History girl Serena wins sixth Wimbledon
Serena Williams won a sixth Wimbledon title on Saturday as the world
number one became the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam crown with a 6-4,
6-4 victory against Garbine Muguruza in Saturday’s final.
At 33 years and 289 days, Serena surpasses Martina Navratilova as the
oldest player to win Wimbledon, and any of the other three Grand Slams,
in the Open era.
Serena’s sixth Wimbledon crown brought with it a slew of other
remarkable landmarks that underline her credentials as one of the
greatest female athletes of all time.
The American’s 21st Grand Slam crown and 68th tour-level title earned
her a cheque for £1.8 million ($2.7 million, 2.5 million euros)
But it is her legacy rather than her bank balance that concerns
Williams these days and she now holds all four Grand Slam titles at the
same time -- the rare ‘Serena Slam’ she last achieved in 2002-03.
“It feels so good. Garbine played so well. I didn’t even know it was
over because she was fighting so hard at the end. She will be holding
this trophy very, very soon.
I am happy it was such a great match,” said Williams.
“I can’t believe I am standing here with another Serena Slam. It is
so cool. It has been a pleasure and an honour to give so many years in
this unbelievable place.”
Serena is the first woman to land the French Open and Wimbledon
back-to-back since she last won that difficult double in 2002.
Lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish for the first time since 2012 also
leaves Serena needing only to defend the US Open to become the first
woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to claim a calendar Grand Slam.
She is just one major title behind Graf on the Open era leaderboard
and within three of all-time record holder Margaret Court’s tally of 24.
(AFP)
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