Angelique Kerber is also sad on the final straight of the season. The first round finish in Luxembourg was symptomatic of a disappointing year for the former number one.
Angelique Kerber just wanted to get away. Annoyed, the top seeded Kieler escaped from the Centre Court in the CK Sportcenter of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg after her recent disappointment. Their ninth opening defeat in 2017 must have seemed like a demolition of their screwed-up season to the two-time Grand Slam winner. Tristesse in time lapse, so to speak.
87 minutes, isolated rays of hope, but also many missed chances – and in the end, the town of Kockelscheuer had a 3:6,4:6 in the new edition of the 2016 Olympic final against Monica Puig. The Puerto Rican is placed 58 places behind Kerber (No. 11) in the world ranking.
Boris Becker also seems to be preoccupied with the Kieler’s ongoing crisis. The Head of Men’s Tennis in the DTB therefore appealed once again to the 29-year-old:”I would like Angelique to change a few sets with Steffi Graf,”said Becker, even a few hours before Kerber’s latest setback.
A few weeks ago, he had already suggested in the SID interview that Kerber should re-establish contact with the tennis icon. In order to help in a tricky situation that could be summed up in a succinct way: no self-confidence, no victories – no victories, no self-confidence.
“It would therefore be a wise step in the off-season to perhaps even travel to Steffi in Las Vegas and spend a week with her. Angie would have to take the first step,”said Becker recently, adding:” But I think it would be a good first step.
In the past, Kerber had occasionally taken advice from Graf on site in the gamblers’ paradise:”I think Steffi would like to help without anyone noticing,”said Becker (49).
Despite the early elimination in Luxembourg, Kerber is allowed to qualify for the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai (30. October to 5. November) which concludes the season. Twelve participants will be competing in the Chinese tourist city.
The eleven pros who took part in the competition on the cut-off date (25. October) in the race classification are noted on rank nine to 19 – plus either the number 20 or a player with a wildcard. There will also be two substitutes.
Kerber is currently the number 18 in the season standings. In Luxembourg, she had wished to “finish the year successfully before her opening match and in view of the final challenges. Then I’ll deal with the new season.”