Angelique Kerber was congratulated by Germany’s World Cup winners, Formula One star Nico Rosberg on her Australian Open triumph.
Germany’s sports stars were overjoyed as Angelique Kerber stuns World number one Serena Williams to win her nation a first Grand Slam title since 1999 at the Australian Open female final.
The seventh seed 28-year outclassed an errant Serena Williams to win Saturday’s final and thwart the American top seed’s bid to equal Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
In a huge upset, the seventh seed, who was born in Bremen to Polish parents, toppled the 34-year-old Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to win her first major title and become the first German Grand Slam champion since Graf at the 1999 French Open.
Tommy Haas @TommyHaas13
“Hammer, gratuliere @AngeliqueKerber @AustralianOpen Champion 2016, get used to hearing to that.”
Germany’s World Cup winning footballers also took to Twitter to express their delight.
Basti Schweinsteiger @BSchweinsteiger
“Fantastic gesture after match point and such kind words = a great champion, @serenawilliams! #AusOpen.”
Formula One driver Nico Rosberg simply wrote “Mega! Congratulations!”, while Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said “Many congratulations! It was time. Steffi Graf’s era was a good few years ago.”
Nico Rosberg @nico_rosberg
“MEGA!!! Gratuliere! #kerber #australianopen #melbourne #williams @AngeliqueKerber #tennis.”
Anke Huber, the last German to reach the Australian Open final when she lost to Monica Seles in the 1996 final, was overjoyed for Kerber.
“What a crazy match, really well played and so well fought,” Huber, 41, said. “I am hugely delighted for Angie, she definitely deserved it.”
Tennis stars from other nations also offered hearty congratulations.
The legendary Martina Navratilova, who won 18 Grand Slam titles in her career, praises both Kerber and Williams for their poise.
Martina Navratilova @Martina
“I said before the match Kerber would have to play the match of her life to win- she did. Wow- congrats! And Serena- what a gracious champion!”
And men’s world number one Novak Djokovic, who faces Britain’s Andy Murray in Sunday’s final, heaped on his praise.
“What a final, girls! Great sportsmanship! Well done to both. Congrats to Angelique for her 1st Grand Slam,” said the Serbian star.
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