Great German hope: Jule Niemeier also wants to shine at the Australian Open
Jule Niemeier and Tatjana Maria caused a stir last year. In the absence of Angelique Kerber, they are again the beacons of hope at the Australian Open.
by SID
last edit: Jan 11, 2023, 02:50 pm
Two weeks of relaxation in South Africa and on the Seychelles - after her impressive first Grand Slam year, Jule Niemeier allowed herself a little break from the tennis circus. "It was important to me to spend time with my family after the season, I really enjoyed that too," said the new German number one and then threw himself into the preparations for the Australian Open with great determination.
It is now in the absolute final phase - the first Grand Slam tournament of the new year starts next Monday in Melbourne. And in the absence of the pregnant Angelique Kerber, the 23-year-old is one of the greatest German hopes alongside Wimbledon semi-finalist Tatjana Maria.
Strong Grand Slam results last year
After all, in 2022 the Dortmund native impressively demonstrated how much she likes the big stage, and now she wants to live up to the increased expectations. "I'm constantly working with my team to further develop my game," she told SID. Niemeier sees the fact that she is now much more in the limelight "as an incentive and motivation for the tasks ahead".
Last year, the current number 68 in the world celebrated her major debut in Paris, only failed in Wimbledon in the quarter-finals against Maria and then also convinced at the US Open by reaching the round of 16. At the Australian Open she is now starting in the main draw for the first time and wants to attack again.
Motivated Maria feels fit
"We worked with my trainer Christopher Kas on my offensive game orientation on the pitch," said Niemeier, looking back on her preparation, and she also worked on her strength values with athletics coach Florian Zitzelsberger. The basis should be laid, but Niemeier goes into the first highlight of the year without a sense of achievement. She lost all three of her previous matches in January, but remains optimistic after "very good preparation".
Even Maria, who caused a great astonishment with her Wimbledon run, cannot boast of the really great results and last said goodbye to Hobart in the round of 16. In addition, she has never really gotten into the flow in Melbourne - so far she has not managed more than the leap into the second round at the Australian Open. But last season with the WTA award as "Comeback Player of the Year" showed her what is still possible as a mother of two at an advanced tennis age.
"The most important thing is that my body plays along and I stay healthy. I feel fit and always want to improve my game," said the 35-year-old hna.de. This also applies to Tamara Korpatsch (Hamburg) and Laura Siegemund (Metzingen), who will also find out on Thursday who they will be dealing with at the start of the main round in Melbourne. And possibly also for Eva Lys from Hamburg, who made it into the qualifying final.
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