Winning her first Grand Slam at 28, Angelique Kerber is an example of a talented later bloomer in tennis. The former World No. 1 German player is known for her defensive tactics, speed, and footwork. She blamed a 2-week COVID-related quarantine for her loss at the 2021 Australian Open.
Monika Dannemann was a German painter and figure skater whose professional achievements were overshadowed by her relationship with legendary guitar player Jimi Hendrix; she is often referred to as the last girlfriend of Jimi Hendrix. A year before her death, Monika Dannemann published a book titled The Inner World of Jimi Hendrix.
Sabine Lisicki is a German tennis player who won the 2009 Family Circle Cup. In 2011, Lisicki made it to the semifinals of Wimbledon, becoming only the second female player to do so in Wimbledon history after entering the tournament as a wildcard. Lisicki is renowned for her powerful backhand and forehand. However, her career has been plagued by injuries.
German racing driver Sophia Flörsch is also skilled in activities such as karting, wind surfing, and skiing. She now competes for Abt Sportsline and the Richard Mille Racing Team. In 2020, she received the Laureus Comeback of the Year award for surviving a deadly accident on track and a spinal surgery.
Julia Görges is a retired tennis player who won five doubles and seven singles titles on the WTA Tour. She also won six doubles and six singles titles on the ITF Circuit. Görges had more Grand Slam success in doubles, reaching the semifinals three times. She also reached the finals of the 2014 French Open in the mixed doubles event.
Andrea Petkovic is a German tennis player who has won seven WTA Tour singles titles in her career so far. She helped Germany reach the finals of the 2014 Fed Cup; the first Fed Cup finals for Germany since 1992. In 2011, Andrea Petkovic became the first German female player to be ranked inside the top 10 since 1999.
Laura Siegemund is a German tennis player who has won six doubles and two singles titles on the WTA Tour so far. She has also won 20 doubles and 12 singles titles on the ITF Circuit. Laura Siegemund has won two Grand Slams; the 2016 US Open mixed doubles title and the 2020 US Open doubles.
Also known as the Killer Queen, American-German boxer Susi Kentikian has been a flyweight world champion twice. Born in the Armenian SSR she left the country with her parents at 5, in the midst of a war. At 5’ 1”, she was also initially tagged as Germany’s shortest professional boxer.