Australian Open Champion Angelique Kerber Returns to Germany, Wants to Become World No. 1
After winning her first ever Australian Open championship trophy, German tennis player Angelique Kerber eyes on becoming the next World No. 1 in the sport. According to the Vavel, Kerber's dream of becoming a champion recently came true when she beat Serena Williams during the Australian Open, and now she's back in her hometown to participate in the upcoming Fed Cup.
The Fed Cup has always played a big part on Kerber's career and the upcoming event marks her first participation after winning the Australian Open. During a press conference in Leipzig, Germany she said "It was always clear that I would come here. It is always a big honor for me (to play in the Fed Cup)."
Kerber, 28, has all the good things to say about Williams, but also implied on taking the challenge if the need arises. In her statement, she said "Serena is always the best player in the world. She wins almost all the tournaments she plays. She is much too far away for me, I do not want to think about it, but if the occasion arises..."
Now placed as No. 2 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) after winning the Australian Open, it puts the German player four spots higher from her previous rank prior to the Australian Open.
Angelique Kerber trails the record of Steffi Graf as the first German tennis player to win a championship, Graf in the 1999 Roland Garros and Melbourne in 1994. Kerber is currently enjoying the fame she receives after winning the championship, saying that she has received a lot of praises and congratulations from fans everywhere. Upon arriving in Germany, she received a hero's welcome from journalists and loved ones.
DW reports that Kerber plans to celebrate with her family as soon as she arrives. "We'll celebrate there with some sparkling wine. I am really looking forward to getting home. My family have always stood by me and given me strength, even in moments when I didn't believe in myself."
Tuesday marks the first day when the German team will face Switzerland in the first round of the Fed Cup. Kerber will also celebrate her seventh appearance in the Fed Cup as a competitor for the singles match. This year, she will be joined by other German players such as Annika Beck, Anna-Lena Grönefeld and Andrea Petkovic. Germany has won two titles in the 24-year existence of the Fed Cup.
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