Tennis - Kerber's return to Wimbledon - "Have nothing to lose"
Angelique Kerber's current role in World Tennis is reflected in Wimbledon's plans. The winner of 2018 is invited to one of the small press rooms, where she speaks before the tournament start about her setbacks and her return to the site of her triumph.
A round table instead of long bench seats in front of her, no fixed seat for the leading actress. That was different in Kerber's best tennis years.
Wimbledon is her third Grand Slam tournament since her comeback on the tour, where she has been traveling with her daughter Liana since the turn of the year. The four Grand Slams are the most significant events in Tennis. The tournaments, where victory or defeat receive much more attention than in tennis everyday life. Kerber was knocked out in the first round twice.
Will Putinzeva be the next stumbling block?
At London's Church Road, it goes for her on Tuesday with a complicated task against the Kazakh Julia Putinzeva. What if it doesn't work out on her beloved grass either? "I have nothing to lose. I'm here, I'll enjoy it", said Kerber. "I'm not hectic, so I'm rather relaxed and calm because I know what I can do", she emphasized.
No, said the 36-year-old, the loss series, which began with the first-round exit at the French Open on clay and the first-round exit in Berlin and Bad Homburg on grass, did not bring her down. Sporting lows and highs have accompanied her for a long time. "Of course, self-confidence, which is particularly important on grass with short, quick ball exchanges and tight moments, is lacking. And match practice is missing", admitted the Kiel native. Self-confidence, which is particularly important on grass with short, quick ball exchanges and tight moments. And match practice is missing.
Does the memory of beautiful Wimbledon moments help?
If Kerber loses again, the doubts about whether she can regain her footing and the discussions about how long she still plays will not decrease. The hope is vague that this special place can be a turning point. "It's a special feeling after all these years, of course after the title win and the final, to come back. I have so many great memories", said Kerber.
This time she starts as number 221 in the world with a wildcard, which the organizers gave her due to her past successes. Six years ago, she won her third and last Grand Slam title here. Here she wears an emblem as a champion, which she presents as a member of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and which guarantees her lifetime entry. Here she was in 2016 in the final, in 2021 again like in 2012 in the semifinals.
Will Kerber's Wimbledon return help? "I hope. I don't know", Kerber admitted: "I've played great matches here, but I've also played many matches here that didn't go well. Of course, the beautiful moments and emotions that I had here are dominant, and I hope I can feel that again and simply implement it on the court."
Wimbledon has priority for Kerber
The expectations at the Australian Open were so low for her, but it had been little time since her comeback. The hopes at the French Open were so small for her, but they were often difficult for her. The grass was to be her focus in her comeback year.
I'm training with Jule Niemeier, she looked fit and quick on her feet. Observed by Mother Beata and partner Franco Bianco, she prepared herself with trainer Torben Beltz. "She is still very dangerous. Especially on grass, because she plays very flat balls," said the world number three Aryna Sabalenka previously in Berlin. "It's difficult to get back to top-level play after a pregnancy. It takes time. Maybe she isn't yet at 100%, but she will get there again."
The confidence that Kerber lacks, her upcoming opponent should have. Putinzeva secured herself the first title just in Birmingham. Kerber was unfortunately not happy with the draw. Fortunately, the Kazakh is not an opponent who can completely outpace me with her tempo. And she is not a left-hander, which is not a problem for me as a left-hander.
"I hope I can just find a connection here somehow," Kerber said. Who I'll face in the second round is "irrelevant", she meant: "I have to win the first round first."
- Despite being invited to a press room at Wimbledon, Angelique Kerber's seating arrangement was different from her best tennis years.
- Julia Putintseva could be the next challenge for Kerber during her Wimbledon return, as she plays against her on Tuesday in London.
- The French Open and Berlin and Bad Hombburg Grand Slam tournaments were not successful for Kerber, resulting in first-round exits in both events.
- The grass courts of Wimbledon are significant for Kerber, as victory or defeat receives much more attention in Grand Slam tournaments than in everyday tennis life.
- Putintseva secured her first title in Birmingham before facing Kerber at Wimbledon, and Kerber admitted that her upcoming opponent should have more confidence due to her recent success.
- Kerber's comeback focus in her return year was primarily on the grass courts, and she hopes that her Wimbledon return will help her regain her form.
- The German tennis champion Kerber mentioned that she was not disappointed with the draw and would aim to find a connection on the Wimbledon courts, regardless of her opponent in the second round.
