"I will never be in the mode like I was before": Angelique Kerber returns to tennis with more relaxed mindset after becoming a mother

WTA
Saturday, 30 December 2023 at 05:00
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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."

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