Australian underdog defies Australian Open champion in surprising turn of events
Title: Tatjana Maria's Dream Run: A Fairy Tale in London
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link
German tennis star Tatjana Maria has been spinning her magic on the courts, making it all the way to the final in London's WTA 500 tournament for the very first time in her career. This 37-year-old powerhouse from Stuttgart has been causing waves by ousting the heavyweight favorites.
With her semifinal win against US Open champion Madison Keys with scores of 6:3, 7:6 (7:3), the fairy tale continues for Maria. The final whistle was blown after 90 minutes, and with her second match point secured, the mother of two leapfrogged for joy like a young prodigy, embracing her family in a heartwarming moment.
"Oh, my God! I can't believe it. A dream comes true," Maria declared. "I couldn't have wished for a better tournament to reach the final. I'm so, so proud."
Sports First Grass Title of Career? Zverev Battles His Way to the Final Against the Boogeyman
Now, at 37 years and 312 days, Maria makes history as the oldest player in a WTA 500 final. In the grass tournament final, Maria will face either the top-seeded Chinese player Zheng Qinwen or American Amanda Anisimova. The upcoming grass tournament at the Queen's Club serves as an integral indicator for the grass classic, Wimbledon (June 30 - July 13). With her possible top ranking of No. 52 in the world, Maria will surpass Eva Lys as the top-ranked German player.
Maria has a near-unblemished final record to boot – victory in Mallorca (2018) and twice in Bogota (2022, 2023). In the earlier rounds of this tournament, Maria showcased her prowess as an underdog, single-handedly dispatching the likes of Jelena Rybakina, Leylah Fernandez, and Karolina Muchova. Her crowning achievement at the Grand Slam level arrived in 2022, where she made an impressive run to the Wimbledon semifinals.
Top German tennis player Alexander Zverev, who will compete in the final in Stuttgart Sunday, acknowledged Maria's incredible feat. "I wish her all the best, of course. I think she hasn't won a tournament in a long time. So it would be nice to see her do it again, especially at her age. She always has her family, her daughters with her. I think that's great."
Insights:- Victoria Azarenka, a former world No. 1, competes alongside Maria in the WTA Tour.- Maria's daughters, Charlotte and Cecilia, have already begun their foray into the world of tennis.
Background
- Maria entered professional tennis in 2000 and has achieved a career-high rank of World No. 46.
- She has claimed 4 WTA singles and 4 doubles titles and reached the Wimbledon semifinals at one point.
- Her husband, Charles Edouard Maria, serves as her coach and their two daughters, Charlotte and Cecilia, are also tennis enthusiasts.
Recent Success
- After a significant slump of seven consecutive losses, Maria conquered the WTA 500 final at the Queen's Club in 2025.
- Defeating 8th seed Amanda Anisimova (World No. 15), she claimed the prize by a score of 6-3, 6-4.
- On the route to the final, Maria bested the Australian Open champion Madison Keys and other accomplished players.
Future Competition
- Facing strong opposition from high-ranked players, Maria will be a force to reckon with in upcoming grass-court events en route to Wimbledon.
- Her capacity to challenge and defeat top-seeded competitors, such as Keys, Rybakina, and Anisimova, assures a grueling forward march in future events.
- Tatjana Maria's extraordinary run in the WTA 500 tournament highlights her continued success in tennis, as she continues to cause upsets against heavyweight favorites in sports.
- In the upcoming grass court events leading up to Wimbledon, keep an eye on Maria, who has proven her prowess in tennis, having recently defeated top-seeded players like Keys, Rybakina, and Anisimova.
