By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday July 25, 2024
The Olympics will be special for Angelique Kerber in more ways than one. First, the three-time champion, former singles No.1 and Olympic singles silver medalist in 2016 will take place in her third Olympic games for Team Germany.
Second, it will be the last event of her illustrious career.
36-year-old Kerber announced the news on Instagram on Thursday, calling her final tournament as a pro her “finish line.”
“Before the Olympics begin, I can already say that I will never forget #Paris2024, because it will be my last professional tournament as a tennis player,” Keber wrote in a heartfelt post to fans. “And whereas this might actually be the right decision, it will never feel that way. Simply because I love the sport with all my heart and I’m thankful for the memories and opportunities it has given me.”
Tears are commonplace at the Olympic tennis event, but 2024 should be extra emotiona, with Kerber and Andy Murray each playing their last professional tennis in Paris this summer.
Kerber, who gave birth to her daughter Liana last February, commenced a comeback to the tour this January after a 17-month hiatus. She showed flashes of her old brilliance, earning back-to-back Top-20 wins at Indian Wells this year while winning seven matches in total.
Kerber says the Olympics are a perfect pace to call time on her legendary career.
The Bremen, Germany native won her first two majors in 2016, the year she won Olympic silver in Rio. That year Kerber rose to No.1 in the rankings at 28, becoming the oldest player to make her debut at the top of the rankings.
Kerber says that the Olympics, for her, are about more than tennis.
“The Olympics, I’ve participated in so far, have been more than just competitions as they represent different chapters of my life as a tennis player: the climb, the peak… and now, the finish line.
“The Olympics in London came at a time, when I had my breakthrough season on the tour. I was climbing the rankings steadily and every win helped me overcome my doubts and strengthened my self-belief. It all felt like new beginnings and I was carried by excitement to new heights. The year before, in 2011, I had almost turned my back on tennis and given up on my childhood dreams.
“When I arrived at the Olympics in Rio, I had just won my first Grand Slam title in Australia at the beginning of the year. My silver medal run was embedded in a rush of emotions that led to my second Grand Slam title in New York and the top of the rankings. The descent in the following year was hurtful, but I learned my lesson and Wimbledon 2018 was my biggest reward.”
Kerber will face four-time major champion Naomi Osaka in a battle of future Hall of Famers in the first round at Paris.
“Paris2024 will mark the finish line of the most incredible journey I could have ever dreamed of growing up with a racket in my hand. There are many more things I want to say and people to thank, which I will do once I complete my last match…but for now, I will take the time and soak up every second of this final episode on court.”