Kerber names comeback 'the biggest challenge of my career'

Former world number one and three-time grand slam winner Angelique Kerber has named her upcoming comeback to tennis from maternity leave "the biggest challenge of my career," reported dpa.

Germany's Kerber, 35, gave birth in February and plans to return when the new season starts at the end of the year in Australia at the United Cup.

"I can already feel the anticipation of being back on court in Australia soon. I realise that coming back will probably be the biggest challenge of my career, but that spurs me on," Kerber told the homepage of the Bad Homburg tournament for which she is an ambassador.

"The love of tennis is something that has always motivated me. That's what motivates me, nothing has changed. And also the reason why I want to come back - to have that feeling on the court again, with all the emotions and fans in the stadium."

Germany's Kerber has not played since the summer of 2022 and acknowledged that she won't taste instant success again.

"Of course I have to be realistic and give myself time to get back into it after the long break without matches. A lot of things will certainly be different when I return, not least because of my role as a mother, but I want to try everything and take on the challenge," she said.

Kerber named the Australian Open in January, where she won her first grand slam title in 2016, a first highlight. This will be followed by a busy summer including Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, having won Wimbledon in 2018 and Olympic silver in 2016.

She said that training is going according to plan but that it "cannot be compared to matches under competitive conditions. I'm also realistic: I'm still at the beginning with my team.

"We still have a bit of time left. I think I'll be ready for the first matches when we fly to Australia after Christmas."