Former WTA No. 1 Angelique Kerber shared a sneak peek of her first publicized practice session on the tennis court since childbirth.
A video posted on her Instagram stories, with the caption: Monday Motivation, #TeamAngie, shows Kerber geared up and enjoying a very intense practice session on a tennis court, serving and working on her rally tolerance.
Kerber has not played competitively in singles since a third-round defeat at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. She announced the news of her pregnancy on the eve of the US Open last summer, where she jokingly said that she wanted to partake in the event but decided two against one was unfair competition.
In February this year, Kerber and her longtime partner Franco Bianco became parents for the first time, welcoming a baby daughter Liana. She posted a heartwarming picture of the three of them holding hands. The German lefty targeted a return to the Tour in the second half of 2023, but postponed those plans.
In a recent exclusive interview with BILD, Kerber explained why she put her comeback plans this season on hold, before confirming her dream return date. The winner of three Grand Slam crowns began intensive training in early June and played a fun doubles match with Andrea Petkovic in Bad Homburg to bid farewell to her compatriot.
"I will return as the new season begins with the clear aim of playing the Australian Open in 2024. This also includes the preparatory tournaments in January in Australia, maybe the United Cup for Germany. Rejoining the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne would be a dream."
Kerber will turn 36 in January next year but her hunger to play at the top level remains unquestionably undiluted. This is backed by her statement when she revealed that she could have played at Wimbledon and the US Open this year, but felt that her level was not quite up to the lofty standards she set for herself.
"I have high expectations of myself, that hasn’t changed. On the other hand, I’m also aware of how long the way back can be. I don’t want to come back just to play. That would be the wrong attitude, I don’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore. That’s why I’m taking my time now to get fit."
"I could probably play Wimbledon and the US Open this year, but not at the level I imagine. The goal is the Grand Slam tournaments, that’s what I’m working towards. And of course the 2024 Olympics in Paris."
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