Angelique Kerber announcement stuns tennis world ahead of US Open
German tennis champion Angelique Kerber has announced she is pregnant and will therefore miss the upcoming US Open.
The three-time grand slam champion revealed the news on social media on Wednesday, saying she didn't think two against one would be fair to her opponents.
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"I really wanted to play the US Open but eventually I decided that two against one just isn‘t a fair competition," she wrote.
"For the next months, I will take a break from traveling the globe as a tennis player but then again, I believe it’s for the best possible reason. I will miss all of you.
"New York has often been a turning point in my career and it feels like this year will be no different in some way!
"From restarting my career in 2011 to winning the title in 2016 and becoming #1 in the world… the US Open has a special place in my heart and I wish I could have said goodbye to all of you on court before not being around on tour for a while.
"Being a professional athlete means everything to me but I’m grateful for the new path I’m heading to. To be honest, I’m nervous and excited at the same time. Thanks for your continued support - it means everything to me."
Tennis world reacts to Angelique Kerber news
The 34-year-old won the US Open title at Flushing Meadows in 2016 to rise to World No.1 in the WTA rankings.
She also won the Australian Open that year and added the Wimbledon title in 2018, famously beating Serena Williams in the final.
She hasn’t competed on tour since a third-round loss at Wimbledon in July, with her current ranking sitting at 52nd in the world.
"We are all so happy for you," Agnieszka Radwańska wrote on Instagram.
Dominika Cibulkova commented: "omg congratulatioooons! soooooo happy for you dear, now on some 'mamas' talk."
Sorana Cirstea wrote: "You can't imagine how happy i am for you. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart! I miss you and i will see you soon."
While the official Wimbledon account added: "Congratulations, champ."
According to German publication BILD, the father of Kerber's baby is boyfriend Franco Bianco.
Bianco is an entrepreneur, fitness economist, and managing director of the 'Konigstein im Taunus' sports company.
He was spotted on the court with Kerber during practice sessions at the Australian Open in January, as well as watching her matches from the stands.
The US Open starts on August 29.
2016 #USOpen champ Angelique Kerber the latest women’s tennis star to step away from tennis due to pregnancy: https://t.co/U5l3UGPTd4
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 24, 2022
Angelique Kerber got a good reason to skip this year's US Open: she's expecting a baby! 🥰 https://t.co/a4XPmWoO6V
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) August 24, 2022
Congratulations to former World No.1, 3-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber 😍
We wish to see her and her baby healthy after some months and hope she will comeback stronger as a mother 💪#AngeliqueKerber #Pregnant #Tennis pic.twitter.com/zPWYI7Se6D— Sportskeeda Tennis (@SK__Tennis) August 24, 2022
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