The unseeded Americans defeated fifth seeds Timea Babos of Hungary and Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-4 to claim their sixth Wimbledon doubles title.
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Mouratoglou, the coach who has helped to propel Serena to greatness with an incredible nine grand slam titles out of 17 since they joined forces in the summer of 2012, had left it 15 days after her US Open disappointment before speaking to her again, during which Williams was struggling to cope with going so close to a goal, and failing. So one could imagine her motivation earlier today as she stepped on to the Wimbledon grass to play in yet another major final, against someone whom had beaten her before; Angelique Kerber. Serena Williams finally confessed that she had been vexed as much by expectations, by pressure, by the attempt to win that magical 22nd Grand Slam title, as by anyone else’s serve or forehand.
She said that was because she was calmer than ever – having chose to accept some “tough losses” and carry on.
“If anything, I was able to show resilience that, no, that’s not going to shake me, you’re not going to break me”, Serena said, “it’s going to make me stronger”. It was uncharacteristic of the German and in complete contrast to the way she had played the rest of the set.
The fourth seed won what was arguably the point of the contest in the fourth game of the second when she crushed a backhand from well outside the doubles alley down the line.
But after rediscovering her ruthless streak in her 28th grand slam singles final she said that it was a special feeling and there had been a few sleepless nights fretting about it. Then to be number one, of course. I think we both play on a really high level.
When reminded the talk now will be about equaling or surpassing Court’s 24 major wins, Williams shook her head.
“But right now I am probably a little more focused on the Slams – or at least I was with getting to 22″. Those sacrifices that you put in every single day eventually pay off.’ Reaching a 22th Grand Slam was an obsession, will it be the same bidding for the 25th in order to beat Margaret Court ” s record? The tennis star just won Wimbledon and a whole lot more. I think I’m on a good way to play better and better.
“I definitely don’t remember where 12 was”, Williams said triumphing for a seventh time at the All England Club. As long as I’m winning, it doesn’t get boring.
The opening set was similarly well-matched, looking certain to go to a tie-break as neither player looked much like breaking the other’s serve, despite Serena earning a couple of break points.
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Williams celebrated her title and thanked her family and friends for their support. “I try everything. Yeah, I mean, I think I was not the one who lose the match, I think she won the match”. The match featured a stark contrast in styles, but together Williams and Kerber produced a lovely display on Centre Court on Saturday.
