Angelique Kerber confirms farewell match with Ana Ivanović in Bad Homburg

Angelique Kerber will return to the tennis court for a final appearance, two years after retiring from professional tennis. The three-time Grand Slam champion is set to play an official farewell match at a venue closely tied to her career.

On June 20, the 38-year-old will face long-time rival and friend Ana Ivanović at the WTA grass-court tournament in Bad Homburg, according to Bild. The occasion carries added significance for Kerber, who is now closely involved with the event.

“It’s the perfect stage for a special day with lots of emotions,” Kerber said. “I’m really looking forward to meeting Ana, because somehow this match also closes a circle. We’ve known each other for a really long time, she’s one of my best friends and we’ve spent a lot of time together on and off the court.”

The match will mark the opening of the Bad Homburg tournament, where Kerber serves as tournament director. She also lifted the title at the event’s inaugural edition in 2021, defeating Petra Kvitová in the final.

Kerber remains one of the most successful German players of the modern era. She won the Australian Open and US Open in 2016, before adding the Wimbledon title in 2018. She also reached world No. 1 and held the top ranking for a total of 34 weeks.

Her career was defined not only by results but by consistency, defensive resilience, and mental strength, qualities that allowed her to compete at the highest level across multiple seasons.

Since retiring, Kerber has shifted her focus toward her personal life while maintaining a strong connection to the sport. Alongside her role in Bad Homburg, she has remained active in tennis through development initiatives and support for younger players.

Despite the exhibition nature of the farewell, Kerber suggested she will approach the match competitively, stating she will “not give Ivanović anything for the last time either.”