She is not the first Australian Open victor to jump into Melbourne’s iconic river in celebration.
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In the process, she also thwarted Williams’ chance to equal legendary Steffi Graf’s total Grand Slam singles count of 22.
Kerber, who saved a match point in the first round against Misaki Doi, became the first woman to save a match point during the tournament before going on to win the title since Williams did it in 2003 in her semi-final against Kim Clijsters.
Even though Kerber’s first appearance in a major was in 2007, this was her first Grand Slam final, and she was one point away from losing her first-round match this year.
Williams produced 23 unforced errors in the first set of the final, which gave Kerber all of the momentum she needed, knowing that battling back from a set down would be tough against one of the game’s best closers.
Kerber kept her word.
Williams was gracious in defeat, praising Kerber generously, and she said she would learn from her mistakes – of which there were many in an uncharacteristically error-strewn performance.
The win will elevate Kerber to a career-high ranking of No. 2.
“I had one leg on the plane to Germany and now I’m here”. So, honestly, she’s a really good girl.
“I took my second chance to play the final against Serena”.
Angelique Kerber knows she faces a major challenge to win another grand slam title after her sensational Australian Open victory over Serena Williams. “As much as I would like to be a robot, Im not”.
“I try to win every single time I step out there, every single point, but realistically I can’t do it. Maybe someone else can, but I wasn’t able to do it. I was missing a lot off the ground, coming to the net”.
“After Steffi, now somebody won a grand slam!”
“The feeling I have I think it’s more proud, proud about my team, my family, my friends”, Kerber said.
“My whole life I was working really hard, and now I’m here, and I can say I’m a Grand Slam champion, and it sounds really insane”, Kerber added.
Williams had been in imperious form all tournament, but too many errors cost her dearly against an opponent she had beaten five times before and lost only once.
A sign of her burgeoning confidence came in the sixth game of the third set when she produced two perfectly executed drop shots to save game points.
“To win it, it’s my dream come true”.
“It was fascinating to see how courageously and, with such nerves of steel, how you prevailed in the final against arguably the best player in the world”. Kerber held but so did Williams, leaving it to the German to serve for the title at 5-3 but she wavered and now it was Williams serving under pressure as she trailed 5-4. “I was surprised and really happy for her”, she said.
“Angie, congratulations”, said Williams via BBC.
Williams fought back to 2-2 before Kerber reeled off three straight games to have the American on the brink.
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“I think from then on out I’ve been really focused that she’s someone that I really, you know, and everyone, has to take very serious”.
