If number 607 and number 204 in the world meet in the round of 16 at one of the biggest tennis tournaments, it could be considered a huge surprise. If the women in question have hardly played for months and if they have, then not really successfully, the term sensation even seems appropriate.
But as soon as an interested tennis observer hears the names of the two competitors, he knows how to appropriately assess the upcoming duel at the top-class WTA tournament in Indian Wells: This Tuesday, none other than Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki, who have been among the fittest and strongest in counterattacks for years, will meet each other Players counted, both could call themselves Grand Slam champions and were at the top of the world rankings at their best.
Kerber: “There are more important things than a tennis match”
“We will try to put up a good fight out there,” said Kerber before the duel with her friend: “But in the end there are more important things than a tennis match.”
This realization matured a little later for the 36-year-old from Kiel than for the Dane, who is two and a half years younger. Kerber gave birth to a daughter around a year ago, and Wozniacki has been a mother of two for a long time. Both took time off after the births and returned last summer (Wozniacki) and at the turn of the year (Kerber).
Starting strong and then fading a lot, that’s how Wozniacki’s comeback went. Kerber, on the other hand, found it more difficult to get back into the rhythm of the tour and lost six of her first seven matches. Now, in the Californian desert, she is suddenly defeating a whole bunch of opponents who are far ahead of her in the world rankings and who are seeded in the tournament. The Russian Weronika Kudermetowa was the last to be duped by Kerber on Sunday (local time). The German won 6:4, 7:5 and appears as fit as before and is enjoying her return to her job.
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The two met for the first time 16 years ago, now the 16th duel follows. The form of the day will decide, said Wozniacki: “There are no secrets between us on the pitch.” Openness is also important off the pitch, as the friends talk about how to balance work and family. The loser will temporarily have more time for the offspring.