“In 2011, I had almost turned my back on tennis and given up on my childhood dreams,” Angelique Kerber said last year, looking back at a career that had its fair share of ups and downs. The German never imagined she would continue her career for two decades until she rose to prominence with her first Grand Slam semifinal appearance at Flushing Meadows in 2011. Now, as she reflects, she has every reason to be proud. Three GS titles stand as a testament to Kerber’s incredible journey of more than 20 years. Although she showcased her skills on all surfaces, her dominance on grass courts was truly spectacular. With a staggering 84 wins and just 34 losses on grass, Kerber carved out a legacy that few can match in the modern era. And now, fate has led her to an exciting opportunity at a familiar place. But what could it be?

Kerber’s journey in professional tennis began in 2003, as she made her debut in the qualifiers at her home turf of Berlin. The former No. 1’s WTA main-draw breakthrough came in 2006 at ‘Hasselt’, followed by her first GS main-draw appearance at the prestigious Roland Garros in 2007, the same year she cracked into the Top 100. By the time she concluded her illustrious career last year, Kerber had cemented herself in history, holding the top rank for 34 weeks, including finishing as the year-end at the top in 2016. Her trophy cabinet boasts a staggering 14 WTA singles titles, headlined by three GS triumphs: the 2016 AO, the 2016 US Open, and the 2018 Wimbledon Championships. However, what truly stands out is her legacy on the grass. And guess what? She now has an administrative role at a grass court tournament.

The Tennis Letter shared the news about the former German ace being appointed the tournament director in one of the WTA 500 championships, “Angelique Kerber has been announced as the tournament director for the WTA 500 in Bad Homburg. Can’t keep this lady away from the grass,” the post read.

While the news made waves, Kerber also shared her remarks, stating, “The tournament was a project of the heart for me from the outset. I know what the players need. Some work will be awaiting me.”

Kerber is no stranger to success! Her journey on grass began in 2007 when she reached the third round at the WTA event in Birmingham. Between the years 2011 and 2020, she reigned as the most successful player on grass courts, securing 59 victories: outpacing quality players like Petra Kvitova (51) and 23-time GS champ Serena Williams (48). 

Her career has been marked by consistent improvement, culminating in victories at Birmingham and, subsequently, Bad Homburg, where she served as a tournament ambassador in 2021 before claiming the championship against Katerina Siniakova. And, now, she’s returning to there in a brand-new role: one that allows her to fully embrace the place where she once dominated as a pro.

The German is set to take on a dual leadership role alongside her manager, Aljoscha Thorn, at the recently promoted WTA 500 tournament, which runs from June 21 to 28. But before stepping into this role, Kerber surprised her fans with another major announcement: this time, it was about her personal life.

“Special to arrive in our family” — Angelique Kerber broke her pregnancy news featuring daughter Liana

In 2022, the former German top seed announced her first pregnancy with her partner, Franco Bianco, which led to a long hiatus from professional tennis. The couple welcomed their daughter, Liana, in February 2023, and the German ace spent nearly a year away from the sport before making her much-anticipated comeback in January 2024.

However, she made her return at the United Cup 2024, proudly representing Team Germany alongside current 2nd seed Alexander Zverev and others. The team’s efforts paid off, as they went on to win the tournament. Later, at the Paris Olympics in the City of Love, Kerber put up a strong fight, reaching the QF before bowing out to the eventual gold medalist, Zheng Qinwen. And that was it! She decided to hang her racket.

Now, Kerber has once again delighted her fans with exciting personal news: she is expecting her “second child”! Taking to her IG, the former World No. 1 shared a touching moment, posting a sweet photo of herself with Liana, quoting, “Counting down the days for someone special to arrive in our family.”

So, the former pro has kicked off the 2025 season with two exciting back-to-back announcements: a new leadership role in tennis and the joy of expecting her second child after two years. As she steps into this new chapter, we can only wish her the very best, both in her professional career and in cherishing the beautiful journey of becoming a mother of two. As they say in Germany, Alles Gute!