(CNN) -- Serena Williams fended off a stirring fightback from Agnieszka Radwanska to win her fifth Wimbledon singles title with a 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory Saturday. 

It was the 30-year-old American's 14th grand slam crown and her first since winning at the All England Club in 2010, but Poland's Radwanska made her fight every inch of the way. 

Suffering from a respiratory problem and trailing after a one-sided first set, Radwanska recovered from a break down in the second to give Williams a real Centre Court scare. 

After leveling at one set all, Radwanska took a 2-1 lead in the decider before Williams romped to victory with a run of five straight games. 

She celebrated by climbing into the players' box to embrace her sister Venus and other close connections including her physiotherapist Esther Lee. 

Williams spent almost a year on the sidelines, being struck by first injury then serious illness after being laid low by dangerous blood clots. 

Historic victories, crushing defeats at Wimbledon 

A visibly emotional Williams showed how much victory meant to her in her post-match interview. 

"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," she said. 

"It's all the sweeter. I was so down but you never give up. You have to continue," she added. 

Williams has capped her steady return to the top with an emphatic performance on the grass courts, particularly since the quarterfinals where she dispatched reigning champion Petra Kvitova. 
Anyone else?
her physiotherapist Esther Lee. 