Angelique Kerber has long admired her countrywoman Steffi Graf; now she has a chance to emulate her idol.
Having progressed to the Wimbledon final for the first time in her career, the timing is arguably perfect for Kerber, with a neat 20 years passing since the German won the last of seven singles titles at The Championships.
“I watched a lot of Wimbledon finals from her. I mean, yeah, I know that 20 years ago she won here the last time,” said Kerber, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Venus Williams in a swift semi-final.
“Of course, I will try to be the next (German) to win here after Steffi.”
Facing Serena Williams in the final on Saturday creates another synergy of sorts. Serena, of course, is aiming to equal the Open Era-record 22 majors that Graf amassed – a quest that Kerber memorably stopped in the final of the 2016 Australian Open.
The win in Melbourne made Kerber the first German woman since Graf to claim a Grand Slam singles title, and she still credits her older countrywoman for providing the inspiration.
“She was always an idol for me. I was always watching a lot of matches, also on YouTube sometimes. But, yeah, I mean, she was one of the best players in the world. She won so many Grand Slams,” said the left-hander.
“I met her a few times. She's a great person. When you hit with her, she's still playing really well. Of course, when you talk with her, it's always a great honour to speak with her.”
Among the many lessons that Graf helped instil was the importance of Kerber’s self-belief. “Actually, she just told me the last time that I'm on a good way, just believe in yourself, practise hard," she related.
Even so, the 28-year-old also admits she can be overwhelmed by a big occasion. Despite progressing to the final without the loss of a set at The Championships, Kerber admitted to some nerves as she faced Venus for the sixth time in the semi-finals.
“Of course, I have much more experience right now. It was not my first semi-final in a Grand Slam. But still, Wimbledon is always special,” she said.
“So this is why I was a little bit nervous when I went there because I know that I have to play good tennis against Venus. She played a lot of good matches here. So that's why I think I was a little bit nervous at the beginning.”
If there’s a confidence for Kerber, it’s a quiet one, the German noting that the victory she achieved over Serena at the Australian Open isn’t necessarily the most reliable guide.
“I think for sure I will go out there with a lot of confidence (but) at the end it's a completely new match. We are playing on a grass court. She lost the final against me, and I know she will go out and try everything to beat me right now,” said the German who noted that her serve, return of serve and movement will all be critical to another successful outing against Serena.
It helps that Kerber is a more experienced competitor now and following her first round loss at the French Open, she’s more adept at managing the expectations that follow Grand Slam success.
“In Paris, it was actually too much pressure that I put on myself. I learned from everything,” said Kerber, who is feeling a lot like she did at the Australian Open. “That's why here I'm feeling, yeah, more relaxed and I'm not making things too complicated ... I think this is the key.”
It’s the perfect attitude as Kerber further aims to even the balance against Serena, who leads their head-to-head match record 5-2.
“I will just try to go out there like in Australia, trying to show her, okay, I'm here to win the match, as well,” she said. “I know that I have to play my best tennis to beat her in the final here.”
It’s likely that the amiable Kerber will have many powerful supporters to that end. Twenty years since her own history-making run at The Championships, Steffi Graf will almost certainly be watching from afar.