Tatjana Maria’s Remarkable Comeback
Tatjana Maria entered the court for her inaugural match at Queen’s Club grappling with a crisis. At 37 years old, she had not won a match in two months, suffering nine consecutive defeats. A return to her preferred grass surface did little to reverse her fortunes; her last outing at the Birmingham Open ended in a straight-sets defeat to a player ranked No. 229.
Historic Triumph
Just over a week later, Maria emerged as the first women’s champion at Queen’s Club in 52 years, defeating Amanda Anisimova, the 8th seed and world No. 15, with a score of 6-3, 6-4. This victory marked the pinnacle of her enduring career.
A Milestone for Aging Athletes
As a qualifier, Maria made history by becoming the oldest WTA 500 champion, achieving this by overcoming four top-20 players consecutively. “This means a lot to me, as I’m 37 and I won this trophy today,” she expressed. “People have often said I might be too old, but I’m proof that you can still win big titles at my age.”
Driven by Belief
The German player, coached by her husband Charles-Édouard Maria, stated, “I’m incredibly proud of winning this tournament. My husband and I always believed I could achieve great things on the court, which motivated us to continue.”
Masterful Playstyle
Despite being ranked No. 86, Maria excels on grass—a surface tailored to her strengths, having reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2022. In an era filled with aggressive power players, she has perfected the art of “junk balling,” utilizing a diverse range of shots to unsettle her opponents.
Neutralizing Opponents
In her seven-match journey to victory, Maria successfully tackled some of the tour’s fiercest competitors, rendering them ineffective. Opponents like Australian Open champion Madison Keys and 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina experienced significant discomfort against her unique style, which relied heavily on slicing and strategic ball placement.
Looking Ahead
Following her stunning victory, Maria rushed to embrace her family, including her husband and their daughters, 11-year-old Charlotte, an aspiring player, and four-year-old Cecilia. One of Maria’s aspirations is to eventually play doubles with Charlotte on the professional circuit. “If my body allows it, I would love to continue playing and team up with her,” Maria shared, highlighting their shared journey in the sport.
