Tatjana Maria’s Remarkable Turnaround
Tatjana Maria has experienced a remarkable turnaround at Queen’s Club, reminiscent of fairy tales from her homeland of Germany. The seasoned player, known for her unique style of play, entered the tournament struggling with a nine-match losing streak and teetering on the brink of falling out of the top 100 in the world rankings. Yet, in a stunning series of matches, the 37-year-old has battled her way into the finals, most recently defeating reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys with a score of 6-3, 7-6.
“I cannot believe it, it’s a dream come true,”
Maria exclaimed following her impressive victory.
Maria’s Unique Playing Style
Maria’s playing style is characterized by her creative techniques—including slicing and producing unconventional angles—that often confound her opponents. The breezy conditions at Queen’s seemed to play to her advantage this week, enhancing her tactical approach. Surprisingly, despite her ranking of No. 86 and any nerves she might have felt prior to the match, Maria quickly established control. She comfortably held her serve and broke Keys to lead 3-1, ultimately easing through the first set with only four points dropped on serve thereafter.
Match Highlights
While Keys displayed her usual power, she struggled to effectively answer Maria’s tricky gameplay. In the early stages of the second set, a drop shot by Maria showcased her skill, leaving Keys unable to respond effectively. Although Keys managed to save a breakpoint at 30-40 with a swift 118mph serve, she failed to capitalize on her own opportunities, notably missing a key chance when she sent a simple volley into the net during the pivotal tiebreak.
Maria’s resilience was evident as she elevated her game, hitting a stunning backhand and a speedy 116mph serve, bringing her to the brink of victory. The match concluded with a mishit from Keys, sealing Maria’s place in the final. Reflecting on her journey, she remarked,
“You always have to keep going. You can never stop, no matter how it goes. I’ve had my ups and downs, but my love for tennis drives me, and moments like this make it all worthwhile.”
An Unexpected Journey
This remarkable journey was unexpected, as she was seen as a long shot to win at 159-1 odds. Maria has triumphantly taken down three players from the top 15 of the world rankings, including notable athletes like 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and former French Open finalist Karolina Muchova. Awaiting her in the final will be either Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng or American Amanda Anisimova, and it seems Maria’s fairy tale adventure at Queen’s Club is far from over.
