Angelique Kerber, a legendary figure in the World Tennis Association (WTA), who once confessed to almost giving up on her childhood dreams of tennis stardom in 2011, has proven yet again that she is a force to be reckoned with. After an illustrious career spanning over two decades, punctuated by several highs and lows, Kerber has now taken on an exciting new administrative role in the realm of professional tennis.
Kerber’s journey to tennis stardom began in 2003 when she first stepped onto the professional scene during qualifiers in her hometown of Berlin. From there, she steadily climbed the ranks, breaking into the WTA main draw in 2006 and making her first Grand Slam main-draw appearance the following year at Roland Garros. Her persistence and formidable talent led her to secure a position in the Top 100 that very same year.
Over her career, Kerber has been a dominant force on the grass courts, amassing an impressive 84 wins against just 34 losses. Her prowess on this surface set her apart from many of her contemporaries, helping to solidify her place in the annals of tennis history. Now, in a twist of fate, she is set to carve a new chapter in her career on a familiar turf, the grass courts, but this time, from an administrative standpoint.
Kerber, who retired last year, was recently appointed as the tournament director for the WTA 500 in Bad Homburg, a championship played out on her favored grass courts. The announcement was made via the Tennis Letter, sparking widespread excitement among fans and fellow players.
The German ace, who held the top rank for 34 weeks and ended 2016 as the year’s top player, has been an ambassador of the sport, earning 14 WTA singles titles, including three Grand Slam triumphs. The highlight of her career, however, remains her unparalleled performance on the grass, which she now gets to oversee.
In her own words, Kerber stated, “The tournament was a project of the heart for me from the outset. I know what the players need. Some work will be awaiting me.”
Her love affair with the grass started in 2007, and between 2011 and 2020, she was the most successful player on this surface, securing 59 victories and outperforming formidable opponents such as Petra Kvitova and Serena Williams.
Aside from her professional endeavors, Kerber has also shared some exciting personal news. The former top seed, who took a long hiatus from professional tennis in 2022 to have her first child with partner Franco Bianco, is expecting her second child. She made the announcement via Instagram, sharing a heartwarming photo of herself with her daughter Liana, and expressing her anticipation for the new addition to their family.
As she embarks on this new phase of her life and career, we extend our best wishes to Kerber, who continues to inspire on and off the court. As the Germans say, Alles Gute, or all the best, to this tennis legend and soon-to-be mother of two.
