The two of them are almost 70 years old. And even if it might not seem nice to remember the ages of two ladies, in this case it is a (further) certificate of esteem for two terrible girls who don’t want to stop thrilling and getting emotional. Despite the fact that they were number 1 in the world and today they are much further behind, in a constant chase. Even though they are mothers, they may also have other thoughts on their minds when they go onto the pitch.
The women’s Indian Wells draw offers a highly nostalgic challenge in the next round: on one side Caroline Wozniacki, on the other Angelique Kerber. Three children to look after (two, Olivia and James, the Danish; one, Liana, the German), a very important past and a present that makes them much more interesting in the media than they had been in the past. A sort of revenge, for those who at the time – by many – were pointed out as inadequate number 1, or something like that.
The truth is that this flashback is a certification of their character, their talent (expressed in a thousand ways) and their ability to resist. Angie to a long stop and to motherhood. Dear to all this and – moreover – to the uncomfortable presence (to put it mildly) of rheumatoid arthritis.
“On the one hand – explained Caroline after beating Volynets – I want to enjoy every moment with my children, even during tournaments. But I should also save some energy for the next match, which is what I try to do. In short, being with them is a lot of fun, I love it. Luckily I have my mother and nanny who help me, so I can also train a bit. Traveling with the whole family is wonderful, but it’s not the best if I think of everyone’s good. That’s why I will try to play less in the future.”
“It will be a great match. We know each other well and each knows the other’s secrets, strengths and weaknesses. It can go either way, it’s a 50/50 match.” The precedents say 8-7 for Angie (“did you really have to underline it?”, the Danish girl’s nice response to a journalist who had pointed it out), and also for this reason there are really no favourites. Also because the last challenge is dated 2018, not exactly the day before yesterday. At the time the two were among the queens, they had not yet become mothers, they had tennis as their priority. Today everything has changed.
“We are friends – Angie reiterated – and we will be friends even after the match, whatever happens. I can’t wait to get on the field and compete with Caro, we will definitely have fun. It will be a popcorn match.” How to disagree. It will also be a match that will cause a bit of nostalgia, for that period which saw them at the top and often protagonists all the way. Even if the German took a little more satisfaction.
“Staying out for so long – explained Kerber – and then coming back is something extremely complicated, even if I know I have the necessary experience to be able to manage certain situations. In some ways, however, I feel more like a tournament player, I don’t suffer from pressure and I prefer competition to training. That’s why I couldn’t wait to get back and understand what level I was at. What has changed today? A lot, starting with the emerging ones that make me feel old. In fact, I’m one of the oldest on the Tour. But it’s nice anyway, trying to compete with what you have, even if it’s all very different than when I was number 1.”
2024-03-11 15:48:55
#Kerber #Wozniacki #mothers #derby #popcorn #match
