To get a first impression of a player’s state of mind, it sometimes helps to look at a timeline. When did a tennis match end? And when did the professional show up for the press conference. For example, if Rafael Nadal won the French Open for the 800th time in Paris, he would not be seen for hours.
Angelique Kerber now showed what it looks like in the opposite case, i.e. after a particularly disappointing defeat. 4: 6, 3: 6 lost, an SMS popped up from the tournament. Kerber would come almost immediately. Barely 20 minutes between match point and first reply. Just get everything over with quickly and away, that’s how it worked. To make matters worse, this January 18th was her 34th birthday.
After all: Kerber did not present himself in a doomsday mood after the end against the Estonian Kaia Kanepi, 36, who acted powerfully. But as world number 115. was certainly not favored against the Melbourne winner of 2016. “I tried to find my rhythm and come back, but sometimes there are days like this,” said Kerber, former number one and current 20th in the world rankings. She quickly had an explanation for her visibly hesitant demeanor ready. She had always “arrived here with a few matches”, but this time her preparation didn’t look ideal.
In December she caught the corona virus, she survived it with fever and loss of taste, her schedule got messed up. Instead of playing another tournament or two before competing in the first Grand Slam of the season, she had to skip everything. Also in Sydney, where she was registered, she withdrew her start at short notice.
The generation gap in German women’s tennis is now becoming visible
During rallies with Kanepi, she said she noticed that she was always “a step too slow”. In fact, she often looked after her opponent’s balls that hit the corners. Were these still corona after-effects? “I have no idea how I’ll feel tomorrow,” said Kerber, smiling. You had seen her more upset before. Her expectations had been “relatively low” before.
Too often on the defensive: Angelique Kerber recognized that she was often “a step too slow”. Also the result of a corona infection in December, which completely changed her preparation.
(Photo: Paul Zimmer/Imago)
German women’s tennis is now experiencing a low point with the failure of the most successful player in the German Tennis Association since Steffi Graf. For the first time since 1977, no German player is represented in the second round. Julia Görges, who often played excellently in Melbourne, has ended her career. The tireless Andrea Petkovic caught an insurmountable first round hurdle in the French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova from the Czech Republic. As did Tatjana Maria, now the mother of two children, who at least did a respectable job against the Greek Maria Sakkari. Otherwise, the generation gap will now become visible.
“Absolutely no reproach to Tatjana, Andrea and Angie,” said Barbara Rittner of the SZ, “they had difficult opponents and Angie was certainly not a happy preparation. They have also held the flag high for the past 15 years.” Rittner, who herself as a player knows all the major tournaments in the world very well, has for a long time been the Head of Women’s Tennis at the DTB, supporting the development of German professionals, but also of the youngsters.
“We have some young players who give us hope, but they still need a little time,” explained Rittner. She means, for example, Jule Niemeier, 22, who has fought her way up to 119th place in the world rankings.
Kerber doesn’t sound like she’s going to put the rackets in the closet in a timely manner
The fact that Kerber, who arrived in Melbourne without a trainer after the separation from Torben Beltz (now working for the British Emma Raducanu, who defeated the American Sloane Stephens), but with her life partner, is in the final phase of her career, she has long known made clear. She has always left it open how long she wants to play.
Kerber was always a player who gets her self-confidence through success and fun. But despite the failure, there were also positive aspects: “I liked her body language, she never let herself down and kept pushing herself,” analyzed Rittner. Kerber herself didn’t sound as if she would put the rackets in the closet in a timely manner. She will probably next contest the WTA tournament in Dubai or Doha, both taking place in the second half of February. She then competes in Indian Wells and Miami.
Kerber wanted to celebrate her birthday at least a little bit, although she wished for “health” above all, which is certainly understandable. She already has three Grand Slam titles. But she also hopes “that I can still bring one or the other victory home”. When she got up and left the press conference, she called out: “Have fun, ciao!” It sounded almost relieved. Anyone who was only allowed to jump into the bubbling Yarra River once has done their duty in Melbourne anyway.
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