Serena Williams did it 'Her Way'

With an unrestrained jig in the most hallowed hallway in tennis, Serena Williams confirmed that 'Her Way' was just about the most formidable method the women's game had seen. 

Minutes after receiving the Venus Rosewater Dish following a crushing 6-3 6-2 win over Vera Zvonareva in the Wimbledon final on Saturday, Serena could finally let her hair down and celebrate a display that further cemented her place in the pantheon of women's greats.                                           

"I was really feeling Frank Sinatra-ish," the jubilant American said after defending her singles title and storming to her fourth crown at the All England Club.

"Come Fly With Me... This old-style dance. That's what I felt like at that moment," Serena told a packed news conference of her unscripted burst of joy after showing off her trophy to hordes of autograph hunters outside Centre Court.

Her place in the tennis annals was never in doubt but this 67-minute demolition of the 21st-seeded Russian inked yet more column inches in the record books. 

The win was her 13th in the sports four majors, one more than Billie Jean King and placed her sixth on the all-time list of women's grand slam winners.

"This one is very special. Billie Jean, I got you," Serena beamed at King in her courtside interviews with her fellow American looking on from the Royal Box.                                           

While clearly delighted to appear alongside the game's greatest performers, she was eager not to let her sporting achievements overshadow other aspects of her life.

"My thing is I love my dogs. I love my family. I love going to the movies. I love reading. I love going shopping. Like it's not on my list to be this (place in the record books).  

"I know Martina and I guess five other people are ahead of me," she said wearing a white cropped T-shirt, denim shorts and a purple and pink scarf.

"I didn't even know I was six on the list or seven or whatnot. I'm telling you, I don't think about that kind of stuff."          

After losing to Australian Sam Stosur in the French Open quarters, Serena went away and worked hard on her service action and yet seemed at a loss to explain why her best form seemed to be reserved for the lush turf of south-west London.

"I honestly didn't think I was playing my best. I felt like my strokes were off, especially in the first week. I just felt like I was connecting late. I don''t know. I''m just really happy to have gotten through that." 

Her quest for grand slam number 14 moves to New York, where there is no question which Ol' Blue Eyes melody she would be celebrating with, and the US Open which starts in August.      

Her game appears so close to perfection, but which strengths of other players does she most covet?   

"I'd have (Rafa) Nadal's speed. I'd have Roger's (Federer) forehand. I would keep my serve so it can kind of keep it even. Then I don''t know. Maybe (sister) Venus's reach."

And whose mind would she have?                                           

"I'd keep mine."