Kerber celebrates win in style

Kerber, a national hero in her native Germany as its first Grand Slam victor this century, had a poor record in majors before her fairytale run, which also included a brutal quarter-final win over former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.

Angelique Kerber of Germany drinks champagne at a press conference following her win over Serena Williams of the United States in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia… “I remember her serving really well and from then on out I’ve been really focused that she’s someone that I and everyone has to take so seriously”, Williams said”.

She can also expect a warm reception from her home country after she became the first German since her childhood idol Steffi Graf to clinch a grand slam, prompting congratulations from sportspeople and the country’s president Angela Merkel.

“We’ll celebrate there with some sparkling wine”.

Kerber won’t have much time to catch up with her family, because on Tuesday she is to join the German team who are to take on Switzerland in the first found of the Fed Cup on the weekend.

“For sure, It’s good to know that if I want to win some tournaments, I have to play better”, she said. They will challenge me.

This is rarefied company for the latest major champion – at 28 in her first final and coming to the winner’s podium a fortnight after having to save match point in the first round against the world No64, Misaki Doi.

Williams produced 23 unforced errors in the first set of the final, which gave Kerber all of the momentum she needed.

“You can see from [the way she reacted] she is a real champion and she can also lose matches and grand slam finals”.

The world No. 1 lost in the semi-finals of her previous Grand Slam, to Roberta Vinci at the US Open, where Williams was gunning for the calendar Grand Slam.

“I was actually more confident going into the third set (and) I told myself actually, “Okay, you can do it”.

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.

Since 2012, when she clinched her first WTA title, she has been ranked inside the top 10. She will challenge you to play the best and this is what you, as an athlete, would like to show the people.

Winning also breeds confidence, she added.

“Nothing’s guaranteed in sports”, she said. You will always have ups and downs in your life and your career but just stay positive and go for it. Just do what you love.

“You must be relaxed and you must really believe in yourself”. But I think I deserve it. Right now I will just be focusing on the moment and enjoying everything.