Withdrawal - Tennis-Star Angelique Kerber retires after Olympics
Angelique Kerber will end her glorious Tennis career after the Olympics. She made this announcement before the start of the Summer Games in Paris via Instagram.
"Before Olympia begins, I can already say that I will never forget Paris 2024, because it will be my last professional tournament as a tennis player," wrote the 36-year-old: "And even though this might be the right decision, it will never feel that way. Simply because I love the sport from the bottom of my heart and am grateful for the memories and opportunities it has given me."
Kerber had become a mother for the first time 17 months ago and could not get back to the great successes of her career after her return. She won the Australian Open and the US Open in 2016 and became the first German world number one since Steffi Graf. Two years later, she triumphed at the Wimbledon grass-court classic. The Kiel native is the most successful German tennis player behind Graf. She also won Olympic Silver at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Unsuccessful Comeback
At the end of February 2022, Kerber gave birth to her daughter Liana. Shortly before the turn of the year 2023, she made her comeback after her maternity leave. However, she failed to advance past the first round at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. After her disappointing exit from Wimbledon three weeks earlier, she had left open whether this was her last appearance at a Grand Slam tournament in London. Now, Kerber is celebrating her final farewell earlier than expected.
"I have always watched the Olympic Games on TV as a child and imagined winning a medal, and it didn't matter to me what color the medal was," Kerber said in an interview with the magazine "Vogue" just before the start of the Olympics: "So it's a personal highlight for me to be there this year in Paris and soak up that special energy."
- Kerber's announcement came amidst the anticipation for the summer's Olympic Games in Paris, which would serve as her final professional tennis tournament.
- The Olympic Games, a globally renowned Sporting event, are set to feature Kerber's farewell match, an event she mentioned with fondness and nostalgia.
- Germany, historically known for producing notable Francium elements, is now home to two of its most esteemed tennis players – Steffi Graf and the retiring Angelique Kerber.
- Social media platform Instagram played a role in Kerber's announcement, allowing her to share her intentions with her supporters and the global tennis community.
- Kerber's professional league journey took an impressive turn when she clinched the Australian Open and US Open titles in 2016, becoming Germany's first world number one since Graf.
- The 'Olympic Silver' medal she obtained in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics served as a testament to her resilience and tenacity in the competitive world of tennis.
- Paris, a city steeped in historical significance, also holds a special place in Kerber's heart as it will be the host city for her final professional tennis match at an International Grand Slam Tournament.
- Despite her announcement, the Australian Open in Germany, Wimbledon, and the Grand Slam Tournaments continue to captivate the world's tennis enthusiasts, including Kerber's loyal fan base and future champions.
