Angelique Kerber starts the tennis year 2021 in Australia, in what feels like a different world. Strict measures and low corona numbers enable Kerber and Co. Down Under to live an almost normal life and start the season in front of spectators.
“When you come from Europe, it’s a bit like a different world,” said the woman from Kiel, who starts the season on Wednesday at the Grampians Trophy, a preparatory tournament for the Australian Open (from February 8th). “You can go out, visit restaurants and bars. Everything is open.”
Just walk out the door, a luxury that Kerber was unable to enjoy at first after arriving on the fifth continent. When number 25 in the world rankings landed in Melbourne on January 15, she was one of more than 70 players who were not allowed to leave their hotel room for the following two weeks due to infections on the flights.
Angelique Kerber set back two weeks in the hotel room in preparation for the Australian Open. The woman from Kiel makes the best of it. more
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“Midnight Tennis” after quarantine
It is understandable that the Kiel woman did not want to stay a minute longer in her four walls last Friday when the quarantine ended. She grabbed her racket and went to the training field for “midnight tennis”. The 33-year-old also made up for the obligatory visit to St. Kilda Beach and treated herself to a few beautiful hours with sunset on the picturesque beach.
Australia is coming through the pandemic
Australia has so far gotten through the corona pandemic relatively lightly. According to Johns Hopkins University, only 28,824 infections and 909 deaths have been registered in the country with around 25 million inhabitants. According to the authorities, there are currently 22 active corona cases in the state of Victoria with its capital Melbourne.
Extra tournament for Kerber and Co.
From Wednesday onwards, Kerber will again be dealing with world ranking points and prize money at the Grampians Trophy. The tournament was created especially for the professionals who, like them, were in the “tough quarantine”. Without the opportunity to exercise. Meets in their first match the former world number one on the Czech Katerina Siniakova, number 59 in the world. “At the moment I actually cannot assess where I stand,” said Kerber.
She wants to take it easy. “Now it is important to play matches, to find a rhythm and, above all, not to hurt yourself,” said the German. The first units on the court after the two-week hotel room fitness program have made themselves felt. “When I woke up after my first training session, I thought: ‘Okay, tennis is really a tough sport’. I felt my whole body,” said the woman from Kiel with a laugh. “Now, a few days later, it feels okay again.”
Kerber is most looking forward to the audience
The 2016 Australian Open winner can’t wait to play in front of fans again. The first Grand Slam tournament of the year is to take place in front of up to 30,000 spectators every day. “That’s what I really miss. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.” The Australian Open will provide images of a largely normal world. “I think we all long for this life,” said Kerber. The Kiel woman can enjoy it in Australia at least for a certain time.
Sport in front of thousands of spectators: What seems unthinkable in this country will soon become a reality for tennis ace Alexander Zverev in Australia. more
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![Shinjuku “Takano Fruit Bar” closed “I loved it” “I can’t believe it” A series of regrettable voices on SNS: J-CAST News[Full text display]](https://www.j-cast.com/images/2021/02/news_20210202193244.jpg "Shinjuku “Takano Fruit Bar” closed “I loved it” “I can’t believe it” A series of regrettable voices on SNS: J-CAST News[Full text display]")
