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Contemporaries, fans and friends hail champion Serena

July 10, 2016 00:43 IST

USA's Serena Williams celebrates winning her Wimbledon women's singles final match against Germany's Angelique Kerber on Saturday

IMAGE: USA's Serena Williams celebrates winning her Wimbledon women's singles final match against Germany's Angelique Kerber on Saturday. Photograph: Andy Rain/Pool/Reuters

Tennis fans -- commoners and celebrities -- took to Twitter to convey their congratulatory messages to newly crowned Wimbledon champion Serena, who claimed a record-equalling 22nd major title with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Angelique Kerber in Saturday's Wimbledon final.

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While one of Serena’s biggest fans and now close friend, singer Beyonce and her rapper husband Jay-Z were spotted in the champion’s box, there were others who were present in the stands, yet tweeted their wishes.

One of them was TV personality and actress, Ellen DeGeneres, who tweeted: Congratulations, “@SerenaWilliams! This tweet is just in case you couldn't hear me scream it from the stands. #Wimbledon.”

Other celebrities who ensured to post their wishes to Serena were television actress Kerry Washington and Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman.

Washington wrote on her Twitter handle: “#Serena… I bow down. And am simultaneously uplifted.”

Singer Beyonce with her husband musician Jay Z with Serena Williams's family and friends in the Royal Box on centre court during the women's singles final on Saturday

IMAGE: Singer Beyonce with her husband musician Jay Z with Serena Williams's family and friends in the Royal Box on centre court during the women's singles final on Saturday. Photograph: Adam Davy/Pool/Reuters

Wolverine star Jackman wrote: “@serenawilliams v @AngeliqueKerber @Wimbledon Serena = champion! Incredible effort. You're a class act. #22.”

There were also Serena’s contemporaries and friends from the tennis circuit who took to the micro-blogging site to congratulate Serena.

Novak Djokovic’s coach Boris Becker posted: “Well done @serenawilliams making history today with 22 majors but lots of respect to @AngeliqueKerber for her first @Wimbledon final !.

Former World No Caroline Wozniacki also gave a shout out to her friend on the circuit: “Congratulations @serenawilliams for making history today!! #22! Incredible achievement! #wimbledon.”

Former US Open champion Kim Clijsters summed up the victory in these many words: “Congratulations to the best ever! Serena Williams ! Amazing achievement.”

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Rediff Sports Desk