Angelique Kerber - "Olympia with Alex Zverev is up"
Angelique Kerber is optimistic about the French Open in Paris. And is already looking forward to the Olympic Games, where she will also compete alongside Alexander Zverev . The German number one explained this in a detailed interview with the Sport Information Service (SID).
by SID
last edit: May 26, 2021, 07:50 am
SID : "Angelique Kerber, your 14th participation in the French Open is imminent. What fond memories do you have of your appearances so far?"
Angelique Kerber (33, three-time Grand Slam winner): "Spontaneously I think of my two quarter-finals in Paris. But there were other years with some disappointments and first round defeats, like in my best year overall in 2016. Overall, the good ones still predominate Memories. Not just of the French Open, but also of the city of Paris. There I was able to win my first WTA tournament with an indoor gymnast at the beginning of my career. "
SID : "In Roland Garros you struggled last time and suffered two first round defeats. Is it still a tournament you like?"
Kerber : "It is a tournament that I have mixed feelings about from a sporting point of view. On the one hand there is the fascination of a Grand Slam tournament, the energy of the audience on the course. I played there as a junior, and it is also not that far from home. But if I look back and compare it with other Grand Slam appearances, then my record at the French Open is mixed. Which certainly has to do with the fact that it takes place on clay, which is not exactly my favorite surface. I have another chance this year and we'll see. "
SID : "What are you planning for the tournament in 2021?"
Kerber : "I'm trying to approach the tournament this year with less pressure and a little more serenity. So not with very high expectations and the thought that I still lack it in my Grand Slam collection. It's just the next Grand Slam, I want to play well. It's about focusing on every single round, maybe I'm good for a surprise. "
Kerber - "The quarantine set me back"
SID : "How does your form feel? Most recently you beat the former Paris finalist Marketa Vondrousova and in other matches you gave the impression of being closer again ..."
Kerber : "It's definitely going in the right direction. The quarantine in Australia threw me back, mentally and physically, it wasn't that easy. I needed a slightly longer start-up time to get back into the rhythm of the match. It was I've had good matches on clay in the last few weeks, with an increasing form curve, even if I couldn't win some of them. I still have a lot of work to do, but I feel pretty good physically. "
SID : "Paris is also the last tournament before the cut for the Olympics. Are you going to compete in Tokyo together with Alexander Zverev in mixed, should the world rankings be enough?"
Kerber : "The date is definitely to compete with Alex in mixed. And indeed for several years. We have already gained experience in the Hopman Cup for Germany and played together successfully."
SID : "Tokyo is already taking up a lot of public awareness. There are optimistic and skeptical voices. How do you see the upcoming summer games?
Kerber : "You have mixed feelings, and I can understand both sides. It's always a great honor for me to play for Germany. After the last Olympic Games in Rio 2016, I was incredibly proud to have won the silver medal as part of the Teams to return. Therefore, there is basically a great anticipation, although many questions remain unanswered as to the process and in what framework the Games can ultimately take place. The Olympics will probably not be as we have known it until now. "
Kerber is looking forward to Berlin and Bad Homburg
SID : "The French Open and Tokyo are two highlights. What are other big goals for you this season?"
Kerber : "I actually look from stage to stage now. After Paris it goes on in rapid succession, then straight from sand to grass without a break, and I'm happy that I have two tournaments in Germany with Berlin and of course my tournament in Bad Homburg. It will be a special highlight for me and it will be all the more beautiful that there will probably also be some audience at the premiere. That motivates me and makes me all the more happy. "
SID : "What experiences did you gain in preparing for the tournament?"
Kerber : "As an organizer in the background, I now know how much work, how much effort is behind it. On the other hand, I know what the players expect from an event like this. I now know both sides, so it's all the more emotional for me. also to be there and to play. Then after the home tournaments on grass there is Wimbledon immediately afterwards. For me that is the big highlight again before I go to Japan and America. "
SID : "The Corona situation is currently improving more and more. To what extent does the prospect of more viewers and more normality influence your career planning beyond the current year?"
Kerber : "A lot has happened in the last few weeks and we are on the verge of allowing more viewers to be admitted again. I'm very happy about the development, even if it happens gradually and only a part is admitted at the beginning. In front of fans There's no substitute for playing. We're on the way back to normal, but I think it will take a while. I hope the next season will be played with spectators from the start. But I think it's difficult to make a forecast. "
SID : "As far as your personal planning is concerned, do you keep looking step by step?"
Kerber : "At the moment I'm in the middle of the season, that counts for me. Otherwise I don't plan too far ahead."