Serena Williams Ties Record With Grand Slam Singles Win

Serena Williams is setting records, notching her 22nd Grand Slam singles title this afternoon at Wimbledon.

The Grand Slam title won by Serena Williams against German Angelique Kerber this afternoon ties her with Steffi Graf, who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles during her time as a professional tennis player.

According to the New York Times, Serena Williams was not aiming for a tied record with Steffi Graf, but instead was just looking for victory.

“Williams not only matched Steffi Graf’s number of major championships, but also avenged a loss to Kerber at the Australian Open final this year.

“Williams, 34, has insisted that ’22 has never been my goal,’ but despite reaching three Grand Slam finals in a row this year, she wanted more from her season.”

The Times reports that Serena Williams was tossing in the wind since last year’s Wimbledon. Since winning last year’s title, she struggled to secure any other major championships this year until today’s victory in England.

British tabloid the Mirror has been monitoring the match and its aftermath and caught an interview between BBC Sports and Kerber in which Kerber had nothing but kind words about Serena Williams.

“First of all I would like to say congrats to Serena. You really deserve it, you are a great champion, a great person and it is always an honour to play against her.”

“It is the best feeling to play here on Centre Court, you guys are amazing.”

“It is an honour 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.”

Shortly after Kerber completed her statement to the media, Serena Williams spoke to the same BBC Sports reporter and said she was “shocked,” according to the Mirror.

“It’s been incredibly difficult not to think about it. 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.”

The Associated Press reports the final in the Serena Williams-Angelique Kerber match was 7-5, 6-3.

While Serena Williams has added to her long list of accomplishments in sports and if she can notch another victory at next year’s Wimbledon will make history as the only woman to win 23 Grand Slam titles, the New York Times said she is not yet finished today, noting that she has another match, this time a doubles with her sister, Venus Williams.

“Williams has another chance to add to her Grand Slam collection on Saturday,” the Times reported. “The Williams sisters will play for the women’s doubles title against Timea Babos and Yaroslava Shvedova. A victory would give the Williamses 14 Grand Slam doubles championships, tying Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva for second in the Open era.”

The good news for Serena Williams this afternoon comes at the same time that Roger Federer disappointed his fans and himself, falling out of Wimbledon after a loss to sixth-seeded Milos Raonic, the Associated Press reported.

“Once seemingly on the verge of a victory that would have given him a record 11th berth in the Wimbledon final, and a shot at an unprecedented eighth men’s championship at the All England Club, Federer lost his way and the match, beaten 6-3, 6-7 (3), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3,” the Associated Press said in its report.

While a major loss in the men’s tennis world occurs, Williams is no doubt loving her moment in the historical spotlight as she prepares for her doubles match later today.

[Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images]