Berlin (AP) – Angelique Kerber will not be at the tennis tournament in Berlin next week. The three-time Grand Slam tournament winner had an offer of a wild card until the very end, which tournament director Barbara Rittner had withheld.
Kerber (34) had previously publicly justified her decision not to take part in the lawn tournament from June 13th to 19th with a lack of appreciation. She didn’t want to specify this.
Rittner recently said to the “Märkische Allgemeine”: “Ultimately there was a misunderstanding beforehand, an email that was poorly worded. Things like that happen and luckily we were able to clear it up. Nothing got stuck.”
World number one Iga Swiatek from Poland canceled her participation due to a shoulder injury. “I’m sorry I can’t play,” the 21-year-old shared on social media. “I will focus on my recovery and take a break to be ready for Wimbledon.” The currently outstanding Swiatek had recently secured the title at the French Open in Paris and won their 35th game in a row in the final. The WTA tournament from June 13th to 19th in Berlin in preparation for the grass classic in Wimbledon is endowed with 757,000 US dollars (709,000 euros).