Serena winning five, including their two previous Wimbledon meetings in 2002 and 2003.

Many of the clashes have been less than the classics they ought to have been. There has been talk of victories being achieved less on merit than on the notion of 'buggin's turn'.

Venus herself spoke about a 'turn to win' when looking back to their first final in Miami in 1999. She said: 'I definitely wanted to win. I think that my family wanted me to win because I was the older sister.

So they thought I should win this title because I was the older, and then Serena would have a chance after.

'Personally, that's what I felt. They didn't say anything. There have been other times where I felt like they felt like, Serena hasn't won, so it's her turn to win.'

There is little doubt that sibling love and sibling rivalry must make for a difficult combination on the tennis court, or in any sporting arena. All the more so when the two people are at the top of their sport. 'I cannot imagine myself playing against someone from my family,' said Dementieva. 'It's really hard for them because they are great players and both deserve to win. There is only one trophy, so it's a shame.

'They are very professional. When they are on the court they are trying to play, to fight. They know each other very well. They practise all the time. They know each other's games very well, so maybe there is not so much fight in the end. It's easy for them to make an interesting and very close match. Maybe… we're also going to see a tiebreak in the third (set). But, in the end, the family is more important to them.'

Venus insisted the final would be a case of 'every Williams for themself'.

Not every Williams will be present, however. Father Richard is planning to fly home before the final and will not even be watching on television.

'Emotionally, it is too difficult for me to watch my daughters play,' he said. 'If I watched them, I would be a drunk. I always schedule a flight home in these cases. Sometimes I find out who has won when the captain comes down and says Venus or Serena. I could not watch them. I would go nuts.'