Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: Angelique Kerber hoped to the end
Angelique Kerber actually wanted to return to the WTA Tour at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix this week after her injury break. Because of the Corona crisis, the two-time Stuttgart winner is now preparing for her comeback at home in Poland.
by Press release
last edit: Apr 20, 2020, 01:16 pm
In a big interview with the organizers of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, the best German tennis player talks about how much she enjoys this time with the family, why her cooking is so fun, how she prepares for the continuation of the tour without rackets and balls and why she wants people to be able to enjoy the little things in life again after this crisis.
Angelique, you would normally be at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart this week. Where are you instead and how are you?
“I'm in Poland and I'm fine. It is really a shame that the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix cannot take place due to the corona crisis. After my injury worries from the season opener, I am now fit again and I was really looking forward to returning on the tour. Celebrating my comeback at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix with the fantastic audience in Stuttgart was a very special motivation for me. ”
You have participated in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix every year since 2012. How much do you regret the cancellation?
“The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is one of my favorite tournaments, and I also know from other players how much they would have liked to come back to Stuttgart. Of course I hoped to the end that there was still a solution, but in the end the organizers had no other choice. I think it's good and right that one has made this decision with due regard to the health of everyone involved, and I'm already looking forward to the tournament next year. ”
Let us look back briefly: What memories do you have of your appearances at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix?
“I have a lot of wonderful memories with Stuttgart. Of course, the two finals that I won in the Porsche Arena are particularly present. 2015 against Caroline Wozniacki, that was a real thriller. In the third set I was 3: 5 behind, Caroline was only two points away from victory. And then I did the thing with the support of the great audience. In my second round match, I beat the top seeded Maria Sharapova, the three-time Stuttgart winner, in three sets. That was also an absolute highlight. The following year the German final against Laura Siegemund, in which I, as defending champion, was particularly under pressure. I will never forget the atmosphere in the hall and the emotions after my victory. ”
How do you cope with the current situation?
“Switching to this completely different daily rhythm was not easy for me at first. But I'm trying to make the best of the situation. The tennis courts are still closed and unfortunately I can't hit balls, but I do my daily workout to stay fit for the day when I can play tennis again. Nobody can reliably say when it will be and what the future looks like. That makes it so difficult to plan for this day. "
How do you manage to carry out your training in a disciplined and consistent manner without having the next match in mind?
“This time-out came so suddenly and unexpectedly that I also had to reorient myself completely. This was not so easy. But the motivation to do your training as best as possible is always there for a top athlete. I have a goal and I know why I am doing it. It is therefore not difficult for me to keep this motivation high, although I do not know how long I will have to stay at home, whether it is weeks or months. ”
What do you miss most during this time, apart from tennis, of course?
"There are little things that I miss. Things that were taken for granted a short time ago, but are now no longer possible. I miss my normal everyday life, I would like to go for a coffee with friends again. But my only outing in the fresh air these days is to go shopping in the supermarket, with a face mask and rubber gloves. ”
In a video, you and other Porsche brand ambassadors appeal to your fans to think positively, stand together and adhere to the instructions of the authorities. How important is that?
“It is extremely important to be able to leave this crisis behind us as quickly as possible. I am therefore pleased that so many personalities from all areas are involved. The message is clear: we have to stick together as best we can in this difficult time, across borders, look ahead and try to get through this situation together. At the moment that is more important than anything else, also more important than tennis. ”
How are your colleagues doing? Are you in contact with other players?
"Yes always again. I chat with friends from the tour and we tell each other what we do all day. One of them is Caroline Wozniacki. She has already stopped, but is now eagerly waiting for her big farewell match against Serena Williams, which also had to be postponed because of Corona. I also keep in touch with my colleagues from Porsche Team Germany. I would have loved to play the Fed Cup final round in Budapest with them, which unfortunately also fell victim to Corona. ”
As a tennis player, you usually live a hectic life, constantly traveling around the world. What do you finally have time for?
“For cooking, among other things. I've always wanted to learn that properly, but never had the time. Now I cook almost every day, which is great fun. In my family, traditional dishes are mainly cooked according to old recipes, for example delicious casseroles. Sometimes I also get suggestions from a cooking app or from YouTube. We have tried everything from Italian to Thai, baked cakes and prepared desserts. ”
What do you do best?
"Clearly pan dishes. But they are also the easiest. You blow everything into the pan, stir and see what happens. "
How else do you use this time full of restrictions?
"I enjoy the days at home. I just try to take a deep breath, give my body the rest it needs, switch off and clear my head. When this pandemic ends, you will surely be grateful for many things that you have not appreciated so far, if only to be able to move freely again. I hope that afterwards, despite all the hectic pace, I can always take time for myself and enjoy the little things in life. ”
Are these the lessons you are learning from the crisis?
“I think you can learn from a crisis like this. Hopefully we all learn from this to be more grateful for things that we otherwise don't really appreciate. I also hope that this crisis will lead to the realization that together we are stronger than everyone on our own and that we will act accordingly in the future. ”
Porsche in tennis
Porsche has been a sponsor of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix since 1978 and has also been an organizer since 2002. The tournament in the Stuttgart Porsche Arena was once again voted the world's most popular in its category by the players in 2019. As part of its global partnership with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), Porsche is, among other things, the title partner of the "Porsche Race to Shenzhen", the official qualification ranking for the Shiseido WTA Finals. The Stuttgart sports car manufacturer is also the exclusive automotive partner of the WTA and the WTA Finals. As a premium partner of the German Tennis Federation (DTB), the company supports Porsche Team Germany in the Fed Cup and is committed to promoting young talent with the Porsche Talent Team and the Porsche Junior Team. As brand ambassadors, Angelique Kerber, Julia Görges and Maria Sharapova give Porsche a face in tennis.