Wimbledon: Barbara Rittner in tennisnet interview: “A German final would be madness”

Barbara Rittner, Head of Womens’ Tennis at DTB, talks about the magic of holy grass, a possible German Wimbledon finale and the special characteristics of Angelique Kerber and Julia Görges in a tennisnet interview.

By Ulrike Weinrich from Wimbledon

tennisnet: “How surprised are you that two German women have reached the semi-finals in Wimbledon for the first time in 134 years?”

Barbara Rittner: “I am super happy. Before the tournament, I gave an assessment of the chances of all German players. And about Angie and Jule I said that I really think anything is possible. With Angie anyway, I had already guessed after her strong start to the season that she would win Wimbledon this year. With Jule, I knew she could play well on any surface. And the time is ripe for it to be rewarded and for it to fit together at a Grand Slam tournament. So soberly considered and given the current situation in the ladies’ scene, I’m not so surprised that our two are at the very front.”

tennisnet: “Julia Görges is a little surprised herself that she made the major breakthrough in Wimbledon, of all places, after she had last cashed five consecutive first-round failures there. Is that what you are, Barbara Rittner: “I’m not really surprised that it just happened at Jule’s in Wimbledon. Although the best chance of getting far, in my opinion, would have been Paris. Because I think that their play on sand with the strong spin, which not many people have mastered, may be even more effective. But since Jule has served so consistently well lately and has now also found her game on grass, now fits here. What’s more, she has a great net game, which she’s learned in all the double games of the last few years.”

Barbara Rittner: “I would say: 50:50 Jelena Ostapenko is a bit unpredictable, but I see Angie in front. The other semi-final between Serena Williams and Jule will depend on how she copes with the situation of playing on the Centre Court. Added to this is the awareness that this is the first Görges semi-final in a Grand Slam tournament. She now has one day to internalize this and think about it. I think it will be a close match – and then Jule has to ignore in critical situations that it really is about a Wimbledon finale. And I think that’s the hard part of the situation. Serena Williams has the experience ahead of her. Just as Kerber had more experience with Daria Kasatkina in the quarter-finals.”

tennisnet: “What must Julia Görges do to crack Serena Williams this time?”

Barbara Rittner: “I believe that Jule doesn’t have to do anything special in the form in which she is at the moment. She was supposed to serve well and play her best tennis, but she had to do that at some stage in the tournament. And she did it in an impressive manner. For example, in the round of 16 against Barbora Strycova, that was a top-class match. And also against Kiki Bertens in the quarter-finals, it was madness. This level must hold Jule.”

tennisnet: “What role does the mental play?”

Barbara Rittner: “It will be crucial that she stays calm and doesn’t get hectic with the finale in front of her eyes. That’s the key. But it’s easier said than done, because these emotions can catch up with you and crush you. This was the case with Sabine Lisicki in 2013, for example, when she played Marion Bartoli in the Wimbledon final. Sabine was overwhelmed by the situation of not having experienced something like this before. And Bartoli could handle it better.”

tennisnet: “After her baby break and her comeback, is Serena Williams the old one again? “Barbara Rittner: “No. She can’t be yet. Serena hasn’t got the fitness she used to have. But that’s understandable after your daughter was born last September. But Williams has already developed insanely compared to Paris and simply on grass this resounding game. She doesn’t get into long rallies. However, you could see that Serena had to fight Camila Giorgi in the quarter-finals. And Jule is one who can serve a tic better. She has to play her best tennis, then she can beat a Serena Williams.”

tennisnet: “For many, Angelique Kerber is the top favorite for the title – for you too?

Barbara Rittner: “A lot can happen in a match against Ostapenko. If the young Latvian has a run, it will be difficult for every opponent. If I were to commit, I’d put Angie’s chance of victory at 70:30. This time not based on experience or coolness, because Ostapenko has the same as the French Open winner of 2017. She’s a relatively disrespectful and cold-blooded lady anyway. But Angie is the more solid grass player. “I think Kerber will be ahead in two short sentences.”

tennisnet: “In your opinion, what does winning a title in Wimbledon mean compared to winning a title in Melbourne, Paris or New York?”

Barbara Rittner: “Everyone somehow knows Wimbledon. Although the four Grand Slams seem to be in line, Wimbledon is this special and outstanding tournament. I think Wimbledon is the absolute highlight for Angie. With Jule, it was always a bit Paris. I think Wimbledon is simply the most traditional and world-famous tournament. Even people who have nothing to do with tennis know it.”

tennisnet: “What effects would a German women’s final have?” Barbara Rittner: “It would be madness if this happened. Personally, I couldn’t look and would probably get goose bumps nonstop. It would be a great opportunity for both of them. I think Angie would clearly have an advantage because she was already in a Wimbledon final two years ago. against Serena Williams.”

tennisnet: “How challenging would a direct duel be for Kerber and Görges, who are good friends?”

Barbara Rittner: “It would certainly be difficult for both of them, because it will hardly be possible to convince oneself that it is a normal game. The girls respect and like each other, they also like to train together. Each indulges the other in success. Both haven’t played against each other for a long time, and they also have completely different playing facilities. Jule lives on her dominant serve, Angie on her counterplay. Self-confidence and inner peace play a role here. “Here too, based on Angie’s experience, I’d normally be a bit ahead.”

tennisnet: “You have known Kerber and Görges for quite some time. Do you have some nice anecdotes to tell…? “Barbara Rittner: “When I think of my first encounter with Angie, that was impressive. In 2004 she was invited to an evaluation course in Hannover. And she came later because she was still in the finals of a 25,000cc tournament. I myself was still quite good at that time. So I thought to myself, “Okay, I’ll play alone with Kerber. But Angie hasn’t made a single mistake in half an hour. She’s one of them that’s very close to me in general. I like you brawlers that get through sometimes. “There’s a certain resemblance.”

tennisnet: “…and what distinguishes Julia Görges outside the court?”

Barbara Rittner: “Jule is simply one who is totally helpful, who also sees that the others are doing well. And she’s the technician on the Fed Cup team. If there’s a TV to connect somewhere, Jule knows how. You can discuss openly and honestly with her and Angie. They are two strong personalities who have both developed further. It’s great to see that. You’ve become more and more professional. And both can say: We have brought out the best. And Jules Mama makes the best chocolate cake.”

tennisnet: “What was your most formative moment with Kerber and Görges?”

Barbara Rittner: “That was in 2014 when we won the Fed Cup semi-finals in Australia. At that time Andrea Petkovic and Anna-Lena Grönefeld were also present. We all danced together in the locker room. That was a moment that touched me a lot.”