Angelique Kerber has hit the ground running at Wimbledon.
On the heels of winning her first title (at Bad Homburg, Germany) since she last hoisted the Venus Rosewater Dish at Wimbledon in 2018, Kerber kept up her fine play on No.1 Court and notched a hard-fought straight sets win over Serbia’s Nina Stojanovic, 6-4, 6-3.
After the victory Kerber reflected on the victory and her current confident state of mind.
“I'm feeling really good,” she said. “Especially of course with the win on my belt last week coming here to Wimbledon, that gives me for sure a lot of confidence. And also playing on grass again, which I love to play. It fits my game.”
The German improves to 32-11 lifetime at Wimbledon. She will face either Ana Konjuh or Sara Sorribes Tormo in the second round.
If Kerber can get through that match she could potentially face seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in round three. Kerber defeated Williams in the 2018 final, and spoke about that tremendous experience on Tuesday.
“I think this match will be always the most special one in my career, because of course playing against Serena, I played her twice in the finals,” she said. “The first one I lost, and then I get the chance to play another final against her which I won.
Remarkably, Kerber owns a 2-1 lifetime record against Williams in Grand Slam finals. She also defeated the 23-time major champion in the final in the 2016 Australian Open final.
“Always when I'm coming back, I have the pictures in my mind, the memories. And always when somebody is asking me which one was like, you know, your special moment or this one which you will always remember, it's for sure, yeah, the final on the Centre Court here against Serena.
“So it will never go away in my mind.”
Though she is 33, and has not been at the top of her game much of late, last week proves that Kerber can still produce World No.1-type magic on a tennis court.
“I never told myself how long I want to play or, like, a deadline,” she said, when asked if she imagined she would still be playing at 33. “I always said to myself if I feel one day it's over, I have to finish, I will do this. I just follow my heart and follow the passion I have for the sport.”