Kerber eases pressure with simple philosophy
COMPLICATED at first, simplicity has become Angelique Kerber’s calling card.
On the brink of ignominious first-round defeat at last year’s Australian Open, Kerber reverted to type as disaster loomed – and altered the course of tennis history.
Trailing Misaki Doi by a set and 5-6 in the second-set tiebreak, the German was on her knees. A successive first-round blowout at Melbourne Park seemed inevitable.
“I was match point down ... I think, yeah, the important point for my career,” Kerber said yesterday.
“I got the second chance to stay in the tournament.
“I have been playing since then without expectation, without nothing, just enjoying everything.”
Kerber rode an uncomplicated wave through six ensuing matches, not dropping another set until the final.
Bowling over Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta, Kerber saved the best for last and stunned defending champion and world No.1 Serena Williams in the final.
Once famously fraught, Kerber’s new-found composure was traced to conversations with fellow German and grand slam great Steffi Graf and a personal determination to keep it simple.
“This is the only way to playing my best tennis,” she said. “It’s important that I have still the same team around me.
“They know me, so they know how to handle everything. They (take) the pressure off me, helping me a lot with other things, as well.
“I’m still trying to doing just everything simple, not complicated and just doing my rituals.” CAIRNS POST THIS WEEK How to play the top shots Special feature on the health of FNQ tennis
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