"Paris is the goal": Kerber wants to use momentum from New York
Angelique Kerber immediately looked ahead after her exit at the US Open. With the positive impressions from New York, she wants to attack the French Open and fulfill her great career goal.
by SID
last edit: Sep 08, 2020, 12:44 am
Angelique Kerber did not quarrel for long. Of course, the knockout of the last 16 in New York hurt, but the German number one quickly looked ahead. After all, the US Open should only be the gallop to reach its final destination of longing. "Sure, Paris is the goal that I still have this year," said Kerber, the full focus is now on the French Open (from September 27th).
The trophy in Roland Garros exerts an immense charm on the Kiel woman, as she still lacks it in the collection. She had already triumphed in New York and the Australian Open in 2016, and won Wimbledon two years ago - completing her career grand slam with the title in Paris would crown Kerber's impressive career, she had emphasized this several times.
Kerber wants to be "ready" for Paris
"I will now prepare myself as well as I can for clay," she said after the 1: 6, 4: 6 against the strong American Jennifer Brady: "I will work so well and as much as I can to get me in I'm Paris ready. "
In any case, she had already laid the foundation stone in New York, after a seven-month break from competition Kerber impressed at the US Open with appealing performances. "It was a good start after the long break," said the 32-year-old. Despite being eliminated in the round of 16, she was "satisfied with how it went for me here". Accordingly, she could take a lot with her for the upcoming clay court season with the highlight in Paris.
"It's good that I had a couple of matches here, that I have that competitive feeling and that Grand Slam feeling again," said the former number one in the world. And almost even more important: the cooperation with the old successful coach Torben Beltz is already working perfectly again.
Since the end of July, Kerber has been coached by Beltz again, with the 43-year-old at her side, she once won two Grand Slam titles and climbed to the top of the world rankings. And even now Kerber feels clearly at ease with Beltz again, that became more than clear in New York. "It was a lot of fun, both on and off the pitch," reported Kerber: "We've got everything we could out of the last few weeks."
Fast changeover is essential
If the longed-for title is to actually work out in Paris, it has to be a little bit more. Kerber first wants to travel to her tennis academy in her Polish homeland for training; she may still play the preparatory tournament in Rome (from September 14th). But she has not yet come up with an exact plan.
"I have to adjust to ash quickly now, but I think that shouldn't be a big problem," said Kerber. "I don't have much time now, but I have to use this time all the more." The positive experiences from New York should help.