Serena Williams… in a class of her own.

It has been 14 years since Serena Williams won her first US Open but there was no hint of decline as the 31-year-old American outlasted Victoria Azarenka 7-5 6-7 6-1 to claim her fifth US Open singles title on Sunday.

Initially frustrated by a swirling wind at Arthur Ashe Stadium and shaken by Azarenka’s second set comeback from 4-1 down, Williams regained the momentum in the third set with her power and range of strokes propelling her to a 17th grand slam title.

Williams will be 32 later this month but she seems far from even contemplating life after tennis.

“I feel great. I have never felt better. I feel really fit,” she said.

“I can play a tournament like this, singles, doubles, with tough, tough schedules. For the most part, I felt really good.”

The 17th slam victory puts Williams on a par with Roger Federer among contemporary players of both genders and brings her within one title of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, the fourth most successful women of all-time.

But while she is willing to contemplate history, Williams is less fond of thinking about what all her success has brought her.

Williams picked up $3.6 million in prize money for her win combined with her bonus from securing the US Open Series of events, which took her past the $50 million mark in career prize money.

“I don’t play tennis for the money. I honestly love to play. I love grand slams,” she said.

Winning was always the aim, she said.

“I wanted to do what (sister) Venus does. I want to win and I want to do more and I want to do more,” Williams said.

“To this day I have never ever picked up a cheque in my life. I remember back in the day before wiring they used to mail it because I just would forget it.

“Someone told me today I passed 50 (million), but half of that goes to my Uncle Sam... I love him. I’m always giving him half my money,” she said with a smile.