From Underdog to Queen: Tatjana Maria's Unforgettable Journey to the Final
Australian underdog stuns Australian Open champion in gripping match at the German's expense
German tennis sensation Tatjana Maria has been making waves in London's WTA-500 tournament, shocking the favorites and clinching a spot in the final as an unlikely contender. At 37 years old, Maria outshined the heavily favored Australian Open champion Madison Keys from the USA, securing a 6:3, 7:6 (7:3) win and sending shockwaves throughout the tennis world.
After a thrilling 90-minute match, Maria converted her second match point, jumping for joy like a teenager on the court. She was soon embraced by her family, who shared in her jubilation. "Oh my God! Seriously: I can't believe it. A dream comes true," said Maria. "I couldn't have wished for a better tournament to reach the final. I'm so, so proud."
Maria's journey has been a testament to her determination and passion. As the oldest player in a WTA-500 final, she will battle it out in the grass tournament final against either the top-seeded Zheng Qinwen from China or the American Amanda Anisimova. The tournament at the Queen's Club serves as an important indicator for the grass classic Wimbledon, set for June 30 to July 13.
Maria's previous performances in this tournament have been nothing short of impressive. Triumphing over the former Wimbledon champion Jelena Rybakina from Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals and the formidable Leylah Fernandez and Karolina Muchova earlier in the tournament further solidified her place among the top competitors. In 2022, Maria achieved her greatest success on Grand Slam level with a sensational run to the semifinals at Wimbledon.
Germany's top tennis player, Alexander Zverev, offered his support for Maria, who will climb to No. 52 in the world rankings with the final appearance and surpass Eva Lys as the German No. 1. Zverev praised Maria's grit and tenacity, expressing hope that she would add another title to her illustrious career.
Looking back at Maria's career, it's clear that her journey has been anything but ordinary. With her breakthrough at the Queen's Club, Maria continued the story of a player whose staying power and passion for the sport have earned her a special place in the competitive tennis world.
Sources:
[1] ntv.de
[2] ara/dpa/sid
Additional Insights:Tatjana Maria is a mother of two children and has been supported by her husband and coach, Charles-Edouard, throughout her career. Having won a total of three WTA singles titles throughout her career, Maria has a singles win-loss record of 687-549 as of early 2025. Despite a recent nine-match losing streak, Maria successfully overcame the obstacle by winning the Queen's Club WTA 500 title, marking a significant milestone in her career.
In the WTA-500 tournament at London's Queen's Club, Tatjana Maria's success in tennis extends beyond her age, as she outshines her opponents, including the Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and advances to the final, proving her tenacity in sports. As she prepares to face either Zheng Qinwen or Amanda Anisimova in the final, Maria's triumphant victory over Jelena Rybakina and other notable competitors have cemented her status as a top competitor in women's tennis.
