Andrea Petkovic has demanded that more action needs to be taken if Tennis wants to tackle racism successfully.
The German who is currently injured and is a part-time host for ZDF Sport has spoken about the need for tennis to take stronger action against Racism.
Speaking of her own experiences and background, Petkovic has urged the need for tennis to speak out on these issues more regularly, “We, in particular, as athletes who play abroad, get to know foreign cultures,” Petkovic said in an interview with Sueddeutsche.
“We are seen as role models and we should position ourselves against racism again and again. I myself am the daughter of a migrant family who came to Germany from the former Yugoslavia and was warmly welcomed here. Germany made this success possible for me, without the support of the German Tennis Association I would never have made it this far.
“It makes me sad to see how things are developing, that the voices are getting louder from the right. However, a large majority in Germany are still resisting it.”
As her tennis career soon reaches its climax, Petkovic is starting to speak out on more sporting issues therefore putting pressure on tennis authorities to listen on these issues from a different perspective.
At the moment the German just had knee surgery, ruling her out of Indian Wells, and the 32 year-old admits her schedule will be lighter as the years go by, “I definitely want to play this year and maybe add the Australian Open 2021 to it. There won’t be that many tournaments. I listen to my body.”
The world number 80 will look to be fit for the WTA tournament in Stuttgart, which starts on the 20th of April.
