Newly crowned Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber has spoken about being in the media spotlight following her shock Melbourne run.
The German stunned defending champion and world No.1 Serena Williams in three sets to claim her maiden Grand Slam title. Following her winner’s press conference on Saturday, Kerber left the venue at 3am to continue celebrations at the prestigious One Six One club in Melbourne. One Six One is a rooftop bar that plays house and techno music.
After her night of celebration, Kerber flew back to Europe on Sunday, where she answered further questions from a group of journalists at the airport. Looking ahead to the rest of the year, the new world No.2 has her eyes set on the Rio Olympics in August. Kerber will be bidding to become the first female German player to win an Olympic medal since 1992.
“I’d like to play in the Olympics. I’ve never been in the Olympics, which is a dream of mine. I hope I can achieve this.” She said.
Kerber has become the first German to win a major tournament since Steffi Graf in the 1999 French Open. Speaking from Bangkok airport to German media, the 28-year-old was greeted by a round of applause as she walked onto her flight back home.
“There were loads of applause on the plane, I have lots of photos taken, I have the impression that they all recognize me.” The Australian Open champion said.
“Things have changed so much by this victory”
Kerber is currently in Puszczykowo, Poland, to visit her grandparents (Kerber has a Polish father and German mother). Speaking about how she will celebrate with her family, the 28-year-old praised her family for their support.
“We will initiate with champagne. I’m really looking forward to going home. My family has always stood by me and gave me strength. Even in the moments in which I did not believe in me, ” Kerber said.
The celebrations for Kerber will shortly end as she will travel to Leipzig later this week to prepare for Germany’s Fed Cup tie against Switzerland. Germany has won the Fed Cup title twice with their most recent triumph occurring in 1992.
