Kerber delight at winning WTA Jerry Diamond Aces award

Angelique Kerber has spoken of her honor and delight at being given the Jerry Diamond ACES Award for 2017, in reognition of her off-court work and efforts to promote the sport.

Earning the ACES award for the first time in her career, Kerber participated in numerous kids' clinics, charitable activities and fan-friendly events throughout the globe to help bring the game closer to the community.

"I’m very honored to receive the award by the WTA this year," the 29-year-old wrote on social media. "It’s a privilege to be part of this exciting tennis world that connects people all over the world with the same passion for the game. I’ve been on the tour many years now and it is still magical for me to see all the fans that come to the tournaments every week to support us! It’s the ultimate motivation and I'm very grateful to experience this."

The Jerry Diamond ACES award was first introduced in 1995, in memory of the former WTA CEO. The award is presented to the player who consistently goes above and beyond in promoting the sport of women's tennis to fans, media, and local communities by performing off-court promotional and charitable activities.

Kerber is the first German to win the award and follows recent winners Petra Kvitova, Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep. The first winner, 22 years ago, was Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. Multiple-time winners include Wozniacki, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Victoria Azarenka and Anastasia Myskina.