With the annual Asian Swing underway in professional tennis, many of the sport's top stars are making their way to China for events like the Zhengzhou Open in the capital of Henan Province. That list includes three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber of Germany, who sat down to discuss her season and career with CGTN in this year's first installment of Sports Scene's special series "Beyond The Baseline.” 

The 31-year-old former World Number 1 has not been able to reach her previous heights in 2019, with her position in the rankings falling to 15th. Her most recent major title came at Wimbledon last season, following victories at the Australian and US Opens in 2016, but those successes have proven tough to repeat with a number of talented youngsters breaking through on the WTA Tour. 

"It is really competitive, especially right now, I mean you know that you have to play your best tennis starting from the first round," said Kerber. "A lot of young players are coming and you know that you have to improve yourself, your tennis, your fitness. So it's just the whole thing. It's a process and you have to deal with everything right now, but it is also a big challenge, and a big chance for a lot of players.” 

The German adds that she is focused on producing a strong finish to the season, which will conclude with the WTA Finals being held in November in the Chinese city of Shenzhen for the first time ever. She would need to improve her ranking to at least eighth to qualify, and while some fans and critics have opined that she should turn her attention to next year, the Bremen native is staying in the moment. 

"I'm not thinking too much ahead to 2020 right now. I know how it is to be on top, I know how it is to (come) back even stronger, and it's just something which for me is always important," Kerber said. "To believe still in yourself, and to (come) back to take on all the challenges, and for me it's important now to finish the year as good as I can and then (think) about next year." 

The World Number 15 adds that she doesn't pay much attention to scrutiny from the media when things aren't going as well as she prefers and focuses instead on trying to learn and improve, no matter how well she does on the court. Kerber also addressed persistent speculation that she might change coaches by saying this season is nearly over and there will be time to address such considerations later.