In Pictures: Angelique Kerber and Ana Ivanovic grace cover of Freundin magazine

“The latest issue of the German magazine Freundin featured Angelique Kerber and Ana Ivanovic on its cover.”

Despite being fierce competitors, Kerber and Ivanovic shared a strong friendship both on and off the court. Their bond was not only based on their rivalry, but also on their shared experiences of achieving Grand Slam success.

Kerber has an outstanding record of winning three Majors, including the 2016 Australian Open, 2016 US Open, and Wimbledon 2018. It is worth mentioning that she achieved each victory by defeating the legendary Serena Williams. On the other hand, Ivanovic, who retired in 2016, achieved her first and only Grand Slam title at the 2008 French Open by defeating Dinara Safina.

The pair recently got back together for a photoshoot for the cover of Freundin magazine. On April 3, Kerber posted the photo on her Instagram account with a caption that read:

“Reunion 👯‍♀️😍 @anaivanovic.”

In a video shared by the German magazine’s Instagram handle, Angelique Kerber and Ana Ivanovic were caught in a spontaneous conversation. The German player inquired about her friend’s perspective on her qualities that she may have overlooked.

The Serb responded with a smile:

“I think, you don’t maybe see how good and beautiful inside you are and sometimes you are too hard on yourself.”

Ivanovic inquired which sport Kerber wouldn’t want to go up against her in. In reply, the 36-year-old stressed that it’s always preferable to be on the same team as the Serb, playing alongside her, instead of facing her in competition.

“So, tennis, for sure is the toughest sport to compete with you. I think it doesn’t matter which sport. I think it’s better to be on your side and to play with you,”Kerber said.

Kerber and Ivanovic have faced each other seven times on the WTA Tour, with Ivanovic holding a 5-2 lead in their head-to-head record.

In 2006, Ivanovic defeated her opponent in three sets during their first encounter in the fourth round in Hasselt. They faced each other again in 2014 at the semifinals of the Pan Pacific Open, with the former French Open champion once again emerging as the winner.

Angelique Kerber’s 2019 Season: A Rollercoaster of Inconsistency

In 2024, Angelique Kerber returned to the world of tennis with a bang, claiming victory for her home country of Germany in the United Cup. This remarkable comeback came after taking a break from the sport to give birth to her daughter, Liana, on February 25, 2023.

Despite facing early exits at both the Australian Open and the Linz Open, Kerber was able to reach the fourth round of Indian Wells, where she was defeated by her close friend Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets.

At the Miami Open, the German faced a setback after losing 2-6, 3-6 to Sloane Stephens in the first round.