WTA: Mallorca Open: The “Normalos” become “total” Angie fans

On the roof of the former Santa Ponsa Country Club, anticipation and excitement were almost tangible. The curious glances wandered again and again to the narrow stairs over which Angelique Kerber had to come.

By Ulrike Weinrich from Santa Ponsa/Majorca

When the short wait for the two-time Grand Slam winner came to an end, the ice under the sun of Mallorca was broken within seconds. In any case, the exclusive Meet & Greet with Angelique Kerber at the Mallorca Open, which six lucky people “worked hard” for in a Facebook competition sponsored by tournament sponsor Generali. They had to describe as originally as possible why they are the right people for the meeting with the German number one.

And Kai Schäfer from Hamm/Westphalia, one of the winners, summed up the atmosphere after the relaxed chat with the world ranking elves in a cosy and informal atmosphere: “If you have been a normal Angie fan until now, then you are now an absolute, a total Angie fan”, enthused Schäfer von Kerber: “She is incredibly natural and was so relaxed. Hats off how much time she took.”

And Kerber, who started the #FitMitAngie campaign as brand ambassador with Generali at the beginning of the year, did not fail to answer. On the contrary: she described in detail the everyday life of a tennis professional to the curious visitors. The fact that the former number one travels with her own physio caused an astonished murmur in the group. “One gets older too,” joked the 30-year-old.

That she is still excited before every match – and that she benefits mentally from her experience, said “Angie”: “Many people can play tennis.” Kerber also took it upon himself to turn the tables and question her fans a little bit.

Of course, she was also aware of the fact that one of the winners had suffered a graze during his morning tennis training. “This happened at Becker-Hecht,” he said with a smile. And Angelique Kerber was reassured…Eva-Maria Wittmann from Neustadt an der Weinstraße at least felt like after the Meet & Greet as after the meeting with “a friend”. One has the feeling “as if one has known Angie for a long time”.

On Tuesday evening another dream came true for the group. Most had never seen Kerber play live before. The second seeded Kieler from Mallorca met Alison Riske from the USA in her opening match.