Angelique Kerber flies to New York. That was uncertain for a long time. But the 32-year-old tennis player should start again at the place where she celebrated great success. But she doesn't have high expectations for now.
New York (dpa) - Well then. After much hesitation, Angelique Kerber decided to take part in the US Open in New York.
On Sunday, Germany's best tennis player will board the plane to the USA, where the Grand Slam tournament is to begin on August 31st on the Flushing Meadows facility under strict hygiene conditions. "After careful consideration and intensive discussions with my team, I decided to start at the US Open," said Kerber in a published interview with Porsche Newsroom.
The 32-year-old said she did not make the decision easy for herself because of the coronavirus pandemic, but had full confidence in the organizers. "I am sure that you are aware of your responsibility and will make every effort to ensure that the tournament is carried out under strict hygiene conditions," said Kerber.
The hard court event in New York takes place under strict hygiene rules. All professionals and their supervisors are gathered in a so-called bubble that they are not allowed to leave. In addition, regular corona tests are on the program. Access to popular Manhattan is prohibited.
For Kerber it is the first appearance since the Australian Open in January, where she was eliminated in the round of 16. After that, she had to pause because of thigh problems before the Corona crisis paralyzed the entire tour at the beginning of March. As with her triumph in New York 2016, Kerber will again be looked after by Torben Beltz, whom she recently hired again as a trainer.
Kerber's Fed Cup colleague Andrea Petkovic canceled the US Open. Julia Görges had also announced that she waived some time ago. Numerous top players like the Australian world number one Ashleigh Barty or Simona Halep from Romania are also missing.
Kerber decided against it to start. Also because New York has always been a special place for the woman from Kiel. In 2011 she made her international breakthrough at the US Open with the semi-finals, in 2016 she won the title and became number one in the world. "I associate a lot of emotional moments with the US Open. So it is all the nicer for me to start again here after the long break," said Kerber. "For me, the anticipation for the new start predominates, even if a lot will certainly be different this year."
Most recently, Kerber, who had dropped to 23rd place in the world rankings, had already trained on hard court with Beltz and laid the foundations for her start. After the long break, of course, she doesn't know exactly where she stands. "That's why I don't have too high expectations, but am looking forward to the challenge of finally being able to play matches again," said Kerber. Last year she failed in the first round in New York against the French Kristina Mladenovic.
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