FORMER World No1 Angelique Kerber will miss out on the US Open starting on Monday after she announced on Twitter that she is pregnant.
The 34-year-old is expecting her first child and will take a short break from tennis.
Angelique Kerber will miss out on the US Open and take a break from tennis after announcing she is pregnant
But it does not mean that she will be retiring.
She said on Twitter: “I really wanted to play the @usopen but eventually I decided that two against one just isn’t a fair competition.
“For the next month, I will take a break from travelling the globe as a tennis player but then again, I believe it’s for the best possible reason.
“The @usopen have 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 you continued support – it means everything to me.”
In 2016, Kerber won the Australian Open and the US Open and then went on to win Wimbledon in 2018.
The last Open that the German took part in was Wimbledon in July, in which she was beaten in the third round by Elise Mertens.
Many female tennis players have gone on to have children and then make a successful return to the sport.
Serena Williams returned to the tour in 2017 after she gave birth to her first daughter and is now aiming to retire after the US Open at 40-years-old.
Four-time grand slam champion Kim Clijsters also made a return to tennis after giving birth and congratulated Kerber over Twitter too.
Kerber did not reveal who the baby’s father is.
Her social media currently shows that she is single, after she ended things with coach Torben Beltz in 2021.
