Reuters
Munich, Sept 13: Newly-crowned World No.1 Angelique Kerber stated here on arrival Tuesday after winning the US Open that she has nothing left to prove to anyone. Prior to the US Open triumph she had won silver at the Rio Games and finished second-best at the Cincinnati ATP Open.
“In Cincinnati, that is where the questions about No.1 started coming up and that is where the additional pressure started,” Kerber informed.
Kerber had started the year by winning the Australian Open but said her triumph in New York, Saturday, coupled with the No.1 ranking, had now taken off any pressure.
“Winning the second Grand Slam title, it was a bit different,” she stated. “I don’t have anything to prove anymore. I am at the top, No.1. I waited for this moment all my life.”
Kerber said her improved fitness and mental strength had been key to her success. “This year everything came together. The experiences, specifically dealing with pressure helped. I am even fitter now than earlier this year. I am more positive and can deal with things even if they do not go that well.”
Kerber informed on a lighter note that she would now put her tennis racquet to the side for a few days and would treat herself to a special gift with some of her $3.5 million prize money.
“It will probably be in the direction of jewellery. But exactly what it will be I do not know yet,” the new queen of world tennis stated with a beaming smile.
