Angelique Kerber is as fit as a fiddle and full of anticipation for the Ladies Open Berlin

Angelique Kerber faces tough competition at the WTA Tour 500 tournament in Berlin Ladies Open. Nevertheless, the three-time major winner is looking forward to the event. Smiling eyes, optimistic charisma. With an almost infectious, cheerful openness, Angelique Kerber made it clear how much she is looking forward to her start at the ecotrans Ladies Open.

"Tennis is still the centre of my life. The emotions you experience when playing tennis are simply special," explained Kerber at the press conference before the start of the main draw of the grass court spectacle at the Steffi Graf Stadium in Berlin, which is endowed with 922,573 US dollars.

Kerber was framed by tournament director Barbara Rittner and Bartosz Wojsznis, the founder and CEO of title sponsor ecotrans Group, during the humorous discussion.

Angelique Kerber has experienced almost everything in tennis, has been a professional for over two decades, has won three Grand Slam titles (Australian Open 2016, US Open 2016, Wimbledon 2018) and was world number one. She has been mum to her little daughter Liana for a good year now. But even as a mum, her sporting ambition is undiminished.

Kerber is really looking forward to the grass court season, which starts for her here in Berlin. "Grass is simply my surface," she says. In the first round on Tuesday, she will face the Czech Linda Noskova: 19 years old, WTA rank 28.Kerber has been one of the favourites for years, wherever tournaments have been held on grass. But she couldn't name a favourite for Berlin herself: "There are simply too many strong players here for that."

Such as Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Ons Jabeur and Maria Sakkari.Barbara Rittner is of course particularly pleased: "The top stars love coming to Berlin. And now it's great that Angie is also competing here."