Angelique Kerber ripped up the script when she stunned Serena Williams 6-3, 6-3 to win her first Wimbledon title on Saturday.
The 11th seed took advantage of an error-strewn performance by the seven-time champion to become the first German woman to win the title since Steffi Graf in 1996.
American great Williams, playing in only her fourth tournament since becoming a mother last September, had been looking to match Margaret Court's record 24 Grand Slam titles. She was also seeking to become the first mother to win Wimbledon since Australian Evonne Goolagong in 1980.
“To all the moms out there, I was playing for you today – and I tried," said the 36-year-old American, her voice shaking during the trophy ceremony.
Angelique played really well," Williams said. "She played out of her mind.”
The 36-year-old, unbeaten at the All England Club since 2014, had begun to look unstoppable during the fortnight and had dropped only one set in reaching her 10th Wimbledon final.
She had not faced anyone with the pedigree of the German though and was outmanoeuvred in the first set as Kerber's dogged defence forced too many errors.
Williams dropped serve three times in the opening set and although she tried to fire herself up in the second she played a loose game at 2-3 and Kerber broke with a running pass.
Serving for the match, Kerber looked nervous as Williams got it back to 30-30 but she claimed victory when Williams netted, tumbling to the dusty baseline in relief before being warmly embraced by her opponent.
Her win, revenge for a 2016 defeat in the final by Williams, snapped the American's 20-match winning run at Wimbledon.
Williams expressed that she is just getting started.
It was such an amazing tournament for me. I was really happy to get this far. It’s obviously disappointing, but I can’t be disappointed. I have so much to look forward to. I’m literally just getting started.Serena Williams
(With inputs from Reuters and AP)
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