The Paris Olympics will mark the farewell day of a technology of tennis phenomena: Andy Murray will depart tennis after the Olympic match as will Angelique Kerber. With out contemplating that this may also be the final Olympics for Rafael Nadal and – probably – for Novak Djokovic.
What does Kerber’s profession depart us, past the three Slam titles (Australian Open and US Open in 2016, Wimbledon within the 2018 version), the silver on the Rio de Janeiro video games and the number one within the WTA rating achieved in that magical 2016 and defended for 34 weeks?
These are the principle outcomes achieved by the German, who introduced that she’s going to depart tennis on the finish of the Paris Olympics, however past the outcomes I see rather more. I see the power of a tennis participant to enhance over time, with persistence. I see a woman who has been capable of rise with pleasure from moments of problem and fierce (and unfair) criticism. I see a mom who, after having given and obtained a lot from tennis, desires to take pleasure in her household and life.
Angie has maximized the alternatives that tennis life has given her. The surprising triumph on the 2016 Australian Open appeared like a profession prize. The affirmation that got here on the US Open in opposition to Karolina Pliskova this season, nonetheless, gave one thing extra: no, the victory in Melbourne in opposition to Serena Williams couldn’t have been only a coincidence. Then in 2017 she went by means of a second of disaster, receiving harsh criticism.
Right here is her tennis legacy: rising from criticism and an abyss of poor outcomes, which led her to win Wimbledon 2018, once more in opposition to Serena Williams.
Angie through the opening ceremony #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/vvOFlm1aE9
— Angelique Kerber FC (@AngieKerberFC) July 27, 2024
The German participant made a painful choice concerning her retirement: “I be ok with the choice to retire after the Video games. After all, it is one of many hardest selections I’ve made, however now I am going to attempt to take pleasure in this expertise as a lot as attainable.
I am very proud to be a part of the workforce, I actually wish to give my greatest.”
The 36-year-old, who grew to become a mom final 12 months with Liana, attended the draw ceremony held on Thursday: “It is a very tough match in opposition to Naomi Osaka within the first spherical.
I believe will probably be a pleasant and fascinating problem. I’ve ready myself as greatest I can, I actually wish to play in opposition to her. The identical goes for doubles, though I am not an athlete who performs so much, however I’ve a great doubles accomplice in Laura Siegemund. Let’s examine how far we are able to go,” she mentioned.
The German has an enduring reminiscence of that Argentine in Rio: “After I was little, I all the time dreamed of successful a medal. After I gained it, it was positively a dream come true. Coming again with a medal is sweet, it is one thing that can keep in my profession eternally. I’ll all the time be capable of say that I gained a medal for my nation, so in fact it means so much.”
The final dance for Angie 💛
Olympic silver medalist & 3x Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber has introduced that she’s going to retire after the #Paris2024 #Olympics #tennis pic.twitter.com/6yS17UyJJb
— ITF (@ITFTennis) July 25, 2024