Serena Williams won her seventh Wimbledon and record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title Saturday, beating Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-3.
The 34-year-old American and top seed matched Steffi Graf’s Open era record for majors — on her fourth try — with the victory on Centre Court at the All England Club in London. Margaret Court holds the all-time record with 24 Grand Slam titles.
“It’s been incredibly difficult not to think about it,” Williams told the BBC on matching Graf’s record. “It makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked hard for it.
“This court definitely feels like home, I have a match later today in the doubles, so I’ll be back out. I don’t know what else to say, I’m so excited.”
Venus Williams, Serena’s older sister and doubles partner, was watching in her guest box.
Serena Williams hit 13 aces and won 38 of 43 points when the world No. 1 put a first serve in.
“Angelique, I love playing her, she brings out great tennis in me and off court she’s a wonderful person to be around,” Williams said.
Williams became the fourth woman in the Open Era to win seven or more titles at a single Grand Slam event. Martina Navratilova won nine titles at Wimbledon, Graf won seven at Wimbledon and Chris Evert won seven at the French Open.
Williams won her first major title since Wimbledon last year. Since then, she lost in the U.S. Open semifinals and in the final of the Australian and French Opens.
Kerber, the No. 4 seed from Germany, beat Williams in the Australian Open final for her first Grand Slam title.
“First of all I would like to say congrats to Serena,” Kerber told the BBC. “You really deserve it, you are a great champion, a great person and it is always an honor to play against her.
“It is the best feeling to play here on Centre Court, you guys are amazing. It is an honor to play here on this court and I would like to say thank you to my box you are amazing, I have the best team and sometimes I am not so easy but you always believe in me.”