Ten Years After Kerber's Victory: Germans Out Early in Melbourne - Germany’s women’s tennis team crashes out early at Australian Open
Germany’s women’s tennis team suffered an early exit at this year’s Australian Open. All players were eliminated by the second round, marking a sharp contrast to the country’s past success. Torben Beltz, the Fed Cup captain and former coach of Angelique Kerber, admitted his disappointment at the team’s performance.
The tournament began poorly for Germany, with Eva Lys, Tatjana Maria, and Ella Seidel all losing in the first round. Eva Lys, once a standout in 2023 after reaching the fourth round, fell in her opener this time. Laura Siegemund, the last German remaining, was defeated in the second round by Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis, ending Germany’s campaign.
Beltz reflected on the team’s struggles, noting that the current squad lacks the depth of Kerber’s era. In 2016, Kerber made history by defeating Serena Williams to claim her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open—a moment Beltz witnessed as her coach. Now, the focus shifts to younger talents like Lys and Seidel, who show promise but still need time to develop.
Looking ahead, Beltz hopes for improvement at the French Open in May. However, he acknowledges that a return to Germany’s former dominance remains far off. The immediate future rests on Eva Lys, the nation’s top-ranked player, as the most likely candidate to lead the next generation.
Germany’s women’s team leaves Melbourne with no players advancing past the second round. The gap between emerging talents and Grand Slam readiness remains clear. For now, the country’s tennis hopes rely on the gradual rise of its youngest stars.
