AFP, LONDON
Serena Williams powered to her seventh Wimbledon crown as the world No. 1 finally claimed a record-equaling 22nd major title with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Angelique Kerber in Saturday’s final.
Williams had been stuck on 21 Grand Slams since winning last year’s Wimbledon, but the US star ended that frustrating barren spell to retain the title and draw level with Steffi Graf’s Open-era record.
Photo: Reuters
Serena was pushed hard by Kerber in a high-quality clash lasting 81 minutes on Centre Court, but the German fourth seed eventually crumbled under a barrage of 39 winners and 13 aces from the defending champion.
“It’s a great feeling to be here. Angelique brings out great tennis in me,” Williams said. “No. 22 is awesome. Centre Court feels like home.”
Williams had come up short at the US Open last year, losing in the semi-finals.
Photo: AFP
She then was beaten in the Australian and French Open finals.
“Definitely so excited to win Wimbledon, that’s always a great feeling, but maybe even more so is the excitement of getting 22, trying so hard to get there, finally being able to match history, which is pretty awesome,” Williams said. “I think, if anything, I was able to show resilience that, no, that’s [the losses in New York, Melbourne and Paris] not going to shake me, you’re not going to break me, it’s going to make me stronger.”
Kerber said that the American was a great champion.
“Serena you deserve it, you are a great champion and great person. We played a great match,” she said.
To complete a golden day, Serena later teamed up with sister Venus to beat Timea Babos and Yaroslava Shvedova 6-3, 6-4 to claim their sixth Wimbledon doubles title.
It was also their 14th doubles triumph as a team at the majors and their 22nd in 23 finals overall.
Having avenged her shock loss against Kerber in the Australian Open final in January, Williams was wreathed in smiles as she paraded the Venus Rosewater Dish around Centre Court after collecting a check for £2 million (US$2.5 million).
The far more significant reward is the knowledge that she has re-established her supremacy at a time when doubters were beginning to question the 34-year-old’s hunger after consecutive Grand Slam finals defeats this year.
In a testament to her longevity as the sport’s pre-eminent force, Serena is once again Wimbledon’s queen 14 years after her first success at the All England Tennis Club.
Equaling Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles will be Serena’s next goal.
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