Thursday 15th July 2021
Next tennis star is missing
Kerber also cancels for the Olympics
The next tennis star is missing from the Olympic tournament: Germany’s top player Angelique Kerber cancels. She was “disappointed”, justified her cancellation with an injury. The competition is becoming less and less relevant, and Alexander Zverev now has to look for a new mixed partner.
Angelique Kerber had hoped to the last. After taking part in the quarter-finals in London in 2012 and silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, the German top player wanted to courageously reach for precious metal again at what will probably be her last Olympic Games – but nothing will come of it. Her body, which last carried the former world number one to the Wimbledon semi-finals, does not participate. The 33-year-old three-time Grand Slam winner, who was also the flag bearer for the German team, announced her end for the world event.
“The thought of the Olympic Games in Tokyo has motivated me again and again over the past few months to continue and to believe in my goals. To be able to compete for Germany in London 2012 and Rio 2016 as part of the German team is still part of it the best memories of my career, “wrote Kerber in a statement on social media:” I am all the more disappointed to have to admit that my body urgently needs rest after the stresses of the last few weeks and that I first have to get fit again the season can go on for me. “
“Infinitely difficult”
The decision was “infinitely difficult for her, and I would like to thank everyone for their support,” continued Kerber. Most recently, the 33-year-old from Kiel caused a sensation after her tournament victory in Bad Homburg at Wimbledon. Since the last 16 duel with Cori Gauff she had problems with her left thigh, but bit her way through. For Tokyo, the Olympic runner-up from Rio was planned as a single player and for the mixed alongside Alexander Zverev – this does not happen now.
With Kerber’s cancellation, the Olympic tennis tournament in Tokyo continues to lose relevance. The top stars Roger Federer (Switzerland), Rafael Nadal (Spain) and Serena Williams (USA), along with other highly rated professionals, had also canceled. Tour dominator Novak Djokovic is still brooding. “I don’t think he’ll play the Olympics until he lands in Tokyo,” said Boris Becker of his former protégé in the Eurosport podcast “Das Yellow vom Ball”.
Becker was more optimistic about Kerber, he saw her soaring. “She did very well at the last Olympic Games, so it would perhaps be the greatest honor for her if she were allowed to carry the German flag into the stadium,” said the 53-year-old, before the German top player sent the message of her cancellation.
Kerber cannot take the momentum of the past few weeks with him. Instead, she has to fight back to her top physical level in order to be able to attack again at the US Open at the end of August.
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