Former world number one
Angelique Kerber has stated that she
is much more relaxed about her return to the court. The 35-year-old has not
played tennis at the highest level for more than a year.
It is expected that Kerber will be making her much-anticipated
return to the court in 2024. The Bremen-born was recently quoted in a report
where she stated how she has been more relaxed about her return this time
around.
"On court, I'm a little bit more relaxed with
everything, which when I'm looking back, was not always the case," she
said. "So this changed a little bit. As a mom, it's different. I always
have it in my mind. So it's not that I'm going on court and I forget I'm a mom.
"I think I will never be in the mode like I was before.
It's really changed. You have it always in your mind. Even if you step on
court, you have in your thoughts that you're still not alone, that there is
somebody more important than yourself and you have it in your mind. But this is
also maybe giving you a little bit more motivation.”
Talking about her time away from the sport, Kerber stated that
she missed the sport and that she is excited to be doing something she loves
the most.
"I was really missing tennis, even to just hit
balls," said the three-time Grand Slam winner. "But of course, there
are so many things that you have to get ready again after a long time not
playing and not competing.
"So the first thing was getting the fitness back and to
feel good body-wise. For me, tennis is never the biggest problem, it's more
about coming back in shape to get out there and fight."
Kerber further went on to state that she understands that it
will take time to reach to her best level, especially in the presence of some
quality players.
"I hope that I can have good matches soon, but on the
other side, I will take my time as well," she said. "I know I will
not play my best tennis in the first few matches. I need a little bit more time
and practice and feeling again. How everything works and what works in the
match, competition is always different."