Angelique Kerber celebrates childhood dream with Wimbledon win against Serena Williams

AFP/Getty Images
James Benge15 July 2018

Angelique Kerber was celebrating a childhood dream come true after stunning Serena Williams to claim Wimbledon glory.

The German had been the underdog against seven-time champion Williams, who had already beaten her in the 2016 final, but stunned Centre Court with a clinical display to claim a 6-3, 6-3 victory in just over an hour.

“It's just amazing,” Kerber said. "I cannot describe this feeling because when I was a kid I was always dreaming for this moment.

"To win Wimbledon, it's something really special in my career.”

Kerber made just five unforced errors to the 24 of Williams in a match where the 11th seed consistently succeeded in forcing her opponent to play just one more shot.

Two years ago Kerber had pushed Williams hard but found herself outgunned by the American. This time, as in her 2016 Australian Open victory, she was able to stifle her opponent with smart counter-attacking and a string of stunning passes.

Kerber was not about to let her victory pass by without a glowing tribute to Williams, playing just her fourth tournament since the birth of her daughter Olympia, but was in no doubt the result had been fair.

“Serena for me is a champion. She is one of the best players in the world. That she came back after all these ups and downs, after having a baby now, playing tennis like she's playing now, that's great.

In Pictures | Wimbledon 2018

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To share a court with her, it's always an honour for me because I know she's pushing me “to the limits I have to play my best tennis. To win the final against her, it's always even more special for me.

“Like I won in Australia, then I lost here two years ago, which was also a good match, but she deserved it 2016.

"Today I knew that I have to take the match in my hands. Yeah, I'm happy that I won the match. I think that she did not the match, I won the match.”

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