"Patiently waiting" - Angelique Kerber shares beautiful picture from her pregnancy photoshoot as she gears up for birth of first child

Angelique Kerber has shared a beautiful picture from her pregnancy photoshoot with fans on social media.

The German announced her pregnancy in August 2022, and has been on a tennis hiatus ever since. The former World No. 1 last played in the third round of Wimbledon 2022, before opting out of the US Open.

Announcing her pregnancy, Kerber had stated that she would be taking a break from competing and expressed her nervousness and excitement about her upcoming new role as a mother.

“For the next months, I will take a break from traveling the globe as a tennis player but then again, I believe it’s for the best possible reason,” Angelique Kerber said, “Being a professional athlete means everything to me but I’m grateful for the new path I’m heading to. To be honest, I’m nervous and excited at the same time.”

On Monday (February 13), the three-time Grand Slam champion remarked that she was “patiently waiting” for her baby’s birth as she shared a beautiful picture from her pregnancy photoshoot, where she cradled her baby bump.

The 35-year-old, who generally celebrates her birthday during the Australian Open, missed the tournament this time around, but instead shared the first picture flaunting her baby bump on her birthday on January 18.

“It’s probably the first time since I turned 18 that I’m not celebrating in Melbourne,” she said.

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"When I come back, I want to come back 100 percent" - Angelique Kerber on resuming her tennis career

Angelique Kerber defeated Serena Williams to lift the 2018 Wimbledon trophy

Angelique Kerber has had a highly successful tennis career. The German has lifted three Grand Slam titles – the 2016 Australian Open and US Open, as well as the 2018 Wimbledon. She has also held the World No. 1 spot for as many as 34 weeks.

The 35-year-old, however, earlier stated that she wouldn’t rush into making a comeback on the tennis courts after the birth of her first child. She further stated that she will only do so in the right moment, when she feels 100% fit.

“I don’t know what time or which tournament because I really want to take the time,” Angelique Kerber said. “And when I come back, I want to come back 100 percent, fit again and feel good. This is the plan.”

Kerber, however, expressed that she was looking forward to resuming her career on a strong note and being an inspiration to new mothers.

"We see that moms can come back, also winning big titles. And I hope I can be one of them too, as well as an inspiration for new moms and women to get back to doing their business," she expressed.