Serena Williams recites Maya Angelou poem before Wimbledon finals

Before her two victories of the day, before tying a record, Serena Williams recited the poem that may speak to her career the most: Still I Rise by late poet and author Maya Angelou.

The video montage posted by BBC walks through Williams’ journey on the court — her highs, her lows, her victories and her defeats — as the words of the poem flow in the background.

Williams’ latest win against Germany’s Angelique Kerber marked the 22nd Grand Slam title win of the 34-year-old’s career. Williams is No. 1 in WTA singles rankings, and is now tied for the most major championship wins in the Open era.

In an interview with Glamour magazine last month, Williams told writer Melissa Harris-Perry why Angelou is one of her favorite poets. The champion also recited Angelou’s poem during her Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year acceptance speech last year.

“The experiences [Maya Angelou] had of being African-American in the U.S. — that itself is a task,” Williams said. “I appreciate the hardships she went through for our generation. I’m superinfluenced by the black people that paved the way for us.”

View Williams’ montage below.

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