TheSportsCampus

It's something from which Angelique Kerber has always dreamed – a win against the Pole Agnieszka Radwanska and the 24-year-old Porsche Team Germany player will be the first German to reach the Wimbledon final since Steffi Graf in 1999. Barbara Rittner is confident she'll succeed. "Angie is playing unbelievably good tennis here," said the national coach and Porsche Team Germany captain. "I definitely believe she'll do it."

Barbara, what was going on in your mind when watching the dramatic quarterfinal between Angelique Kerber und Sabine Lisicki?

"I didn't watch it live but in front of a TV. And I was jumping up and down every now and again. For me it was terrible watching. I felt for both of them. The match had everything. It was a great advertisement for women's tennis. And such a pity that one had to lose in the end."

What turned it around in Angelique Kerber favour?

"I think in the end it was simply the luckier (player) that won. In such a tight match, you really can't say that one was better than the other. It was a battle of nerves."

When two of your protégés play each other in an important match, what feelings develop within you as the national coach?

"Obviously, I was delighted that they had got so far and one of them was going to definitely be in the semifinals. On the other hand, both were playing so well that I thought, what a pity that they have to face each other now and not in the semis. One is torn between the two during the match."

Did you console Sabine after the match?

No. After such an unlucky defeat, a player initially needs time for themselves, they need peace and quiet. It was obviously a big disappointment for her being so close to getting to the semifinals and then not to have done it after putting on such an unbelievably good performance."

What are the big strengths of Angelique Kerber?

"Grass really suits her game. Her big strength is her movement. She never loses her balance when hitting the ball. At present she's also got so much confidence that she always makes the right decisions. She hits the right shots at the right moment, moves well and is an unbelievably consistent player. In addition, she hits really incredible balls at moments one never expects."

How far do you think she can go in Wimbledon?

"She beat Agnieszka Radwanska, her opponent in the semifinal, last year at the US Open. Obviously it's now a different game but as I said in the lead-up to the quarterfinals, I definitely feel the winner can get to the final. It would be a big step but I firmly believe Angie will do it."

And what will happen after that?

"No question, she is on the way to breaking into the world's Top 5. As she doesn't have to defend many points up to the US Open, it's quite a realistic target. For her, it's all about bolstering her own belief in her abilities and working hard with her coach, also on the little things. Then she can certainly become a fixture amongst the world's elite."