It isn’t very often that a player works their way to one win from the world No.1 position, losses the match and brushes it aside like any other loss. Then again, Angelique Kerber is far from ordinary and her laid back approach might steer her to the top position sooner rather than later.
Less than a week ago at the Cincinnati Open, the German had the chance to end Serena Williams’ three-year dominance as world No.1. All that was required is for Kerber to defeat 15th seed Karolina Pliskova. Unfortunately the dream failed to occur as she imploded, losing 6-3, 6-1.
The final performance has raised questions about how well Kerber will cope with the pressure at the upcoming US Open, where she could once again have a swing of becoming world No.1, if Williams fails to reach the semifinals at the tournament. It is a daunting prospect, but Kerber is refusing to let the potential milestone affect her approach to the tournament.
“I will not put too much pressure on this,” the 28-year-old told reporters at Flushing Meadows on the eve of the event.
“If the day will come I will reach number one, it would be amazing, but I will not think too much (about it).
“I will try to enjoy every moment right now because it’s one of the best seasons of my career so far.”
It is an admirable perspective from Kerber, who is fixated on the current situation as suppose to what the future holds. It could be argued that given her Cincinnati loss, this isn’t entirely accurate. Nevertheless, it is an approach that is earning the German greater respect on the tour and a growing fan base.
“The pressure, for sure, is maybe a little bit higher, but if I’m not putting the pressure on myself, everything is fine,” she later added about being the second seed in Flushing Meadows.
The Australian Open champion will start her New York campaign against Slovenia’s Polona Hercog in what will be their first meeting for almost five years. This year Kerber is bidding to progress beyond the fourth round at the tournament for the first time since 2011.
