Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles in the Open era is intact – for now – after Kerber staged a stunning upset of No. 1-ranked Serena Williams to win her first major at the Australian Open.
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The legendary Martina Navratilova, who won 18 Grand Slam titles in her career, praise both Kerber and Williams for their poise.
“Every time I walk into this room, everyone expects me to win every single match”, she told reporters in the main interview room.
It means Williams’ tally of majors stays at 21 and the list of Grand Slam champions gets an elated and exuberant newcomer.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was quick to respond, saying “It was fascinating to see how courageously and with such nerves of steel how you prevailed against arguably the best player in the world”.
In the sixth game of the third set, which went over 10 minutes, she was a game point down and produced a handsome backhand drop shot from the baseline that drew roars and applause. Now, she can call herself a Grand Slam title victor. Kerber brought the fans out of their seats again with a a cross-court forehand pass, exemplifying her tenacity.
Overall Williams committed 46 unforced errors. I’m really happy about my game I played, about the two weeks.
Germany’s Angelique Kerber reacts as she opens a bottle of champagne during a photo shoot with her Australian Open trophy at Government House in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016.
“My whole life I’ve worked really hard and now I’m here and I can say I’m a Grand Slam champion and it sounds really insane and unbelievable”. But she did, Williams giving Kerber a match point by missing a forehand into the net and then sending the comfortable looking volley long.
The 34-year-old Williams was reminded at one news conference that when she played Graf in 1999, she referred to her as “Miss Graf”, out of respect.
“Here it was like that, I was trying to believe much more in myself”.
“She was my idol. She still is my idol”, said Kerber, adding that she remembers a lot of the matches, how Graf moved, how she sliced, how she typically beat her opponents quickly. “I was actually really happy for her. She’s been around a really long time”. “So, yeah, you saw that she is really, really a great person”. She took an extended break after the loss, saying in Melbourne that she needed several months off to recover physically and mentally.
Williams came into the match as heavy favourite, having won their past four meetings, but the American endured a nightmare start as 20 unforced errors helped Kerber take a surprise one-set lead.
The underdog triumphing could give Andy Murray hope in the men’s final.
It’s been two decades since Steffi Graf won her last Australian Open, but her presence looms large over Saturday’s final.
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“The Australian public and everyone around the world fell in love with you tonight”, said tournament director Craig Tiley after leading a toast to Kerber.
