Indian Wells (AP) – For Angelique Kerber, tennis is simply not the most important thing in life at the moment. The former number one in the world left no doubt about that even after their knockout round in Indian Wells.
The 34-year-old is too busy with the war in Ukraine instigated by Russia. “That’s the topic of the issues right now. Everything else is second, or fourth, or fifth. It’s the same with tennis,” she said after the 6: 4, 2: 6, 3: 6 against Iga Swiatek from Poland.
Out of solidarity with Ukraine, Kerber once again wore a yellow and blue ribbon on her sun protection on her head. “I just lost a tennis match and I don’t think that’s the worst thing in the world right now,” she said. Many people currently have “problems and existential fears” and have to flee. “That’s blatant and not that easy.” She usually manages not to think about it in a game, but “it would be a lie if I said I can hide it completely. It’s always a thought that comes up, but there are simply more important things right now.”
War in Ukraine worried Kerber
Kerber is very concerned about the situation. Her grandparents live in Poland, when she is not at tournaments she lives in the neighboring country to Ukraine. In the days before, she had repeatedly told how close the war is to her. Developments in Russia also play a role in medium-term planning – in April, the German team will be visiting Kazakhstan, one of Russia’s southern neighbors, to qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup. “I have it in the planning, let’s put it that way. I think I’ll play,” said Kerber, but emphasized: “I’ll still keep an eye on the situation, Kazakhstan isn’t that great with the whole thing either just happened.”
Before it comes to the final week in November on April 15th and 16th in Nur-Sultan on sand, Kerber still has to go to the WTA tournament in Miami, which starts next week. “Without stress” she wanted to go from the west to the east coast of the USA in the coming days.
Kerber then has at least the good feeling in his luggage that after the difficult start to the year he has collected the first two victories on the tour and much-needed match practice. “Of course it’s easier to imagine when you’re so close, but overall I’m happy. I went in here with no expectations and didn’t really know where I was,” she said. Because of a corona infection in December, she was practically unable to work before the Australian Open and has been chasing a training backlog ever since.