Angelique Kerber will be one of multiple players attempting to return at the 2024 Australian Open and has already began her preparation after becoming a mother earlier this year.
The 35-year-old has been practicing with her former long-time coach, Torben Beltz who she split with ahead of the 2022 season. They have been in Poland at the Angie Kerber Tennis Academy, with Beltz recently splitting with Anett Kontaveit due to retirement.
She will join Naomi Osaka, also a recent first-time mother as well as the likes of Emma Raducanu, Garbine Muguruza, Caroline Wozniacki (who has ended her season after the US Open), and potentially Simona Halep all in wanting a wildcard or use of protected ranking in some cases.
This will mean that the start to the 2024 season will be full of intrigue and Kerber will leave no stone unturned admitting it was only natural to return to Beltz.
“I was on the road without a coach before my baby break, but it’s clear that I need a coach for my comeback," she said as per BILD.
She sees Wozniacki as an inspiration, with the duo regularly speaking and will look to emulate her comeback. After playing Wimbledon, she confirmed her pregnancy news ahead of the US Open saying: “I really wanted to play the US Open, but eventually I decided that two against one just isn‘t a fair competition.”
But the fire still burns bright seemingly and after stating her intention to return earlier in the year, that is now on the cards.