Kerber praises Serena
london — Angelique Kerber powered past an error-prone Serena Williams 6-3 6-3 in the Wimbledon final on Saturday to become the first German player since Steffi Graf in 1996 to lift the crown at the All England Club and then praised her opponent.
Williams, playing in her 10th Wimbledon final and seeking a 24th Grand Slam crown of her career following her return from maternity leave, struggled to match Kerber’s intensity and lost in just 65 minutes.
“It’s a dream come true, Serena you are a great person and champion, such an inspiration for everyone watching,” Kerber, who lost the 2016 final at Wimbledon to the American, said on Centre Court.
“I’m sure you’ll win your next Grand Slam soon so congratulations for coming back.”
Meanwhile, Kerber’s coach thought “frustration” led Serena Williams to try and hit the ball at his player during the Wimbledon final.
At 1-1 in the second set of Kerber’s
6-3, 6-3 victory, Williams fiercely struck a forehand drive volley in the German’s direction, but missed her opponent and the court as the ball went long.
“I haven’t spoken to her (Kerber) about it but I was a bit surprised that Serena really went for her,” Wim Fissette said. “Everyone can get a little frustrated in a match when things aren’t going well.”
It was one of many testing moments for Williams, but Kerber refused
to let the incident — or anything else the seven-time champion tried — bother her.
“Angie reacted well,” Fissette said. “She didn’t take it personally and she wasn’t irritated by it.”
Since taking over Kerber’s coaching duties at the end of a disappointing 2017, Fissette has overseen a return to form for the 2016 Australian and U.S. Open champion, leading to her first Wimbledon title. —