For the first time since early 2013 there is a genuine tussle at the summit of the WTA rankings. Serena Williams has been the dominant force for an almost record-breaking period of time. Angelique Kerber though, is on the brink of carving a new name into the history books.
The German is on the cusp of wrestling the number one spot from Williams’ grasp. One opportunity has already gone begging though. Angelique Kerber was a single victory away from becoming the first German since Steffi Graff to sit on top of the world. Instead, she found herself on the wrong end of a 6-3 6-1 scoreline dished out by the big-serving Czech, Karolina Pliskova, in the final of the Southern and Western Open in Cincinnati.
Serena Williams versus Angelique Kerber
Next week’s US Open gives Angelique Kerber her second bite at the cherry. With just 190 points separating the two best players in the world, there is plenty to play for. Kerber may have a deficit but has less points to defend following last year’s third round defeat to Victoria Azarenka. Meanwhile, Serena Williams made it to the semi-finals before being famously shocked by Roberta Vinci.
There are a handful of tasty sub-plots to the Williams versus Kerber storyline at Flushing Meadows. Firstly, Serena Williams is looking to win a 23rd Grand Slam which will take her within one of Margaret Court’s record. Furthermore, she is looking to overtake Steffi Graf’s record for consecutive weeks at number one. She is guaranteed to tie the German’s 186 week record and will surpass it if she is still #1 following the US Open.
No doubt Williams will be hounded by journalists reminding her of these records. That may be the least of her worries. There are undoubtedly question marks over Serena’s physical fitness after her loss in Rio and subsequent withdrawal from Cincinnati. A shoulder injury is the cause. Emotionally there is baggage from her 2015 Flushing Meadows anguish, where the weight of expectation told in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile Kerber – still new to the very highest echelons of the game – has to deal with the pressure of knowing that the top spot is within her grasp. How will she cope knowing that she has already fallen at the first time of asking? She showed her mental fortitude in defeating Serena Williams in the final of the Australian Open. Recently though she has suffered defeats in the finals of Wimbledon, Rio and Cincinnati.
“I had such a great year so far and it’s not over yet.”
Throughout the week in Cincinnati, Kerber was frequently asked about the number one spot being up for grabs.
“You know, I was not thinking of this at all,” Kerber said when asked about whether she was thinking about being world number one before her final. “One week ago it happens here because I play well and Serena withdraw also. You know, everybody is talking about this.
“Of course, I mean, if someday it happens, it happens, but I will not be making too much pressure on this. I had such a great year so far and it’s not over yet.”
These comments, and her comments in the past suggest that sealing the #1 ranking may not be her ultimate driving force. It would, however, help cement her standing in tennis history. Were she to reach #1 she will become the oldest debut number one in the Open Era.
Kerber sealing the top spot would somewhat mark the beginning of a new era. She counteracts the trend of number ones who have reached the summit early in their career before suffering a fall from grace. Think Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic. Instead she is the beacon for a career based around progressive improvement. Not challenging for Grand Slams as a teenager, Kerber has instead taken the time to develop and understand the strengths and weaknesses of her game, adapting accordingly.
Her style and progression truly mirror the direction the WTA Tour is heading. Her style is abrasive. She grinds from the back of the court, delicately balancing a mixture of speed, agility, defence and spin. Most importantly though is that there are sure-fire signs of consistency. This is a necessary but rare component to achieve lasting success on the WTA Tour.
Angelique Kerber’s legacy
Angelique Kerber will need that consistency if she does emerge from the US Open as the world number one. Serena Williams has no more points to defend this year whilst Kerber does. The German will then have to do her best to defend the 2,000 points gained from her Australian Open triumph. She will have a real fight on her hands to remain on top should she make it.
The difficulty for Kerber in terms of creating a lasting legacy is that she is limited in a few capacities. It will probably change but so far she has just the one Grand Slam to her name. To be remembered as a tennis legend you must have a more jam-packed trophy cabinet. Kerber has time to address this, being just 28 years old.
Alongside that, she has not been a household name throughout the younger years of her career. Aside from Serena Williams, the most globally recognisable female tennis stars were those that shone brightest in their early years on tour. Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka stand testament to this.
Reaching world number one may not be overwhelmingly important to Kerber but it would be for the landscape of the WTA Tour. To be the person to end the Serena Williams era of dominance will preserve her place in the history books. However, to achieve a truly individual legacy rather than be a footnote in someone else’s she is going to need to pocket a few more Grand Slam titles.
