I’d really like to play at the Paris Olympics: Mom-to-be Angelique Kerber

Former world No 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber has said she definitely plans to return to the tour after giving birth with the 2024 Paris Olympic Games being one of her top goals.

The 34-year-old, who last played at Wimbledon, announced last month that she is pregnant with her first child. But her fans can be rest assured that the German will be back on the tour after becoming a mother.

“Definitely not (the end of my career). I’ll try to get fit again and return to the tour, but without rushing things. And then I’ll be wanting to go all out. If I do something, then I do it properly,” Kerber said in an interview to the Porsche Newsroom, one of her sponsors.

Kerber : “never missed a Grand Slam in the last 13 years”

“One aim is the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. I’d really like to play there. I took part in the Games in London and Rio de Janeiro and it’s something special playing for one’s country at such a momentous event. I’d love to have the feeling once again. There’s quite a bit of time until then so I’m not under any pressure.” 

The German, who last missed a Grand Slam event in 2009, said she is trying to remain fit through her pregnancy and is trying to use the time off for herself as well.

“I haven’t missed a Grand Slam in the last 13 years. It’s why the present situation is something completely new for me. There isn’t a nicer reason for taking a break from tennis. I’ll be trying to use the time for myself as best I can. I’m continuing to do sport to stay fit and am still playing tennis.”

An autobiography due in November

Kerber, who is working on an autobiography due in November through which she hopes to help younger players starting out in the game, also believes that Iga Swiatek, the reigning world No 1, will continue to lead the rankings for a long time in the women’s game and picked American Coco Gauff as one of her major challengers.

“I think Iga will head the world rankings for a long while. One player that’s come on very well and who has shown, and not only at the US Open, that she is also able to play consistently good tennis under pressure is Coco Gauff. I feel she will also soon be in a position to win Grand Slams and challenge for top spot.”

I think Iga Swiatek will head the world rankings for a long while. I feel Coco Gauff will also soon be in a position to win Grand Slams and challenge for top spot.

Angelique Kerber

Kerber, who lost in three sets to the Pole in Indian Wells earleir this year in their only meeting on the tour thus far, said that she has a ton of respect for Swiatek for the way she handles things on and off the court.

“I’ve got lots of respect for the poise with which she has gone about everything. I have to take my hat off to her for the way she has dealt with all the hubbub surrounding her. She’s after all still only 21. I know her well and am eager to find out how much longer she will continue at the same high level.

“It’s (Her strength is) mainly her consistency. This season, she’s not only won the Grand Slams in Paris and New York but also the tournaments in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami and Rome as well as Stuttgart. She’s mentally strong and continues to work hard even after all her successes. That and the intensity that marks her game on court from the start right up until the end makes her a player that is very difficult to beat.” 

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