Feisty Williams bags fifth Wimbledon singles crown after enduring pain and self-doubt caused by blood clots which kept her out of the game for a year
It was Super Saturday for World No 6 Serena Williams as she was crowned Wimbledon singles champion for the fifth time after beating Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 here. The American thus lifted her Grand Slam tally to 14. The end of the two-hour battle against her Polish opponent saw Serena lie flat on the grass in celebration before pocketing a cheque of 1,150,000 pounds.
Serena Williams celebrates with the Venus Rosewater Dish after her singles final victory over Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships in London on Saturday.
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Serena (31) became the first 30-plus woman after Martina Navratilova to win Wimbledon. Martina last won here in 1990 at the age of 34. Serena’s previous four Wimbledon titles came her way through back-to-back wins in 2002-2003 and 2009-2010. Saturday’s match was her seventh Wimbledon final.
Down and out
Williams, it can be recalled, was out of the sport for a year due to dangerous blood clots. She has proved in good measure that she is one of the most remarkable athletes in the sporting world. “I can’t describe it. I almost didn’t make it a few years ago. I was in hospital and I thought I’d never be here again, so this makes it so worth it,” said Williams. “It’s all sweeter. I was so down but you never give up. You have to continue.”
Her opponent Radwanska was handicapped by a respiratory illness. Making her maiden appearance at a Grand Slam final, Radwanska (23) looked low-key. Serena was all over her, cracking her service and attacking all the way. “It was amazing. I played a terrific first set terrific, giving no chances and playing aggressively. I wanted to start it that way,” added Serena.
An emotional Radwanska holds back the tears. Pics/AFP, Getty Images
It was Radwanska’s third defeat in three matches against Serena, but for the first time she took a set off the champion. “I am very proud to have got to the final. I am still shaking but I tried, it just wasn’t my day. I have been unlucky here, playing in the wind and the rain, but I still played some great matches,” said the emotional loser.u00a0
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