Tennis News

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.”

MADRID, Spain – Dominika Cibulkova marked her 27th birthday with a brilliant display against qualifier Louisa Chirico in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Madrid right here on wtatennis.com!

Midday showers in the Spanish capital forced the roof to be shut on Manolo Santana and Cibulkova found the change much to her liking. While Chirico was getting used the unfamiliar conditions, Cibulkova was busy building a lead.

In Chirico’s first service game, the Slovak earned an immediate break point, which she converted when she skipped around to crack a fizzing forehand. She soon stretched her advantage to 5-0 and while the American belatedly got on the scoreboard, it was too little too late, Cibulkova closing out the set with a delicate drop shot.

The second set was a similar story, Cibulkova embroidering a heavy-duty baseline assault with some feathery touches around the net. As the on-court clock approached the hour mark she arrived at match point, rounding off the 6-1, 6-1 triumph by thumping a 24th winner past the helpless Chirico.

Considering the one-sided nature of the encounter, Cibulkova was surprisingly emotional as she saluted her camp: “Of course I’m always more emotional when I win. Even during the match. So it’s part of me. But I was really, really happy, because today’s match was not easy. I made it look easy.

“But I was playing just really well. I was dominating on the court and I was mentally very strong.”

This strength has been on full display this week, the former Australian Open finalist coming through a series of grueling encounters.

“I started today’s match in the best way – I was really aggressive,” she added. “I know what I want to play and I was just going for it. I didn’t wait what’s going to happen on the court.

“I really know the beginning will be really important because she’s new in this situation, so I want to take advantage of it, to be ready for it. That’s what I did perfectly. You know, even I had some chances today, I was just really, really solid. I had my plan and I was really doing what I had to do.”

Cibulkova has never previously reached the final of a Premier Mandatory event, and there she will face either Simona Halep or Samantha Stosur.

“We’ll see. This is the best way. I know I’m in the finals and the opponent is going to play so I can watch them a little bit. Either way I don’t like to choose opponent. It’s going to be whoever plays better tonight.

“I’m just ready. I’m playing good tennis and I want to keep going and playing this way. Doesn’t matter who’s on the other side.”

.@Cibulkova gets an unexpected birthday present during her press conference… #MMOPEN https://t.co/YmmopMRNtG

— Mutua Madrid Open (@MutuaMadridOpen) 6 May 2016

Elina Svitolina enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2016, knocking out two reigning World No.1s and reaching the final of the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai. But before playing her first match of the new year at the Brisbane International, the Ukrainian youngster tried out a brand new sport with a little help from the Brisbane Heat.

Well if tennis doesn't work out for you @ElinaSvitolina, maybe ??#BrisbaneTennis #BBL06 pic.twitter.com/4hnn4xvz8z

— #BrisbaneTennis (@BrisbaneTennis) December 30, 2016

Svitolina suited up to play cricket for the first time before turning the tables on the Heat, trading in the paddle for her racquet to serve at one of her temporary teammates.

First Ukrainian cricketer ?! Thanks @HeatBBL for having me ?? good luck tonight pic.twitter.com/t9xtj2S3cZ

— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) December 30, 2016

Check out the video from her exciting afternoon before the No.6 seed takes on Shelby Rogers in her second round match in Brisbane.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – World No.2 Serena Williams won five straight games en route to her first match win since September, defeating French veteran Pauline Parmentier, 6-3, 6-4, to advance into the second round of the ASB Classic.

Relive the match as it happened on the WTA Insider Live Blog!

“It’s my first match back in serveral months and I was playing a really good player today,” she said during her on-court interview.

“COME ON!”

Yup, @SerenaWilliams is back! ✊ pic.twitter.com/w05QPuTfGh

— WTA (@WTA) January 2, 2017

“This wind was really getting to me! This whole week I practiced with no wind, but today it was so windy.

“But it was fun…well, it wasn’t fun, but it was interesting!”

Serena was forced to miss much of the second half of 2016 due to injury – though she still managed to tie Stefanie Graf’s Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon – and hadn’t been on court since the US Open.

Overcoming a slow start, the American recovered from a 1-3 deficit to take the first set, and fought off three break points in the middle of the second to seal victory in one hour and 15 minutes.

Sneaky drop shot from @SerenaWilliams! ? #ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/gPh0vy80ld

— WTA (@WTA) January 2, 2017

“I’m feeling like I’m trying to get out there, and that every match counts. I’ve never played in front of you guys so this is really special for my career. I’ve never been here, so thanks for making me feel so welcome.”

Up next for Serena is either Madison Brengle or qualifier Jamie Loeb, two Americans who could face the top seed.

She’s back!@SerenaWilliams beats Parmentier 6-3, 6-4 in @ASB_Classic First round! pic.twitter.com/gLufwPcT5z

— WTA (@WTA) January 3, 2017