Competitive life throws up incongruities sometimes. As Angelique Kerber mused on her dramatic return to form this summer after reaching the Wimbledon 2021 semi-finals, it was less striking how much her tone has changed from earlier this year, when her ranking was slipping with her form in what seemed terminal decline, as how that tone differs from early 2017, when she was No.1 in the world after capturing the Australian and US Opens the year before.
Some players love the spotlight and thrive in it. Kerber shrank from its glare and found it draining. But now, two wins from lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish for the second time, she seems more assured. In the midst of sudden attention as her grass court winning streak stretches to 10 matches on the back of her tournament win in Bad Homburg, she is handling the renewed scrutiny with relaxed aplomb.
As if playing some form of off-court tactical tennis, she answered every question in her post quarter-final press conference with seeming ease, cannily disclosing only as much she chose and emphasising the positive.
“The last few months were really tough,” she said, of the period in which her ranking slid to No.28, its lowest in 10 years. “I knew you have to stay calm and positive. I never stopped believing in myself, in my team and how I can play. I love this sport, to go out there and play again in front of the fans. I think this pushed me to play my best tennis right now.”
The left-hander faces first-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Ashleigh Barty for a place in Saturday’s ultimate showdown. They stand 2-2 in Tour-level matches, all on hard court; in addition, Kerber edged a Hopman Cup encounter at the beginning of 2019. That was the last time they faced one another.
“I'm really looking forward to play against Ash,” said Kerber. “She played so great the last few months, years. I know that I have to play my best tennis, and she will push me to give everything out there.
The last few months were really tough. I knew you have to stay calm and positive. I never stopped believing in myself... I love this sport
"She has a lot of confidence right now. I have to play my own game, be aggressive, and try to take the match more in my hands and go for it. Even if I miss a few shots, I have to stay there trying to push her.”
How does she feel by comparison with three years ago when she became Wimbledon champion? Is she consciously trying to recapture that mindset?
“It's tough to compare because we are three years ahead and a lot of things change,” she smiled. “But I know I really enjoy playing on the Centre Court. Even No.1 Court is such a special court for me.
It's a good feeling to have the [Wimbledon] trophy at home. When I was a kid I really looked forward to playing my best tennis here. I was not playing good the last few months
"I remember how I felt I playing here, and I know how to play on grass. Coming here with a title in my bag gives me confidence that grass really is my surface.
“It's a good feeling to have the [Wimbledon] trophy at home. When I was a kid I really looked forward to playing my best tennis here. Now I'm back after really tough time. I was not playing good the last few months.
“I always believed that I can come back because I know what I can do. Looking back, I always had ups and downs, and always try to come back stronger. I tried to do that again this year. And here I am.”
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