Status: 20.01.2021 11:39 a.m.
For tennis professional Angelique Kerber, the two-week strict hotel quarantine in Melbourne is a setback in preparation for the Australian Open. The Kiel woman knows how to classify the situation in times of Corona.
“Much more important things are happening in the world at the moment,” said the 2016 Australian Open winner: “Millions of people struggle with the consequences of the pandemic every day, and sport is clearly in second place here. What is important is that we get the pandemic under control, hopefully as soon as possible. “
Two players tested positive
Kerber, who landed Down Under on January 15, is one of more than 70 players who are not allowed to leave their hotel room due to infection on the flights to Australia. Two of these professionals have now tested positive. This means that the number of people directly involved in the tournament and who tested positive has increased to ten. Kerber is not among them. This was confirmed by her management on Wednesday morning. The first Grand Slam tournament of the year starts on February 8th.
“Can’t expect much from the start of the season”
Two weeks without training on the court will be a big mortgage for the world number 25. be. “I have trained as hard in the last two months as I haven’t for a long time,” said the 33-year-old: “It was one of the best preparations in recent years, in which I pushed my limits with a lot of heart and soul.” Now she “has to be realistic and admit to me that after two weeks of quarantine in my hotel room I can’t expect much from the start of the season”.
Fitness suffers, as does the feeling for the blows. “Of course, I try to keep everything up as far as possible with the given possibilities. Even if it is actually not possible,” said the three-time Grand Slam winner, who trains in her room with a treadmill, medicine ball and dumbbells. “I accept the situation as it is and try to make the best of it. Now is not the time to formulate big goals.”
“After the quarantine, I’ll see how I feel and what can still be caught up before the start of the Australian Open. It will be exciting, it’s all a lucky bag for me at the moment.”
Angelique Kerber
Birthday boy Kerber: dancing in the hotel room
However, Kerber does not let the good mood spoil – especially not on her birthday, which the former number one in the world traditionally celebrates in Australia. On Monday, her 33rd day of honor, Kerber danced happily through her hotel room in a chic summer dress and enjoyed strawberries with chocolate sauce and a wonderful view of Melbourne over a glass of champagne. The birthday child also got a cake delivered. “I could spend my birthday exercising all day in the room – or make the most of it while I’m in quarantine,” she wrote on Instagram about the colorful impressions from her hotel room.
“Miss the singing audience in the Rod Laver Arena”
Not even coach Torben Beltz was allowed to personally congratulate him because he is also in quarantine. “I have the best memories of my birthday celebrations at the Australian Open in recent years. It’s a tradition that has become cherished, even if I miss the singing spectators in the Rod Laver Arena this year,” wrote Kerber. In recent years it has also happened that thousands of fans serenaded her in the largest stadium in the complex.
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