Tennis star Kerber and Bayern goalkeeper: What pleased Neuer in the days after the operation Sports

BILD am SONNTAG: Ms. Kerber, Mr. Neuer, how did you meet?

ANGELIQUE KERBER (34): I can’t say exactly, but I suspect it was at a Bayern game and that’s when we crossed paths. As an athlete, you know each other and then stay in touch.

MANUEL NEWER (36): I think that was before the treble win. Angie was invited to the Players Lounge and we took a photo. I remember wearing such a terrible polo shirt from the season. We sat at a table, talked and that’s how it happened.

BILD am SONNTAG: Ms. Kerber, you once juggled the ball and asked via Instagram for a trial session at FC Bayern. Has anything come of it?

KERBER: No, it’s a pity. (laughs) And we’ve never played tennis against each other. It’s definitely still pending. Manu is probably quite talented on the tennis court from what I hear…

Neuer: I played until I was 14 years old. We became district champions in the Ruhr area with the TG Gold-Weiß Gelsenkirchen. But at some point it became difficult with the dual track and the remedial training in football. I didn’t have any more time then. But in tennis there were better players than me. Also, I was rather short.

BILD am SONNTAG: Please?

Neuer: Yes, I was of medium height at school and compared to other goalkeepers, they said: He is relatively small. That only changed later.

BILD am SONNTAG: But you stayed with football!

Neuer: Playing football at Schalke is a different and bigger game. The footballers rather smiled at the fact that I’m still playing tennis. Also, as a goalkeeper, you don’t have to walk that much. (laughs) I was also more of a soccer fan than tennis fan.

BILD am SONNTAG: When will the planned game between you take place?

KERBER: As I said, we have to catch up on this as soon as possible, but after the pregnancy we should be able to do it. I am very curious already.

Neuer: But then rather padel tennis. This suits my size and I don’t have to cover quite as much. But it would be better if Angie played on my side.

BILD am SONNTAG: What do you admire about Manuel Neuer, Ms. Kerber? Can you talk about friendship?

KERBER: You can say that and we are also very similar in terms of our approach to sport and other things. That’s why we understood each other from the start. When people describe us, the same factors always come up: determination, discipline, passion for our sport. We both know what we want.

BILD am SONNTAG: And you to Ms. Kerber, Mr. Neuer?

Neuer: The down-to-earth. Despite the Wimbledon victory and number one in the world and the other successes, she always stayed the same. Not wacky, not arrogant, you never heard of escapades, as with other individual athletes, including in tennis. It’s easy to go in the wrong direction, they can’t. An example.

KERBER: Wow thanks. But Manu is also a great role model for many others: how he shapes his career, how he stays at this consistently high level over the years. Simply impressive. I know myself how difficult it is to deal with this pressure. Then always standing up there, I admire that about him. How down-to-earth and relaxed he has remained is something you don’t often see in very successful athletes.

PICTURE ON SUNDAY: Now you do business together. The matter has a serious background. You had skin cancer, Herr Neuer. How did you deal with the diagnosis?

Neuer: You have a lot of respect and also a little fear. But if the dermatologist enlightens you and tells you how to proceed, your fears will be taken away. It is important to be informed and to know why you should put on lotion in the fresh air, even if it is cloudy or you are skiing in winter. As a kid I didn’t take it that seriously. I swindled my parents when they asked if I had sunscreen on. Of course I wasn’t. Anyway, I’m glad it was discovered and I know what’s going to happen next, because the area on my face next to the nose where I was operated on isn’t that nice either.

BILD am SONNTAG: Is the disease over?

Neuer: Yes, but you have to keep watching that in the mirror and see if there are any changes. I have to go to the dermatologist every six months, for a kind of follow-up check and prevention at the same time, because you can’t see everything on your body.

BILD am SONNTAG: How were you able to continue to perform well despite the illness? Does the game make you think of cancer?

Neuer: For me it was just important that the wound doesn’t burst open and that I can put my hands in front of my face when the ball flies towards my head. When it comes to balls from close range, i.e. flanks, volleys, one-on-ones, you go through everything in your head. You think that the ball could come in the face from three or four meters. This shouldn’t be happening, the dermatologist warned me, but I managed just fine.

BILD am SONNTAG: Your advice to everyone?

Neuer: It is better to ask doctors or confidants once more. We both want to enlighten. If you see something unusual in someone, then say it calmly, talk to the people, especially in team sports. If someone has a weird spot, then it’s better to say something more than not to speak to someone. There shouldn’t be any shyness.

PICTURE ON SUNDAY: Did your team know?

Neuer: Yes, of course, I had an operation. I then had a kind of fresh laceration on my face several times. The pavement also caught my eye immediately. Of course, players and staff asked about it and I told them.

BILD am SONNTAG: And everyone kept quiet, respect!

Neuer: Yes, well, there are also good days with us. (laughs)

BILD am SONNTAG: What is the division of tasks in the company?

KERBER: At Newkee we are representatives, co-founders and co-developers, i.e. entrepreneurs. We had many video conferences and face-to-face meetings. Everyone contributes their ideas. Of course we don’t stand in the laboratory, our co-founders take care of the production.

BILD am SONNTAG: Regarding sport: Do you watch the World Cup, Ms. Kerber?

KERBER: Yes, of course I will.

Commentator during live show That’s why Moukoko MUST go to the World Cup!

BILD am SONNTAG: What can Germany achieve?

KERBER: When it comes down to it, the guys will definitely be there, I’m confident. They’re a super good team and when they get into the rhythm you know what’s at stake. But title or not, I don’t want to put any pressure on it. I know how it is. I am sure you will do very well. round after round.

BILD am SONNTAG: Round after round, like in tennis, Mr. Neuer?

Neuer: We’ve never said round by round. We only ever talk about finals.

BILD am SONNTAG: That sounds good.

Neuer: Yes, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals… (laughs)