“I think we need a bit of time,” said Kerber in an exclusive conversation with Eurosport with regard to the lack of success in German women’s tennis. “No generation like the one we had will come overnight.”
In fact, the DTB has been on the lookout for the next big star since the highs of Kerber, Andrea Petkovic, Sabine Lisicki and Julia Görges.
After all, every player in the quartet was at least once in a Grand Slam semifinal. Lisicki even made it to the Wimbledon final in 2013, and as is well known, Kerber triumphed at the Australian Open (2016), US Open (2016) and Wimbledon (2018).
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According to Kerber, returning to the top of tennis is a long road, but the former world number one was optimistic. “But over the years, with a little patience, we can hope for young, talented players. We have good youngsters, but it’s a long way. There’s a lot that has to fit together.”
Of course, there shouldn’t be any blinders in the way of this big project, because the view can also wander to the competition. Kerber sees the current luminary of the WTA Tour, Iga Swiatek, as an ideal role model for young Germans.
Iga Swiatek should serve as a role model for young Germans
Fotocredit: Getty Images
“For me, the most important quality is discipline. Iga Swiatek does a professional job there,” enthused Kerber about the Pole’s attitude. “You have to be disciplined, have a goal in mind. Have to work through your stuff every day, no matter how boring or tiring it is.”
As Kerber explained in more detail, she too had to experience this in the course of her career – and ultimately benefited from it. “I only learned that in the second phase of my career. When I was almost at the end, I understood that it was important to work hard. And this hard work eventually pays off.”
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Passion as the key to success
Another quality that can make the difference at the highest level is the passion for sport. “Without fun and passion, nothing will work,” summarized the 35-year-old. “Without having fun, you can’t get 100 percent out of yourself and torment yourself.”
“When I felt the motivation, the fun and the passion even more, I said, for example, instead of two drills we’ll do one more, and one more, until I realized that it was enough,” said Kerber.
Experiences that could give her an edge over younger players as she heads back onto the WTA Tour. As the three-time Grand Slam winner revealed, the Australian Open 2024 is her big goal. “Australia next year would be ideal. The goal would be to start the comeback there.”
Angelique Kerber with her Wimbledon triumph in 2018
Fotocredit: Getty Images
Kerber wants to support young people
But Kerber no longer wants to keep her knowledge of the big world of tennis to herself.
Rather, she would like to help the youngsters herself and offer advice to the young players – as she had once hoped for herself.
“I wish I could pass that on to young people. I used to wish I had someone by my side who might have experienced it before and given me a tip or two,” explained Kerber.
“How or what will we see, but I would love to do that,” she said, looking motivated to the future.
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