Tennis: Angelique Kerber loses her first match after maternity leave

Sports comeback in Australia

Kerber loses first game after maternity break – Germany behind

As of: 11:04 a.m. | Reading time: 2 minutes

Back: Angelique Kerber

Quelle: AP/Rick Rycroft

After a year and a half, Angelique Kerber is making her comeback. She took a break from tennis because of the birth of her first child. The 35-year-old is still showing teething problems in her match. Your opponent is now on the ground.

Tennis player Angelique Kerber suffered a defeat on her comeback after an 18-month maternity leave. The 35-year-old was defeated by the Italian Jasmine Paolini (27) 4:6, 5:7 at the United Cup in Sydney on Saturday. Kerber served six times in 1:48 hours. Germany fell behind 0-1 due to the defeat in the duel with Italy.

Kerber played her last game to date a year and a half ago and gave birth to her daughter Liana at the end of February. In the team competition, she plays for Germany alongside Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, among others, and is preparing for the Australian Open in Melbourne, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, which begins in two weeks.

Lost four games in a row

Kerber got off to a good start. The three-time Grand Slam tournament winner fended off three early break points, took her opponent’s serve and was ahead 3-1 in the first round. However, Paolini then dominated the game with her powerful shots and won the next four games in a row. Kerber fought back, fired up again and again, but hit a forehand into the net on the Italian’s fifth set point.

A cramp forced Kerber’s opponent Jasmine Paolini to the ground

Source: AFP/DAVID GRAY

“You have to be active yourself, put pressure on,” demanded her coach Torben Beltz, who looks after the German team in the United Cup, when Kerber changed sides. “I am impressed. I know what it’s like to return after a long break,” said teammate Laura Siegemund in the stands. “Of course it’s not her best tennis yet, but it’s great tennis.”

also read

Paolini was also quickly ahead with a break in the second set. A cramp brought the world number 30. but initially out of rhythm. In order to receive treatment during a break, she voluntarily gave up two games. But Kerber couldn’t use the 4:3 lead and lost the last game without winning a point.