Indian Wells – For Angelique Kerber, tennis is simply not the most important thing in life at the moment. The former world number one left no doubt about that after her round of 16 exit in Indian Wells.
The 34-year-old is too preoccupied with the war in Ukraine instigated by Russia. “That’s the topic of the issues right now. Everything else is secondary right now, or fourth or fifth. It’s the same with tennis,” she said after losing 6-4, 2-6, 3-6 to Iga Swiatek of Poland.
In solidarity with Ukraine, Kerber had again worn a ribbon in the colours yellow and blue on her head sunshade. “I’ve lost a tennis match now and I don’t think that’s the worst thing in the world right now,” she said. She added that many people were currently facing “problems and existential fears” and had to flee. “It’s quite stark and not that easy.” She usually manages not to think about it in a game, but “I’d be lying if I said I can completely block it out. Every now and then a thought like that comes up. But there are simply more important things at the moment.