Serena wins fifth Wimbledon title
WHEN Serena Williams - clutching the Venus Rosewater Dish for a fifth time - jumped for joy on Saturday, the 30-year-old American never imagined she would reach such heights after hitting devastating lows just two years ago.
"There was a moment I just remember I was on the couch and I didn't leave the whole day, for two days. I was just over it," said Williams, who spent nearly 12 months incapacitated by a cut to her foot sustained in July, 2010 and then discovered a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) in March, 2011.
"I didn't give up. I was just so tired at that point.
"You know, coming here and winning today is amazing because, you know, literally last year I was ranked almost 200.
"You know, it's been an unbelievable journey for me. "
After defeating world No.3 Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1 5-7 6-2, Serena has tied her sister Venus with five Wimbledon titles and extended the Williams sisters' dynasty at the All England Club to 10 of the past 13 singles championships.
"I've always wanted everything that Venus had," Serena said during the on-court presentation, before talking to the international media and then before the night was done partnering her sister for their fifth Wimbledon doubles title.
Victory made her the oldest women's singles winner since Martina Navratilova won the title in 1990, aged 33.
But it doesn't sound like the new world No.4 is done yet.
This is her 14th major singles title, the most of her generation, and the same number as Pete Sampras, who held the men's Open era record before he was overtaken by Roger Federer. But what could top this?
"Are you kidding? The U.S. Open, the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon 2013, the Championships," said Williams, with a smile but with the self-belief that she is back and can do it.
