Angelique Kerber’s New York Story Started With a Rolex and a Run She Never Expected

Ten years after Angelique Kerber lifted the US Open trophy, she returned to New York with Rolex and a story that stretches back even further — to a moment when she wasn’t sure how much longer she would be playing professional tennis.

Florida Tennis joined Kerber at the Rolex Media Breakfast during the 2026 US Open, where the three-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 looked back on the tournament that changed the trajectory of her career — twice.

The first turning point came in 2011. Kerber arrived in New York ranked No. 92 in the world and, as she revealed at the breakfast, had been considering walking away from the game.

Then she caught fire.

Photo credit: © Rolex/Chris Trotman.

“I came to the US Open in 2011 ranked 92 in the world – which means I was one of the lowest ranked players in the main draw – and before that I was actually considering stopping,” Kerber said. “Then I came to New York and played some of my best tennis. I reached the semi-final and nobody expected it.”

Her reward included something she had wanted for years.

“I had always dreamt of wearing a Datejust so after the tournament I went to Fifth Avenue and bought myself one,” she said. “I remember that day like yesterday.”

Six years later, Kerber became a Rolex Testimonee. Next year will mark a decade with the brand.

New York delivered an even bigger moment in 2016.

Photo credit: © Rolex/Jon Buckle.

Kerber arrived at that US Open in the middle of an extraordinary season. She had already won the Australian Open and reached the Wimbledon final. In Flushing Meadows, she captured her second major of the year and became the world’s No. 1-ranked player.

“It feels like yesterday that I won here, but yes, it’s now 10 years since my US Open title,” Kerber said. “It’s crazy being back, reliving the memories – it feels great.”

Her reflections at the Rolex breakfast also offered a revealing look at just how fragile a championship season can be. Kerber began 2016 by facing match point in the opening round of the Australian Open.

“I don’t know how I won the match, but you can see how close the difference is between winning and losing matches,” she said. “And that was just one point and then you win a match, and then two weeks later, I had won my first Grand Slam tournament.”

Photo credit: © Rolex/Alexandre de Brabant.

Kerber sees those trophies as the product of something much bigger than two great weeks.

“I always said that Grand Slam tournaments aren’t won in two weeks, they are won in the years of practice you commit to,” she said. “It was not just two weeks of work, it was actually like 15 years. The hard work eventually pays off.”

Now retired from the tour, Kerber remains in tennis as tournament director of the WTA 500 event in Bad Homburg, Germany. She told the media gathering that the role has given her a new appreciation for what happens behind the scenes.

“A lot goes into making a great tournament,” Kerber said. “It’s not only one week of work, it’s 12 months of work and planning, trying to improve the event for the fans and players.”

For all the trophies, rankings and milestones, her New York memories still seem remarkably tangible: an unexpected semifinal run, a walk down Fifth Avenue and the watch she bought to mark the moment.

Fifteen years later, Kerber came back to the US Open with Rolex and remembered exactly where it all began.

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By Florida Tennis Staff. Source: Rolex. Photo credit (top): © Rolex/Jon Buckle.

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