No superstar status for world new No 1

BERLIN - Golfer Martin Kaymer looks to have the same drive, determination and mental strength as former tennis champions Steffi Graf, Boris Becker and seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.

But unlike his fellow German athletes, Kaymer's own rise to the top of his sport, before he took over as world No 1 from Britain Lee Westwood on Monday, has largely gone unnoticed in his home country.

Whereas Becker, Graf and Schumacher captivated Germans with their exploits on the courts and the racing tracks, boosting their sports' popularity to new heights, Kaymer has quietly risen up the rankings, enjoying only occasional coverage.