Kerber admits pressure on in Slam defence
ANGELIQUE KERBER admitted being world No. 1 has piled on the pressure and said she is trying to shut out the noise as she attempts to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time at the Australian Open.
The German left-hander stunned Serena Williams in the Melbourne final last year and ultimately ended her 186-week stay on top of the rankings during a memorable season.
With a US Open title also to her name, Kerber, who lives in Poland, said her life had changed over the past 12 months, with more off-court obligations, less time for herself and the added burden of expectation.
“I have much more things to do. That’s changed,” she said yesterday. “But I’m still trying to enjoying it. That was always the goal, so I’m trying to living it now.”
Kerber opens her title defence with a first-round clash against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko on Rod Laver Arena today, and faces the prospect of a potential quarterfinal with French Open winner Garbine Muguruza.
It is feasible Kerber could lose her No. 1 ranking to Williams in Melbourne, and she is taking nothing for granted.
Last year she was match point down in the first round against Japan’s Misaki Doi, and admitted coming through that scare proved to be a significant moment in her career.
“I think, yeah, it was the important point for my career. You never know if I lost the match what might happen,” she said, adding that it had taught her she must be on top of her game right from the start.
“I have to be ready from the first round again. I will try to not put too much expectation and pressure on myself.”
Kerber has not had a good start to 2017, falling to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the Brisbane International quarterfinals, then slumping out in round two of the Sydney International to Russian teenager Darya Kasatkina.
She struggled to find her rhythm and her usually strong forehand was often astray, but the 28year-old has been working hard on the Melbourne Park practice courts and she is quietly confident.
“I think every tournament starts from zero,” she said. “I’m feeling good. I was practising good in the last few days here. Also my pre-season was very tough. So I hope that I can make the transition on the match courts here.
“For me, I’m expecting the same as I was expecting the years before – going out there trying my best, fighting till the last point. This is always how I’m playing, how I am. This will not be changing.” – AFP partnership putting the England attack to the sword. Jadhav, who recorded his second ODI ton in just his 13th game, hit 12 fours and 4 sixes in his 76-ball knock.