Heading into Saturday's Australian Open women's final, not many gave Angelique Kerber a chance against world No. 1 Serena Williams. But the German held on after Williams forced a third set, and won 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 for her first Grand Slam title.
The Twitterverse weighed in, with congratulations for Kerber and respect for Serena in defeat:
The reaction
#Respect pic.twitter.com/PHJ1uZrai8
- ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) January 30, 2016
Angelique Kerber: 1st woman to win 1st career Grand Slam title vs No. 1 seed since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004 vs Serena Williams.
- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 30, 2016
What a final girls @serenawilliams & @AngeliqueKerber Great sportsmanship! Well done to both. Congrats to Angelique for her 1st GS #AusOpen
- Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 30, 2016
Congrats, @AngeliqueKerber. You are persistence and determination, personified. Soak up this moment. You've earned it! #GoForIt #AusOpen
- Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 30, 2016
Holy Toledo massive props to Angie Kerber baby on winning her 1st grand slam title in humungous upset of SW21
- Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) January 30, 2016
What a match! Great fight and emotions from both women. Serena very classy after the match . Congrats on grand slam nr 1 @AngeliqueKerber
- Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) January 30, 2016
Very VERY happy for Kerber. Good player. Come this far, to play a career where nerves have cost her. To say, "just this once," and then win.
- Howard Bryant (@hbryant42) January 30, 2016
Vinci now @AngeliqueKerber stunning @serenawilliams in last 2 majors. Great performance 4 Kerber. tournament loves its match pt down champs
- Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) January 30, 2016
Amazing performance by both @angiekerber & @serenawilliams @AustralianOpen !What a match #angiekerber !U deserve this trophy #ausopenfinale
- Marion bartoli (@bartoli_marion) January 30, 2016
What an amazing final girls! Congrats @AngeliqueKerber what a way to win your first grand slam! & @serenawilliams what an exemple of a champ
- Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) January 30, 2016
Congratulations @AngeliqueKerber! So happy for you. Enjoy every second, you earned it
- Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) January 30, 2016
What a story. @AngeliqueKerber then......and now. Congrats pic.twitter.com/RIT8nv5Fuw
- Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) January 30, 2016
I don't like seeing Serena as humble runner up, even though she played the role well.
- Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 30, 2016
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!
- Martina Navratilova (@Martina) January 30, 2016
Congrats from Deutschland
German sports stars from tennis and beyond reached out to congratulate their countrywoman:
- Dustin Brown (@DreddyTennis) January 30, 2016
Wauw!! She did it! Grand Slam Victory!! Huge congrats!! Fantastic. @AngeliqueKerber @AustralianOpen
- Jens Voigt (@thejensie) January 30, 2016
concrats Angelique #Kerber #AusOpen -ein so spannendes & großartiges Match und so ein emotionaler&besonderer Sieg- genieße Deinen Triumph!!
- Katarina Witt (@Katarina_Witt) January 30, 2016
Ganz großen Respekt @AngeliqueKerber. Hast du dir sowas von verdient 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
- Andreas Beck (@andi_beck) January 30, 2016
Fantastic gesture after match point and such kind words = a great champion, @serenawilliams! 👏 #AusOpen
- Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) January 30, 2016
Hammer, gratuliere @AngeliqueKerber @AustralianOpen Champion 2016 , Get used to hearing to that
- Tommy Haas (@TommyHaas13) January 30, 2016
Congratulations from Munich. @AngeliqueKerber! What an achievement! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/3HTSEf4TXG
- FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 30, 2016
Angelique. Du bist der Wahnsinn. Ich möchte dich heiraten. GLÜÜÜCKWUUUNSCH 🏆
- Andrea Petkovic (@andreapetkovic) January 30, 2016
And finally ...
The victory selfie ...
Nothing better than a trophy #selfie, right @angeliquekerber?! 🏆 #AusOpen #ESPNTennis pic.twitter.com/F6tzp9OqAd
- ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) January 30, 2016