Venus Williams wraps up unusual 2017 season

Venus Williams has just closed a season that—a few years ago—many would have deemed impossible. The 37-year-old reached two Grand Slam finals (at the Australian Open and Wimbledon) and the championship match of the WTA Finals in Singapore.

After her 6-4, 6-4 loss to Caroline Wozniacki on Sunday, Williams remained positive:

"There were definitely a lot of wins this year and definitely a lot of wins that were satisfying," she said. "So that's always what I'm going for every time."

No. 5 is Williams' highest year-end ranking since 2010. And yet, why does the 2017 season feel both incomplete and anti-climactic?

Williams did not win a title all year long, and lost all three finals in straight sets. Losing all three big stage finals was nothing less than disappointing. To have climbed up so high at this late stage in her career only to not claim a Grand Slam in two attempts is a tough pill to swallow.

The Wimbledon final is the best example of her falling just a little bit too short. After a close first set going 7-5 in the way of 24-year-old Garbine Muguruza, the five-time Wimbledon champion looked like she still had fight left in her. Instead, Williams' age showed, her speed slowed, her power fell away and she dropped the set 6-0. With the runner-up trophy in her hand, it was painfully clear that Williams had lost a step.

Williams also lost a heart-breaking three-setter to Sloane Stephens in the US Open semifinals. After looking like she had the match in the bag, she lost three straight games to fall, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5.

Imagine if Roger Federer, who at 36 has enjoyed a similar return to top glory in 2017, didn't win the Australian Open and Wimbledon finals? Many would have lauded him for his comeback, of course, but all would have felt a tinge of disappointment.

Williams has not hoisted a championship Grand Slam trophy since Wimbledon in 2008. This means that next season, she'll be trying to win her first major in 10 years. It would be an astounding feat. It would also be wrong to count her out, but it begs the question: How many chances does she have left?