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In the end, it was Angelique Kerber’s fate to play merely a supporting part on a day of tennis history on Centre Court.
So well did she fulfil that role in the 7-5, 6-3 defeat at the hands of Serena Williams that the German left-hander could truthfully say: “I wasn’t the one to lose that match. I tried everything but there can be only one winner and Serena deserved it.”
As Sue Barker told her at the presentation ceremony: “You must be so proud of the way you played today”. Clearly she was, and on the verge of tears she paid tribute to the Centre Court crowd for their support and also thanked her team and family.
In the opinion of Lindsay Davenport, the 1999 Wimbledon champion, “Kerber played great but it just wasn’t enough today.”
The general feeling was that Kerber’s coronation as ladies’ champion is not a long way off. Simon Reed, commentating for BBC TV felt: “You would not bet against her winning this title at some point in the future.”
Kerber also earned praise from Williams, who said: "She is such a great opponent and such a wonderful person on and off the court.”
She is such a great opponent and such a wonderful person on and off the court
The German had reached the final without dropping a set and by playing aggressive tennis. She vowed to do the same in the final and produced a show of bravery and ferocity against the most powerful opponent in the game today, and perhaps in the history of the sport.
The statistics reflected what she was up against. Only once did she manage to conjure a break point, in the seventh game of the second set. All it did was provoke a violent response from Williams, who swept aside the crisis with the successive aces. And when, in an incredibly tight opening set, Kerber faltered with two poor struck shots, it proved to be all her opponent needed to take it 7-5.
“We both played on a very high level but Serena was serving unbelievably today,” she said. “I tried everything to win. After this amazing two weeks I can just say I gave everything. Of course I’m disappointed but at the end I’m also proud about what I did in my second Grand Slam final this year. I will never forget the feeling. Knowing I played a good match makes things a little easier for me.”
Having defeated Williams in the Australian Open final in January Kerber possessed the credentials to do it again but on the grass of Wimbledon the American's thunderbolts were that bit harder to deal with. And, in the end, that was the difference.
Could she perhaps see herself as a Wimbledon winner one day soon? “I know how to get there,” she said. “I won a Grand Slam already. I know I have the game and the experience to win a few more Grand Slams. Wimbledon is a very special tournament but I know how to get there and I hope one day to get the chance to play another final here.”
Kerber will be No.2 the world rankings after this. Will No.1 come her way soon?
“Yeah, I think I am on a good way to play better and better. One day maybe, but it’s still a long way. Of course it’s one of my goals but I’m not thinking about this. I’m just trying to improve my tennis”
