Tennis player Angelique Kerber is going into her comeback tournament after a long maternity break with great anticipation, but without concrete expectations. “I don’t put any pressure on myself, I just let it happen to me,” said the former world number one to the German Press Agency before the United Cup in Australia that began on Friday: “Normally, after preparation – plus minus – I knew where I stood. Now I’m excited to see what it will all be like.”
After an 18-month break during which she gave birth to her daughter Liana, Kerber is returning to the tennis tour. In the mixed team competition, she will compete for Germany in preliminary group D in Sydney with Alexander Zverev; a mixed doubles match with the Olympic champion is also possible. According to the schedule, Kerber will face the Italian Jasmine Paolini this Saturday, and the Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia will be her opponent on New Year’s Day.
“Competing as a team for Germany, together with Sascha Zverev, is of course a completely different feeling than starting at a regular tournament,” said the 35-year-old, who is hoping for a “very fun time.” “It’s always a great honor for both of us to play for Germany.” With a view to the first highlight of the season in Melbourne from January 14th, the Kiel native added: “Every match before the Australian Open will help me get in and find my rhythm.”
Kerber arrived in Sydney with her daughter on Wednesday and had already completed her first training session on the same day. Now she is really looking forward to the competition. “Just being on the court again, playing matches and feeling the energy of the audience. That motivates me,” said the three-time Grand Slam tournament winner: “I love the sport, that’s why I do it all.”
