© Getty Images Sport – Paul Kane
Alexander Zverev has backed Angelique Kerber to make a major post-pregnancy comeback as he believes the three-time Grand Slam champion is “still one of the best in the world.” Kerber, who will be turning 36 in January, announced her pregnancy after 2022 Wimbledon.
After giving birth in February, Kerber is ready to return to tennis in the first week of the 2024 season at the United Cup, where she will be representing Germany with Alexander Zverev. When former world No 1 Kerber returns, she will be close to her 36th birthday and also playing her first tournament in a year and a half.
But Zverev believes his fellow compatriot has what it takes to make a really strong comeback and do more great things. “You have to see that she wasn’t injured. Pregnancy is something different. When she’s fit, she’s still one of the best in the world.
When you’re out for a year and a half, it’s not easy to come back. I spoke to her, she is already training very, very hard and is already fully prepared. It’s going to be good,” Zverev told Bild am Sonntag.
Kerber backed by Zverev to have a great comeback
Kerber gave birth in February but elected not to rush her comeback and decided to instead focus on being fully ready to return in 2024.
Just recently, Kerber was asked if returning from pregnancy is going to be the biggest challenge she has ever faced. ‟This time it’s definitely a different kind of comeback. If you don’t play well, lose matches and as a consequence fall into a big hole, then you continue to practice and know how to get out of the low.
These days it’s a completely different and much more difficult task. Kicking off again at the United Cup after a one-and-a-half-year break and then having your first Grand Slam two weeks later is a huge challenge,” Kerber told Porsche-Tennis this month.
