Angelique Kerber

2016 Quick Hits
Week 1 Ranking: No.10
Year-End Ranking: No.1
Season Highlights: Australian Open, Stuttgart, US Open Champion – Brisbane, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, Olympics, Singapore RU
Best Major Result: Winner (Australian Open, US Open)

2016 was all about Angelique, as the German star rose up from No.10 in the world to capture a pair of Grand Slam titles and finish the year atop the WTA rankings. Hard to believe just 12 months ago.

“To win two [majors] right now and to be in one final at Wimbledon, that means to me everything,” she told WTA Insider in her Champions Corner interview in Flushing.

“To then be No.1, what I was always dreaming when I was a kid, that shows me I played a really consistent year. To be No.1 you have to play great, not one day or one week, you have to play very well a few months, and this is also incredible to me.”

A surprise finalist in Melbourne, Kerber stunned then-World No.1 Serena Williams, keeping the American from tying idol Stefanie Graf’s 22 major titles. She maintained a high level all year, reaching finals on all surfaces and winning silver at the Olympic tennis event in Rio.

“I’m feeling much more confident now in my skin and how I am. I think it’s because of my experience I know what’s happened, I know how to deal with pressure, how to deal with the things I have to do off court. That’s what gives me the confidence to dress up, speak, work, being how I am.

“Of course it takes a little while to get where I am, and it was really tough but really good.”

Looking into 2017, Kerber has to hit the ground running as top seed in Brisbane, the tournament where it all began last year. She’ll also have a Grand Slam title to defend right out the gate, but she and coach Torben Beltz were eager to kep working in the off-season, and do what needs to be done to extend her reign at the top of women’s tennis.

“I’m playing the best tennis in my career, but I’m trying to be better and better. I’m trying to motivate myself to be better in my matches and in practice. I will try to still play my best tennis in the next months.”