Kerber become World No.1 women's singles tennis player

New York, Sep 9 (IANS) German Angelique Kerber will become the new women's singles World No.1 replacing long-standing incumbent American Serena Williams when updated rankings are released on Monday, September 12.

"Congratulations to Angelique on this remarkable accomplishment of becoming the WTA World No.1," said Women's Tennis Association (WTA) CEO Steve Simon according to wtatennis.com on Thursday.

"It is extremely difficult to reach the pinnacle of our sport, and Angelique has demonstrated amazing work ethic in the past year. Her outstanding results reflect this, and she truly deserves to be the new WTA World No.1."

The 28-year-old becomes only the second German woman to achieve this historic milestone since computer rankings were introduced in 1975, and the first since Steffi Graf spent the last of her record 377 weeks at No.1 in March 1997.

She is also the oldest player to make her debut at No.1, a record previously held by Jennifer Capriati, who was 25 years, 200 days when she reached No.1 in October 2001.

Kerber's rise to No.1 brings to an end the reign of Serena Williams, whose sixth stint in the top spot began more than three years ago, on February 18, 2013.

At 186 consecutive weeks, the American's most recent stay at No.1 ties the Open Era record for most consecutive weeks at No.1 held by Graf. This is the 88th time the No.1 ranking has changed hands over the past four decades.

This accomplishment is the latest in what has been a breakout year for the German, who began the season by defeating Serena Williams to win her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, and followed up by advancing to the Wimbledon final, capturing a silver medal in singles at the Rio Olympicsand reaching the final at the ongoing US Open.

Kerber will be presented with the WTA World No.1 Trophy at the US Open.

--IANS

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