Fourteen years since she first won Wimbledon, Serena Williams claimed the title for a seventh time after dropping just one set all tournament. Photo: BBC News

The American, 34, coped with a gusty wind on Centre Court to win 7-5 6-3 and equal Steffi Graf's Open era record of major titles.

Kerber had beaten Williams in the Australian Open final in January but could not produce another shock.

Williams ends a losing run at Slams stretching back to Wimbledon last year.

Later on Centre Court, Serena and sister Venus claimed their sixth Wimbledon women's doubles title - and 14th Grand Slam trophy - with a 6-3 6-4 win over Timea Babos and Yaroslava Shvedova.

Fourteen years since she first won Wimbledon, Williams claimed the title for a seventh time after dropping just one set all tournament.

The world number one banished memories of last year, when she fell two matches short of a historic calendar Grand Slam, and of losing in the Australian and French Open finals this year.

"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.

"This court definitely feels like home, I have a match later today in the doubles, so I'll be back out."

Williams moves alongside German great Graf in the all-time list of Grand Slam singles champions, and just two behind overall leader Margaret Court, the Australian who won 13 of her 24 major titles before tennis turned professional in 1968.