"The focus is no longer completely on me": Angelique Kerber's mindset changes to balance motherhood and tennis on tour return

Angelique Kerber will resume her comeback to tennis on Tuesday evening when she takes on Lucia Bronzetti in the opening round of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz with Elise Mertens potentially awaiting in the second round.

But the former World No.1 and multiple Grand Slam champion has a new focus in her return to tennis which hinges on being a new mother and how her mindset to the sport has now changed. Gone are the days of expecting to be at the top of the game and she finds it refreshing that the focus goes from just being on her and looking after her own interests to having her daughter in tow.

Thankfully though for Kerber, she admits that her newborn isn't that much of an issue when it comes to travelling and is very relaxed which makes her life a lot easier in bringing her to tournaments even at a young age.

"I don’t have too many expectations as I don’t know what I’m going to have to cope with. I have to say the little one is actually very relaxed. I’m very lucky. Travelling doesn’t seem to worry her. Naturally the daily schedule is different," said Kerber.

"On the one hand, I have to concentrate on my job and on the other, the focus is totally different. It’s not like I am alone on the Tour anymore as there’s somebody else at my side. The focus is no longer completely on me. It’s on my daughter. And it's a nice situation to be in."