The 28-year-old became the oldest player to reach the top of the rankings for the first time after Serena Williams was beaten in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows by Karolina Pliskova.
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After beating top ranked Serena Williams in the semi-finals to end the American’s record-equalling 186 week stay at the top of the rankings, Pliskova faced her successor in the final. “I wanted to be No. 1 in the world and win Grand Slams”, Kerber said.
Djokovic, playing in his 21st major singles final and seventh in NY, was quickest out of the blocks to take the first set.
After returning to the court and sitting down, Kerber was reduced to tears of joy.
A transformative tennis flashback: The first round of the first Slam in 2016 and Angelique Kerber was preparing to exit the Australian Open, saying later in interviews that she had one foot on the plane. With Kerber, it was striking how quickly she shut down the notion of doubt.
And she also intends to respond to the many goodwill messages she has been receiving but hasn’t had time to read. Kerber seized her chance with a forehand down the line to pocket the first frame in 44 minutes, having committed just three unforced errors.
Kerber, who collected $3.5 million in prize money Saturday, lost to Pliskova the last time they met, just three weeks ago in the final of a hard-court tournament in Cincinnati.
With Kerber slightly in the driving seat, both players produced some commanding tennis on their own serves as the game headed towards the end of the first set.
The match on Saturday was stunning: A three-set contest in which momentum swung back and forth like a pendulum. In fact, she made 13 of 14 shots at the net in the second set. “If she’s a break down, she never gives up”.
“I was thinking a little bit of the final in Australia when I was also in the third set and I believed in my game”.
“It was always my dream to be number one and to win Grand Slams”, exclaimed a visibly exhilarated, but relieved, Angelique Kerber.
Pliskova couldnt maintain the advantage. Karolina Pliskova’s shot sailed long and Kerber’s career, already at an all-time high, sailed to its apex.
“I mean, definitely, I would say now that she deserves to be No. 1”. If she didn’t fail, she wouldn’t be where she is today or become the greatest player in the world without the incident in 2001.
“When I was a kid”, Kerber said after the match.
“I’m so proud of myself”, she said of her performance at Flushing Meadows – both over the last two weeks and in the final.
The following year in 2014 found herself losing in the opening round at the BNP Paribas Open losing to Maria Teresa Torro and back injuries made her retire in the Madrid opening round with Caroline Garcia.
That has all changed now, though, and Kerber believes her success is down to an improved mentality. “I’d like to congratulate you on everything you have done”, said Wawrinka who has now won his last 11 finals.
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“Ten years later”, Kerber said, “my fitness is the best, and I can move forever on court”. “And when I won the point I knew, ‘Okay, I have the feeling.’ Now just to go for it”. She explained that her confidence came from knowing exactly what will happen after the final, win or lose, so she could just go out there and play.
