Angelique Kerber opened her grand slam account by beating Serena Williams in the 2016 Australian Open final.
Angelique Kerber opened her grand slam account by beating Serena Williams in the 2016 Australian Open final.
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Williams finishing runner-up at a top tournament is rare. The 21-time grand slam singles winner had won her last eight major finals, which shows just how special Kerber's achievement was.
Williams finishing runner-up at a top tournament is rare. The 21-time grand slam singles winner had won her last eight major finals, which shows just how special Kerber's achievement was.
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Kerber was soon being congratulated by her fellow players, past and present, on social media.
Kerber was soon being congratulated by her fellow players, past and present, on social media.
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Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley led a toast to Kerber at her post-final press conference.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley led a toast to Kerber at her post-final press conference.
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Had she won the title, Williams would have tied Kerber's idol Steffi Graf on 22 majors, which is the most in the post-1968 Open Era.
Had she won the title, Williams would have tied Kerber's idol Steffi Graf on 22 majors, which is the most in the post-1968 Open Era.
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A day after her win, Kerber followed through on a bet and took a plunge in the Yarra River, close to the grounds at Melbourne Park.
A day after her win, Kerber followed through on a bet and took a plunge in the Yarra River, close to the grounds at Melbourne Park.
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And there was a more formal setting as the 28-year-old posed for more photos.
And there was a more formal setting as the 28-year-old posed for more photos.
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Kerber became the first German to win a grand slam title since Graf -- pictured left with husband Andre Agassi -- in 1999.
Kerber became the first German to win a grand slam title since Graf -- pictured left with husband Andre Agassi -- in 1999.
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But it almost never was for Kerber. In the first round at the Australian Open, she had to save a match point against fellow lefty Misaki Doi.
But it almost never was for Kerber. In the first round at the Australian Open, she had to save a match point against fellow lefty Misaki Doi.
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Did Kerber have time to soak up her Melbourne success, maybe take a few weeks off? Nope. She was back playing a week later in the Fed Cup for Germany. However, her team lost 3-2 to Switzerland in Leipzig.
Did Kerber have time to soak up her Melbourne success, maybe take a few weeks off? Nope. She was back playing a week later in the Fed Cup for Germany. However, her team lost 3-2 to Switzerland in Leipzig.
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