02 July,2017 11:03 AM IST | London | AFP
World No. 1 Angelique Kerber admits Serena Williams' absence from Wimbledon gives her a chance to make amends for last year's final misery
World No. 1 Angelique Kerber admits Serena Williams' absence from Wimbledon gives her a chance to make amends for last year's final misery.
Kerber was denied a first Wimbledon title by Williams 12 months ago as the American star beat the German in straight sets.
But Williams won't be able to defend the trophy after taking the rest of the year off as she prepares to give birth to her first child.
Not having to deal with the seven-time Wimbledon winner or the injured Maria Sharapova is a major boost to the collection of players, headed by Kerber, hoping to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish for the first time.
"Of course it's different if Serena is not here. We will see. Everything is possible in two weeks," Kerber told reporters at Wimbledon on Saturday.
"There are so many good players right now, so I will not put the pressure on my side. "There are so many good ones, they can play, they can win tournaments, as well."
To win the title, Kerber needs to improve dramatically after making unwanted history when her defeat against Ekaterina Makarova made her the first top-ranked woman in the Open era to fall in the opening round at Roland Garros. Kerber has yet to claim a single WTA title in 2017.
