The countdown is on: On the day before the grand finale, Angelique Kerber was dominated by “business as usual”. The Kieler is focused and has only one goal, which means: “Wimbledon-Titel 2018”. Only Serena Williams, who can rely on royal support on Saturday, stands in her way.
By Ulrike Weinrich from Wimbledon
Angelique Kerber is not really superstitious. But of course she also trained on Friday, the 13th, from 11.00 to 12.00 local time on Court 14 in Aorangi Park – far back and away from too much media hustle and bustle. Coach Wim Fissette took over the role of the player in the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) in bright sunshine. Significantly, the Belgian served from the T-line for a while to simulate the Williams serve. But, Kerbers Returns were mostly in.
Parallel to this, final opponent Serena Williams was a little more on the presentation plate on Court 8. At least during the exchange of blows with hitting partner Jermaine Jenkins, occasional expressions of displeasure from the former number one could be clearly heard. Coach Patrick Mouratoglou quit with a cool smile. The demands are high in the US superstar’s camp.
Meanwhile, about 100 meters as the crow flies, Kerber was practicing under the radar. Only sometimes you hear a car passing by this quiet and idyllic place from afar. The Church Road, partially closed to car traffic during these turbulent days, is only a stone’s throw away from your favourite practice area.
The 30-year-old cannot see her true favourite place from 14th place. But she also feels the magic of the Centre Court, this sacred place with its 8 millimetre pruned green, which Kerber plans to turn into the theatre of her dreams on Saturday. “Standing in this final was one of my goals when I started the season. It’s a great feeling to have done that,” said Kerber, who of course wants more: “It’s still a match to play.
In addition to the Venus Rosewater Dish, this silver bowl, whose appearance can be argued about so beautifully, the winner will receive prize money of 2.25 million pounds (equivalent to around 2.54 million euros) – but even more valuable: sporting immortality. To ask Boris Becker and Steffi Graf, the last German to win Wimbledon in 1996.
The star moment Down Under 2016, when “Angie” won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, will be followed by a very special statement in the grass mecca. It would be the perfect place to crown her very personal sporting resurrection after such a sobering year in 2017, in which many Kerber had already written off as a candidate for further major coups.
Serena Williams is very impressed with the Wimbledon-Kerber 2018: “She just plays so well. Lawn is her strongest surface, and it’s her second final here, which is very impressive,” said the seven-time tournament winner, adding: “Believe me, I know Angie wants to go out there and win. She knows very well how to play on the Centre Court.”
36-year-old Williams, who could perfect her 24th major coup (it would be her first as a mother), can count on royal support in the final. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry’s wife since May, will be in the Southwest of London for the final on Saturday.
The former actress is a long-time and very good friend of Serena. “Every year Meghan comes here to the tournament to cheer me on. Now she is doing it in another role,” Williams said, stressing: “It hasn’t changed anything about our friendship. We’ve always been there for each other.” The Duchess of Sussex is accompanied by the Duchess of Cambridge, the wife of Prince Williams.
So a lot of celebrities have announced themselves in the famous Royal Box when the new Queen of Wimbledon is crowned. “Angie” for the FIRST – or Serena for the EIGHTH…? The countdown is on Church Road.