Torben Beltz understands that Angelique Kerber broke up with him after her disappointing season in 2017. At the Australian Open, the coach and his new protégé Donna Vekic could face the two-time Grand Slam winner. In the tennisnet interview, Beltz spoke about the future – and the past.
The interview was conducted by Ulrike Weinrich in Melbourne
Tennisnet:”Torben Beltz, the Australian Open are the first Grand Slam tournament with your new protégé Donna Vekic. The second round could be a duel with her old player Angelique Kerber. It would certainly not be a normal game for you…”Torben Beltz (41):”It would be something special, of course. I had a lot of experiences with Angie, we had a great time together. You don’t forget something like that, of course. Precisely because we are now back in Australia, where she won her first Grand Slam title two years ago. The great memories of that time will remain forever. But first Donna and I focus on the first round, then we see what happens. I look forward to my new challenge with a young, great player.”
Tennisnet:”Did you understand that after last season’s disappointing season Kerber decided to break up with you?”Torben Beltz:”Yes, that was understandable to me. Everyone has also seen that 2017 was not as successful as the year before. Nevertheless, until the end I believed that we could do it together. Even at the last tournament in Zhuhai. Angie also played well in practice, but it didn’t work out the way we wanted.”
Torben Beltz:”Of course I have drawn my conclusions from this, and as a trainer you definitely learn from such a season. For me it was clear that you are available as a coach when it doesn’t work. We’ve tried a lot, but I won’t blame myself for missing something. Now I’m looking forward to my new task. It’s also very charming.”
Tennisnet:”You’ve known Angie for a long time. Torben Beltz:”We still have a very good relationship. I also think it’s great that she plays really well and found her way back into the track. I’m happy with her. I was watching her on TV watching her play at the Hopman Cup in Perth.”
Tennisnet:”What are the biggest differences in terms of environment when you coach number 52 instead of number one”Torben Beltz:”For example, you don’t get any more training times in the big places. This has become a bit more difficult. For example, Donna and I had to train outside the course before the tournament started. Or very early at eight in the morning when we wanted to play’ Onside’. It’s a little different, but it’s no problem for me, I don’t miss anything. I don’t always have to train at the Rod Laver Arena. “The goal for Donna and me is of course to play more often in the big squares – definitely.”
Tennisnet:”How hard is it to get involved with a new player after such a long time as a Kerber coach”Torben Beltz:”Of course you have to change your game a little bit, Donna is a different player than Angie. But I’m a different coach than Donnas previous coach. It has, however, harmonised directly. I noticed that in my first conversation with her. She wanted to know a lot, have input and be drilled. It is always good for me as a trainer if someone wants to work hard. We’ve been preparing for the season in Geneva and Monte Carlo.”
Tennisnet:”Donna Vekic has a relationship with the Swiss Stan Wawrinka from Switzerland. Torben Beltz:” It’s great for me to be together with such a champion and great players more often and to exchange ideas. Each of them has his own team, of course, but you do a lot of things together – and it’s very harmonious.”