Angelique in battle royal

ANGELIQUE KERBER insists that she will block out the royal backing for Serena Williams today.

The 30-year-old German is bidding to stop Williams making yet more history on Centre Court in this afternoon’s ladies final.

Williams, 36, a seven-times Wimbledon winner, can equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles by lifting the Venus Rosewater dish.

And the American, who gave birth to daughter Olympia 10 months ago and took 16 months out of the game, will have some blue-blood support in the royal box.

Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle is a close pal, and will be cheering Williams on along with sister-in-law Princess Kate.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Kerber is desperate to win her first Wimbledon title and to get revenge for defeat to Williams in the 2016 final.

She said: “Of course it is always an honour, first of all, to be playing on the Centre Court with the royal box and all the important guests sitting there.

“It’s really special, especially in the final here. I know it will be a full house and the atmosphere will be amazing.

Great

“But I’m trying when I’m on court to not look there. I’m trying to focus on my team and my box, to focus on the tennis.

“For me, after a bad 2017, it is a great feeling to be playing good again in the Grand Slams and reaching finals again.”

Williams has the overall slams singles record in sight – but in addition only Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Kim Clijsters have won slams as mothers.

Cawley is the only one to have done it at Wimbledon and Williams will play through a new pain barrier chasing an eighth crown at SW19.

Williams said: “When you have a baby your joints get loose so contact with the ball and the racket definitely hurts.

“I never had that sensation before in my life. I definitely have a new sense of determination and a new sense of expectation.”

The Williams comeback has stunned women’s tennis and nine-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova can hardly believe what she has seen.

Navratilova, 61, said: “In the semi-final against Julia Goerges, it was as well as Serena has played in her career.

“It is almost like she is not feeling the pressure as life has taken a different turn.

“She is playing really incredible tennis, and actually looks like she was never away from the sport.

“That is what is amazing to me.”