"Of course, I have to be realistic": Angelique Kerber not expecting immediate return success in biggest career challenge

Former world number one Germany’s Angelique Kerber believes that returning to court in the upcoming in Australia will be her biggest challenge.

The 35-year-old is set to return to action after a gap of nearly two years after she went through pregnancy and had to deal with some fitness concerns as well. Kerber was recently quoted in a report where she stated how it would be really challenging for her to return to the court in 2024.

"I can already feel the anticipation of being back on court in Australia soon,” she said. I realise that coming back will probably be the biggest challenge of my career, but that spurs me on.

"The love of tennis is something that has always motivated me. That's what motivates me, nothing has changed. And also the reason why I want to come back - to have that feeling on the court again, with all the emotions and fans in the stadium.

"Of course, I have to be realistic and give myself time to get back into it after the long break without matches. A lot of things will certainly be different when I return, not least because of my role as a mother, but I want to try everything and take on the challenge.”

Kerber is a three-time Grand Slam winner. Her first major triumph came in 2016 when she lifted the Australian Open after beating legendary America’s Serena Williams in the final with a score of 6–4, 3–6, 6–4.

The same year, Kerber went on to lift the US Open as well where she got the better of Czech Republic’s Karolína Pliskova in the final with a score of 6–3, 4–6, 6–4. Her last major title came in 2018 when she lifted the Wimbledon title after once again beating Serena in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-3.