Tennis News: Three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber eyes comeback next year
Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber took a break from the 2022 season after announcing her pregnancy in August, however, she is keen to return to the court next year.
Angelique Kerber plans to return to tennis.The German star made headlines after she announced her withdrawal from the US Open after announcing she was pregnant. She is due to give birth in March or April.
Kerber asked Serena Williams to share her experience after the American legend marked her return to tennis in 2018 after giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia.
She also asked Victoria Azarenka and Kim Clijsters about the challenges of motherhood alongside playing professional tennis, which did not seem relevant to the life of Kerber at that time.
Kerber said: “I don’t know what time or which tournament because I really want to take the time. And when I come back, I want to come back 100 per cent, fit again and feel good. This is the plan.”
The unofficial goal for Kerber would be to make it back in time for the 2023 US Open, the Grand Slam title she won in 2016.
The final tournament for Williams before giving birth was the 2017 Australian Open. She then went on a break and gave birth on September 1, 2017, before returning to court six months later at Indian Wells.
Azarenka returned to tennis seven months after giving birth, while Clijsters did so after nine months.
Kerber played her last match on June 27, 2022, at Wimbledon, losing 6-4, 7-5 to Elise Mertens of Belgium. She won her last title at the Strasbourg Open in May and achieved the World's No. 15 spot on the WTA rankings.
The 34-year-old German added: “Take your time, enjoy the moment now. And then, they said I will feel when the time is there to come back. It’s better to take one month later than one month earlier.”