Next change of coach at kerber: beltz replaces kindlmann

On the hoped-for path to old strength, angelique kerber relies on an old acquaintance.

With coach torben beltz, germany’s best female tennis player wants to build on her most successful period, when the duo won both the australian open and the US open in 2016 and kerber finished the year at number one in the world rankings. Beltz succeeds dieter kindlmann, whom kerber had hired only at the end of last year. This was announced by the management of 32-year-old.

Kerber had ended the cooperation with beltz after some failures in 2017. She then worked with belgian wim fissette, under whom she won her third and so far last grand slam title in 2018 at wimbledon. Nevertheless, kerber parted company with fissette at the end of the year and relied on rainer schuttler from then on. But even with the ex-professional, the collaboration did not last long; after the early end in wimbledon, the duo went their separate ways again.

Kerber played only one tournament under kindlmann, who was highly respected in the industry, because of the corona crisis. At the australian open it was all over in the eighth finals. Kerber then cured an injury to his thigh before the pandemic put a stop to the worldwide tour operation. Recently, statements by kerber had already raised eyebrows that she and kindlmann had not trained together during the entire break.

It is not yet clear when kerber will return to the WTA tour. Lastly, it had left open the possibility of taking part in the US open, should it be held from 31 december. August on to be held in new york. From 3. August is to be played again in palermo. But then still without kerber, who will first train with beltz. The 43-year-old, who had already coached kerber from 2004 to 2013, was last on the road with the croatian donna vekic. He took the 24-year-old to the quarterfinals of last year’s US open.