Wimbledon - Back to fun with a notebook - Niemeier smiles in London
After her mood-lifting performance at Wimbledon in the chaotic London rain, Jule Niemeier shone through. A day after Angelique Kerber's first-round exit, the 24-year-old from Dortmund passed her test impressively and unexpectedly advanced to the second round with a delay. Her Swiss opponent, Viktorija Golubic, was left speechless after Niemeier's 6:2, 6:1 victory.
"I was really relieved. I think I played a very, very good match," said the Wimbledon quarterfinalist of 2022 happily. "It's so much fun to play here. The quarterfinals two years ago don't help me much because I want to do better."
Two German women advance to Round 3
The world number 90 polished the German women's statistics a little: As the second of the initial six Germans, she passed her first test and now faces a challenging task against Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
Laura Siegemund goes into the challenge as an outsider on Thursday against Wimbledon champion from 2022, Elena Rybakina. Olympic champion Alexander Zverev (against Marcos Giron from the USA) is also in line.
Two years ago, Niemeier celebrated her biggest success at Wimbledon on London's Church Road. The awakened hopes she could not confirm and experienced a very difficult year 2023.
Niemeier loses a little fun
"I also lost a little fun with the sport. It's just difficult when you win few matches," admitted the 24-year-old. "I didn't feel good. You want to be successful. Especially after the year before, which was very successful."
She tried to "just believe that it will all come back because I showed the year before that I can do it." With that, she also pulled herself out of the depths. Now she is happy that she has made a fresh start with the coach change to Michael Geserer. The last year was cut off. "I think you can see that I'm having fun again and that I'm on the right track."
Niemeier doodles in her notebook
She also mastered the weather chaos with recurring rain that has caused problems for the organizers since Tuesday. Niemeier's first round was postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday and delayed for a total of two hours. When Niemeier finally stepped onto the court, the weather held out for only two games before the interruption. After the resumption, she dominated.
Notes in her notebook helped her against Golubic. What she wrote in it, she, however, did not want to reveal. "I find it very good to write things down, even thoughts, to remind myself of things in the match," explained Niemeier. "Of course, it also helps to get things done or just to doodle."
No clear answer from Kerber
Niemeier extended her stay at Wimbledon, which would have also pleased three-time Grand Slam champion Kerber. The 36-year-old sat after her first-round loss to Julia Putintseva with shining eyes and left the question about her future open. Neither with a yes nor with a no did she answer whether this was her last Wimbledon appearance.
"I don't know. I didn't come with that thought," said the former world number one and Wimbledon champion of 2018 as she had to endure the low point of her beloved, but this time disappointing grass season.
"My tournament"
Emotional Kerber, the 2018 tournament winner, looks back on her Wimbledon history. "When I watch Wimbledon, it feels like my tournament," said Kerber. "I still have the most beautiful moments in my head, and that will stay the same regardless of the match." Unlike Niemeier, Kerber didn't lose the fun with the losing streak. "I've already gotten used to it," said the Kiel native.
- Despite the rain chaos in London, Jule Niemeier from Germany managed to advance to the second round of Wimbledon, following her impressive victory over Swiss Viktorija Golubic.
- After Laura Siegemund's challenge against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Thursday, another German, Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, will face Marcos Giron from the USA.
- Great Britain's Wimbledon quarterfinalist of 2022, Jule Niemeier, expressed her excitement and determination for better results after her victory against Golubic.
- Following the exit of Angelique Kerber in the first round, Niemeier advanced to the second round with a delay, much to the delight of German tennis fans.
- Two years ago, Jule Niemeier celebrated her biggest success at Wimbledon, but she struggled with a difficult year in 2023 and admitted to losing some fun with the sport.
- In her quest to get back to her best form, Niemeier underwent a coach change to Michael Geserer and has managed to regain her love for the game, as evidenced by her recent performance at Wimbledon.
- Niemeier used her notebook to jot down thoughts and strategies during her match against Golubic, helping her to stay focused and eventually emerge victorious.
- Three-time Grand Slam champion Kerber, who also experienced a first-round exit at Wimbledon, sat with shining eyes after her loss and left open the question about her future participation in the tournament, adding to the intrigue surrounding her beloved Wimbledon history.
