With the injured Alexander Zverev out, Angelique Kerber is carrying a large part of Germany’s tennis hopes at the grass-court classic at Wimbledon.
Four years after her great triumph at Church Road, the 34-year-old starts the tournament against Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic on Monday. Ahead of the opener, the three-time Grand Slam winner talks about her special feeling, the return of Serena Williams and missing out on world ranking points.
..on the Wimbledon moment on her return:
“The Wimbledon moment comes when you arrive here, when you drive in here, enter the facility and know: It’s going to start in a few days. All the memories come back, you know where and how to warm up. The routine comes back, you arrive mentally and know that now your head is completely in Wimbledon. It’s a nice feeling. “
..on being the favourite:
“I think a lot of people can win. We have seen that at the last Grand Slams that there is always a surprise. Iga Swiatek has so much confidence and plays very well on grass. You have to beat her here first. “
..on Serena Williams’ comeback:
“I take all hats off to her for getting back in shape. She knows what she can do, she’s won so many titles here, grass is one of her favourite surfaces. I definitely have a lot of confidence in her. When she does something, she does something right. And that’s what she’s here for, she communicated that clearly. “
..about the missing world ranking points:
“For me, there was never any question of not playing Wimbledon – with or without points. I’m not the one playing for the points or the rankings, I’m playing for the sport. Anyone who hasn’t understood what it’s all about hasn’t quite understood the sport either. “
