Plaudits for gracious Serena Williams after Australian Open defeat to Angelique Kerber

If I couldn`t win, I`m happy she did, Serena said after the match.

New Delhi: Serena Williams lost the Australian Open final to the seventh-ranked Angelique Kerber, only to earn plaudits for her generosity.

The defending champion and world no. 1 started as the overwhelming favourite to win the title and match Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam titles, but the American found a perfect opponent in Kerber.

After losing the match 6-4 3-6 6-4 in just over two hours, Serena said "I was actually really happy for her. She played so well today. She had an attitude that I think a lot of people can learn from, just to always stay positive and to never give up."

Serena, 34, failed to match Graf's record, but returned a contented champion. It was a marked difference from the 21-time major winner, who was once booed by fans at the 2009 US Open after a heated exchange with a line umpire for which she was given a suspended ban and ordered to pay half of a $175,000 fine.

"If I couldn`t win, I`m happy she did," a smiling Serena said.

Her gesture was received with rapturous applause from the Rod Laver Arena crowd. And soon, men's defending champion and finalist Novak Djokovic took to Twitter to hail the "sportsmanship".

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

Manchester United and Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger also joined the online appreciation:

Fantastic gesture after match point and such kind words = a great champion, @serenawilliams! #AusOpen — Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) January 30, 2016

American legend Billie Jean King, however, dubbed her compatriot as a true champion:

Once a champion, always a champion, @serenawilliams. I know your work ethic, talent and drive will continue to push you forward. #AusOpen — Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 30, 2016