Angelique Kerber Returns to Team DTB for Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier in Sao Paulo

Atmospheric live music, delicious food and familiar faces around her: Before things get down to business in the Ginasio Ibirapuera cauldron, Angelique Kerber enjoyed her return to the DTB team at the official team dinner.

In elegant evening wear, the three-time Grand Slam winner’s selection vowed to take on a tricky task in São Paulo against Brazil – Kerber should become a factor in this.

Two years after her last appearance in the Billie Jean King Cup and almost 14 months after the birth of her daughter Liana, the 36-year-old will be helping in the duel for qualification for the final round of the team competition in Seville from Friday (11:30 p.m.).

“I’m looking forward to returning to the team and playing for Germany again. For me it’s a great honor,” said Kerber in an interview with her sponsor Porsche.

Kerber leads the German squad

The signs are not ideal. After the strenuous twelve-hour flight, which the former world number one started a little later and without her daughter, Kerber had to acclimatize quickly.

The Brazilian metropolis has high summer temperatures and the space is special. “It is always difficult with temporary clay courts that the quality is very good,” said captain Rainer Schüttler: “There are a lot of bad ball bounces, but both teams have to deal with that.”

In addition to Kerber, Schüttler also has Laura Siegemund, Tatjana Maria, Anna-Lena Friedsam and Eva Lys in the squad. The former Australian Open finalist announced that he would field the players “who we believe have the best chances in the respective matchup.”

This was achieved in 2020 and last year. The selection of the German Tennis Association (DTB) prevailed against the South Americans.

Angelique Kerber

Fotocredit: Getty Images

The family takes the pressure off Kerber

The biggest difficulty for Kerber and Co. will be controlling Beatriz Haddad Maia in front of 10,000 expected fans. The Brazilian number one reached the semi-finals of the French Open last year and is now ranked 13th in the world. Kerber (WTA 333rd), on the other hand, first has to make the transition to the sand, which she doesn’t really love.

Their goal is to continue to gain momentum after the encouragement in Indian Wells – with a view to the upcoming German tournaments, including in Stuttgart, and the extremely exciting summer including the Olympic Games in Paris. So far, despite the mixed results, she is “quite satisfied”. Things are getting better day by day.

The woman from Kiel is no longer putting pressure on herself. “That time is over,” said Kerber, who always emphasizes that family comes first: “There is a little person in my life who is much more important than tennis. That makes it easier to be patient.”

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2024-04-11 13:16:00
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