Kerber: "It is one of the most difficult decisions I have made"

When we thought that nothing could hurt us more than reading the last-minute withdrawal of a player in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Angelique Kerber appears to tell us that this event will be the last of her professional career; after the Olympic event, she will definitively hang up her racket. Looking at her recent results and her age, it may even seem like the most logical step for the future, although it always shocks a bit to see a former world No. 1 bid farewell to competitive sports. Nevertheless, rest assured we will see her in Paris fighting for everything, even though the draw has not been favorable to the German.

“It's a very tough match against Naomi Osaka in the first round,” confessed the Bremen native minutes after the draw was made, setting up this first-round clash between the two Grand Slam champions. “I think it will be a good and very interesting match, but I am prepared for it. I prepared the best I could, I am looking forward to playing against her. The same goes for doubles, although I am not a player who plays many doubles, but I have a good doubles partner in Laura Siegemund, so yes, let's see how far we can go in doubles” she also expressed about her other participation in Paris, where she can lean on one of the best doubles players on the current scene.

Indeed, Kerber is one of the few women in the draw who can boast of having won an Olympic medal, the silver she claimed in her glorious 2016 season, despite her loss in the final against Monica Puig being one of the major surprises of the calendar. “When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of winning a medal. When I won the silver in Rio 2016, it was definitely a dream come true. Coming back with a medal feels good; it's something that stays with me in my career forever. I can always say that I won a medal for my country, so of course, it means a lot,” said the 36-year-old legend.

THE FINAL DANCE

Only one more question remained, the one that would give an explanation to her sudden decision to retire once the Olympic Games are over. The truth is that the German has not been able to reach the desired level since returning to the circuit seven months ago, with a record of 7-14 and her best results being round of 16 appearances in Indian Wells and Rome. Still outside the top 200 and facing many challenges to access the best tour events, Kerber has felt that definitive inclination inviting her to close the curtain, to put an end at an incomparable event.

"I feel good about the decision to retire after the Games. Of course, it's one of the most difficult decisions I've made, but I will try to enjoy it as much as I can. I am very proud to be part of the team, I am eager to do it” emphasized the three-time Grand Slam champion, a woman who led the WTA ranking for 34 weeks, an athlete who showed that it is never too late to elevate the level and fulfill your biggest dreams. In Paris, she will experience the last of a long list; get your tissues ready.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kerber: “Es una de las decisiones más difíciles que he tomado”