The world number one who last season, came close to winning all four majors in the calendar year, avenged her defeat to Kerber, who had beaten her in January’s Australian Open final.

Williams, who won her first Wimbledon title in 2002, gave hints early on to her German opponent, that this would be a different encounter to that in Melbourne at the start of the season.

The 34-year-old came close to breaking serve early on in the first set, before Kerber held on and, for most of the set look to be at equals with the 21 times grand slam champion. But, at 5-5, and a tie-break approaching, the American made her move. She converted her second break point with a ferocious backhand to take it.

Cheered on by her celebrity pals, Beyonce and Jay-Z in the players’ box, Williams was under pressure mid-way through the second set when, at 3-3, the world no.4, had a break point opportunity.  But Williams soon snuffed that threat out with her trademark power serve, of which she hit 13 aces in this final.

Kerber’s fighting qualities which took her to her first Grand Slam title, were beginning to wane in the second set, which was soon to be proved as Williams took the second set and the title on her first matchpoint.

The elation and relief at the end, as Williams lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish, was there for all to see. The American had finally got to the magic number of 22 Grand Slam titles in the Open era, to move alongside Germany’s Steffi Graf and 2 titles behind Australian Margaret Court on 24.

“It’s been incredibly difficult not to think about it,” she said of finally winning number 22. It makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked hard for it,” the Champion said. “I’ve just felt a lot of pressure, I guess. I put a lot of that pressure on myself. Obviously I’ve had some really tough losses,” Williams added, after losing in the French Open final in May.  “One thing I learnt about last year is to enjoy the moment. I’m definitely going to enjoy this.”

Reflecting on her loss, Kerber said: “This is how Serena is playing. I had one break point, and I couldn’t do anything. I was trying to be tough, to be in the match, trying to fight until the last point. Serena was today the one who won the match. I played my best that I could.”

After landing her Wimbledon title, it now puts her success above other Grand Slams – Australian and US Opens with 6 wins apiece and three successes on the clay of Roland Garros.

The super Saturday didn’t stop there for Williams, as she took home more silverware with her sister – Venus. The pair beat Timea Babos and Yaroslava Shvedova 6-3, 6-4 in the final to win their 6th Wimbledon doubles titles and 14th overall in Grand Slams.