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Laura Siegemund at the French Open: With painkillers, an iron will and creativity

Laura Siegemund wanted to make the most of the crazy year 2020 - and she keeps her word. In Roland Garros she is in the round of 16, and that doesn't have to end there.

by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Oct 04, 2020, 06:06 pm

Laura Siegemund
© Getty Images
Laura Siegemund

When Laura Siegemund recently thought about 2020 in a quiet hour, she came to an obvious conclusion: “It's a strange year. It's been a strange year. A year with a lot of confusion. ”Siegemund, of course, also suffered from the great standstill, the inability to do nothing in the meantime, the doubts about how things would go on with their work. And what twists and turns the global health crisis could bring. In the end, however, she swore to herself one thing, and then she was quite simply true to herself: "You have to make the best, the best of the situation."

Many in the tennis circus manage to make their way through the torso series rather poorly than well, and many do not get up to speed after starting again. Many, which became clear at the US Open as well as at the French Open, have already written off the year internally and are putting off until 2021. Laura Siegemund, however, never left the impression of wanting to waste time and opportunities. In the big corona mess, she has long since become one of the big winners, only as a proud double winner in New York.

Siegemund in Roland Garros: "Absolutely even more in it"

And now, at the French Open, as the new round of 16, she has arrived in this exclusive territory for the first time in her career. “It's a good feeling,” said Siegemund, who knocked out number 13 seed Patra Martic on Saturday in the third round with 6: 7 (5: 7), 6: 3 and 6: 0. Even against the Spaniard Paula Gadosa Siegemund's successful solo mission under the Eiffel Tower could continue, because there was “absolutely more in it” for the 32-year-old Swabian, said DTB woman boss Barbara Rittner at Eurosport.

Siegemund has been struggling with back pain for a while after grueling weeks of tennis, challenging both mind and body. Their double guest appearance with Vera Zvonereva therefore came to a rough end in Paris, the US Open winning duo had to give up in the second round. As a lone fighter, the ambitious Metzinger continues to be somewhat relentless. With pain pills, an iron will and her usual tactical creativity on the court, she made the highly respectable first knockout round debut - a woman who, in case of doubt, can make the seemingly impossible possible. Against Martin, she had to be treated for a long time on the court in the first round, but then managed the not necessarily expected comeback after 0: 1 set deficit.

It probably won't get any better with your back at the French Open, says Siegemund, you just have to "just get through it somehow." She wants to continue to use her chances energetically and efficiently, after all, she is in the general confusion after the Corona break “A lot in it.” The pecking order is “a bit mixed up”, everything is “a bit confusing.” She is the woman of the hour in German tennis, in the here and now of the extraordinary autumn 2020. And she would also like to be the center of attention Stay a little longer, but above all here and now in Paris.

rg2020

by Jörg Allmeroth

Sunday
Oct 04, 2020, 07:10 pm
last edit: Oct 04, 2020, 06:06 pm