Wimbledon is a place of longing for all tennis players, but especially for Angelique Kerber. After a mixed year, Germany’s number one is looking forward to the holy lawn. A second triumph is a big dream. Your drive in the career fall is different.
Angelique Kerber has had a mixed year. The tournament victory in Strasbourg was followed by the early exit at the French Open in the third round and the posse about her renunciation of the home tournament in Berlin.
Now Germany’s best player of the tennis season wants to turn things around. A turn for the better. And the 34-year-old has identified the sacred lawn of Wimbledon as the goal for this. The place where she celebrated one of the greatest successes of her career on July 14, 2018.
“Every time I return to Wimbledon, all these beautiful thoughts and memories come back,” says Kerber in an exclusive interview with RTL / ntv.
“It’s a tournament in itself. It always gives me the last push to get everything out of me. I’m trying to get the last percentage out to play my best tennis and in the end maybe be the winner of the tournament again. That’s it the big goal.”
She does not waste the thought that it may be her last appearance at the legendary Grand Slam in London. The end of a career is not yet an issue for Kerber.
“What motivates me is actually the love of this sport. I’ve achieved everything, won Wimbledon, have three Grand Slams. I was number one in the world and and and…”
“Champions want to win”
Keep motivating yourself to get up in the morning, hit the gym and training ground, and actually push yourself to the limit every day. That is what drives her.
“This tournament feeling, this competitive feeling, this motivation that you get back from the spectators when you’re on the pitch. Those are the moments you do it for,” says Kerber.
“Champions want to win, so of course that’s what I do it for. But over the years and over time you have to enjoy it a lot more.” Quitting is never easy, no matter what you do. But if you have the feeling and your heart tells you that the moment has come, then the moment will be there and it will be the right one. “But he’s not here yet.”
Wimbledon will be a special tournament this year. As a result of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian players were excluded. This ban also has consequences for the starting athletes. Because there are no points for the world rankings.
Ukraine war overshadows Wimbledon
No problem for Kerber: “Wimbledon is Wimbledon. Anyone who thinks that Wimbledon is losing its shine because there are no world ranking points has not understood the sport. For me it’s no longer about ranking points and places. For me it’s the feeling and the love of the sport. Giving back something to the fans to look forward to. And those are those big moments, those emotions and that excitement of playing in front of the fans again. That’s why I have to say: Wimbledon is still Wimbledon , whether with or without points.”
Kerber is much more concerned about the war. Because he is particularly close to her and her family. “I live in Poland, my grandparents not far from Ukraine. Of course it hits you. You think about it every day, read the news…” says Germany’s top player.
“Everyone wants peace in the world and hopes that it will eventually come to an end so that everyone can breathe again and enjoy life and freedom.”