Giant Killer Kerber Topples Serena for First Career Grand Slam

Credit Photos to Tennis Australia 

Angelique Kerber entered the Australian Open as a relative unknown. Despite being a top 10 player, Kerber was only known to those who followed tennis closely. She was the only player ranked in the top 10 to have never played in a Grand Slam final. Kerber at one point in her career, lost 11 of 13 first-round WTA matches.

But all of that can change quickly in tennis, and it did so for Kerber. The 28-year-old German put together a run in Melbourne we won’t soon forget, culminating in a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory over world number one and six-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams in the championship match.

“The last moment was something I will never forget,” Kerber said afterwards. “I had match point and I remember hoping that she would not serve an ace again. I returned the ball, then her volley went out, and suddenly I was lying on my back thinking, ‘Ok, I can hold the trophy now.’”

‘The new Steffi Graf,’ as she has already been tabbed by her German fans, held her nerve in the final set against Serena. After opening up a 5-2 lead in the set, Serena got it back to 4-5, and had a chance on serve to even things up.

But in a spot where most players usually cave against Serena, Kerber embraced the moment and closed out Serena with a break of serve.

“Kerber closed with her belief, it surprised me,” 18-time Grand Slam champion and current ESPN analyst Chris Evert told USA Today. “A lot of players tightened up last year against Serena. They let her off the hook. She played some of her best tennis, but I also think there were times when players just didn’t believe. And this was a case where Angie just kept believing.”

It may be cliché, but having confidence and believing in yourself, especially against a dominant player like Serena, is half the battle.

From a tennis standpoint, Kerber played the exact style you need to take down Serena. Kerber was able to rally with her from the baseline and forced Serena into 46 unforced errors. Kerber entered that match with losses in five of her previous six matches against Serena, but brought forth a gutsy performance against the woman whom was named “Sportsperson of the Year” in 2015 by Sports Illustrated.

“She had an attitude that I think a lot of people can learn from: just to always stay positive and to never give up,” said a gracious Serena following the loss. “I was really inspired by that. Honestly, she’s a really good girl. If I couldn’t win, I’m happy she did.’

It should come as no surprise that Kerber’s tennis idol growing up was the legendary Graf, whose record she helped preserve, for the time being, with her win over Serena.

“Yeah, I think I helped Steffi right now,” said Kerber. “This is the first big tournament of the year, and I won it … my first Grand Slam. It sounds crazy, but I can say I’m a Grand Slam champion now.”

The next step for Kerber, is building off this victory. With the rest of the top 10 in the world, outside of Serena, seemingly unable to break through on the biggest stage, the door is open for Kerber to parlay her success.

She has gotten over the hump once, and now knows what it takes.

“The mental part … it’s really big,” Kerber said. “I was able to see it. I mean, you must be relaxed and must really believe in yourself. This is actually the biggest thing I learned in these two weeks: To go for it.”

Kerber told Open Court, “Now I have a lot of confidence. I beat Serena and I played great tennis, so for sure it gives me a lot of confidence for the next tournaments and everything that's coming. I will just try to enjoy every moment."

Credit all photos to: Tennis Australia