LONDON - No. 11 seed Angelique Kerber of Germany defeated seven-time champion Serena Williams 6-3, 6-3 to win the Wimbledon women's title here on Saturday.

Kerber, who finished runner-up to Serena two years ago, became the first German player to lift the women's trophy in 22 years after Graf won her last and seventh title in southwest London.

It was already a miracle for Serena Williams considering she just returned to the tour 10 months after the birth of her first child.

"It's a dream come true," said the 30-year-old Kerber. "Serena, you're a great person, such an inspiration for all of us playing and everyone watching you. I'm sure you will have your next Grand Slam title."

She added, "Congratulations for coming back. I knew I had to play my best tennis against a champion like Serena. It's always an honour to share a court with her. I have enjoyed every second here in the last two weeks. Thank you to my family and friends at home. Without you I wouldn't be here."

Williams, bidding for her 24th Grand Slam champion, slipped to world No. 181 during the past year and has become the lowest-ranked player to reach the Wimbledon final since the game turned professional 50 years ago.

But the American was happy to receive the runner-up salver.

"It was such an amazing tournament for me," she said. "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 and I'm only just getting started.

"I'm not superhuman, I'm just me. To all the moms out there, I was playing for you today. Angelique is an incredible person and a really good friend, and she played out of her mind."