WTA: Rittner’s advice to Kerber:”Hide 2016 and 2017 completely.”

Barbara Rittner advises Angelique Kerber to start from scratch after a disappointing season:”It was supposed to completely ignore the years 2016 and 2017 – these were two extreme seasons,”said Rittner, Head of Women’s Tennis at the DTB, on the homepage of the German Tennis Association (DTB).

Last season, Kerber (29) won the Grand Slam titles in Melbourne and New York and made it to the top of the world rankings.”In 2016, she is not allowed to compete, but should rather think back to the many years before, in which she has consistently played at the top of the world,”said long-standing Fed Cup team boss Rittner.

Kerber, who will be competing at the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai this week, has been waiting for a tournament win since the triumph in Flushing Meadows almost 14 months ago and is currently in 19th place in the WTA ranking.

Nevertheless, Rittner is convinced that the German number two can turn the tide again:”If she believes in herself and continues to work hard, she will fight back. A lot of things are currently possible on the ladies’ tour. That should encourage her,”said the 44-year-old.