WTA: Angelique Kerber: “I had to learn to be proud of myself”

A few days after her triumph in Wimbledon, Angelique Kerber talks to the news magazine “Der Spiegel” about pride, true champions, the English Royals and personal development.

The time-honoured Royal Box from Wimbledon, it is a unique selling point and eye-catcher at the same time. For Angelique Kerber, who is now on a well-deserved short holiday, a week ago she was one thing above all: a taboo! At least during her final victory on the most important Centre Court in the tennis universe against superstar Serena Williams (USA).

The duchesses Kate and Meghan – Duchness of Cambridge and Duchness of Sussex respectively – also sat in the first row of the royal square panelled with fine wood for the final.

“A few weeks ago, I was watching Meghan’s wedding on TV. Wow. It’s a special feeling to know that people like that are watching you,” Kerber told Spiegel, saying: “I didn’t look up to them the whole game, not even in the Serena box.

Among others, golf icon Tiger Woods, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and Vogue boss Anna Wintour took their seats there. But the Kieler avoided the view into the just as overcrowded as illustrious Williams exclusive area. “If Serena had realized that I was deviating from my plan, she would have been punished for it,” Kerber explained her strategy.

After the 6:3, 6:3 over Serena Williams (36), the 30-year-old did not really feel like a spoilsport. Although Kerber knew exactly that it had been a dream for the 23-time major winner from Florida after the birth of daughter Alexis Olympia (almost eleven months old) to triumph for the eighth time in Wimbledon. “But I also have a story,” Kerber stressed: “To play them again after the 2016 Netherlands, my second chance. Now I’ve made history for myself, too.”

The title in the grass mecca has a special magic for “Angie”, he makes her “complete” as a player. The coup on Church Road was also a victory over itself, over doubt (“They’re coming fast”).

“Champions learn from defeats, stand up again. Of course you have self-doubt, but why? Because you know you can, you can do everything in training. Often one or two points decide the outcome – champions win tournaments because they know what to do at those moments,” Kerber said. With meanwhile three Grand Slam titles she can feel like a real “champ”.

The road to Wimbledon’s success was rocky after last season’s failed season, with ten defeats to begin with. However, personal development also contributed to the impressive turnaround. “A moment came in 2017,” said the fourth in the world rankings, “in which I realized: You have to part with yourself as a tennis player. I had to learn to be proud of myself.” Today, she no longer defines herself only by her job, “but sees me as a person.”

And Kerber also drew her conclusions in other respects. After a tournament, “Angie” only starts training again when she feels physically and mentally ready, “even if it takes two days longer than usual. I need this. If I start too early, it could be death.”

Before the US Open in New York (August 27 to September 9), Kerber plans to compete at the hard court events in Montreal (from August 6) and Cincinnati (from August 12). In the future, the former number one, who started the year as the 21st in the WTA ranking, wants to further adjust her tournament planning.

With a focus on the Grand Slams and the other major tournaments like Indian Wells or Miami, “I take more breaks in between”.

Kerber wants to take advantage of the time-out. “I go running, get fit to sweat a little. Try to sleep long, not look at the clock, eat well, go to the movies, all as normal as possible,” announced the new Wimbledon winner.