• Wimbledon, Day 13

Serena: I never thought I would win again

Serena Williams was a delighted winner © PA Photos

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Serena Williams admitted that she never thought she would win Wimbledon again after suffering a life-threatening illness - but has warned her rivals she is planning for much more success have tasted grand slam victory once more.

The 30-year-old American needed three sets against Agnieszka Radwanska to claim her fifth title at the All England Club, the 14th grand slam title of her career.

Having been laid low by blood clots near her lungs that threatened her life last year, Williams could barely believe her good fortune as she lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish on Centre Court on Saturday.

"I can't describe it. I almost didn't make it a few years ago. I was in hospital and I thought I'd never be here again, so this makes it so worth it," Williams said.

She later added: "This is the beginning of something great, a great phase. What could top this now? Are you kidding? The US Open, the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon 2013..."

Williams admitted that the challenges she has overcome in recent years have both given her courage to bounce back and the determination to make the most of whatever is left of her career.

"I have definitely had some lows," she said. "There was one time when I was lying on my couch, and I didn't leave it for two whole days. I couldn't take any more. I had endured enough. I was just so tired.

"I had a tube, a drain, in my stomach. Right before that I had the blood clot, and lung problems, and two foot surgeries. It was a lot, and I felt I hadn't done anything to bring that on.

"It was the lowest of the lows. But I didn't just stay there. I got up, and I got started. That's what you have to do sometimes."

Radwanska, meanwhile, was left a disappointed loser in her maiden grand slam final - despite bouncing back after losing the opening five games of the contest to force her opponent to go the distance in order to triumph.

"I am very proud to have got to the final. I am still shaking but I tried, it just wasn't my day," said the 23-year-old. "I have been unlucky here, playing in the wind and the rain, but I still played some great matches."

Radwanska's performance noticeably improved after the short rain delay following the opening set, although it was ultimately not quite enough to secure victory.

"I was a little nervous in the beginning, especially since this was my first final," she said. "So when the rain break came it gave me the chance to cool down a bit. And when I went back on court it just felt like a normal match, didn't seem like a final any more, so there was not that much pressure.

"But Serena was serving very well. So many aces, I couldn't do much about it. I had my chances when I took the second set but she was just too good in the important moments of the third set, so it was hard for me to come back.

"She was hitting some great shots at the end."

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