Berlin: Germany’s sports stars were overjoyed as Angelique Kerber gave her nation a first Grand Slam title since 1999 with victory at the Australian Open on Saturday.
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.
Former world number two Tommy Haas wrote “Awesome, congratulations! Angelique Kerber - Australian Open Champion 2016. Get used to hearing that”, while her Davis Cup team-mate Andrea Petkovic jokingly proposed marriage: “Angelique. You’re crazy. I want to marry you. COOOOONNGRATULAAAAATIONS!”.
Germany’s World Cup winning footballers also took to Twitter to express their delight.
“Yeeees! Congratulations on an historic win,” wrote Germany captain and Manchester United star Bastian Schweinsteiger, while striker Lukas Podolski wrote” Yes!! Huge congraulations, what a match!”
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.”
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, praise both Kerber and Williams for their poise.
“I said before the match Kerber would have to play the match of her life to win - and she did,” tweeted the 59-year-old Czech star.
“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.
