Amanda Anisimova delivered a strong performance at the Queen’s Club tournament but was ultimately defeated by German veteran Tatjana Maria in the final. The event took place recently, with Maria securing a significant victory that raised her profile ahead of Wimbledon. Despite entering the tournament without much competitive momentum, Maria’s experience helped her claim her fourth career title, with the Queen’s championship being the most prestigious.
Anisimova, ranked world number 43, made a determined run to Sunday’s final by defeating opponents Emma Navarro, Sonay Kartal, and Qinwen Zheng, but she was unable to overcome Maria’s tactical and unpredictable gameplay, losing 6-3, 6-4.
Anisimova highlights Maria’s strengths on grass courts
Maria’s display at Queen’s Club impressed many, as she became the first woman to win the tournament since it returned to the women’s calendar. Anisimova believes Maria’s style is particularly well-suited to grass courts and predicts the German player could be a significant threat at Wimbledon, which will begin soon.
Speaking during a press conference, Anisimova noted the difficulty she had adapting to Maria’s play:
“Yeah, I mean, she hits a lot of unpredictable shots over and over again, and it was really tough for me to play the way I like to play.”
She continued,
“I mean, that’s why I said that (that she could reach the Wimbledon final). I mean, she also beat Madison yesterday, so, I mean, she’s very good on the grass, very difficult to play. I mean, I can see her having a really good run there.”
Reflecting on the match, Anisimova admitted,
I guess I just wasn’t so prepared. Yeah, I wasn’t expecting to be having to run so many balls down. It was a really tough match, but credit to her for playing very well.
—Amanda Anisimova, tennis player
Maria’s previous Wimbledon success suggests potential for deep run
Although not widely recognized outside dedicated tennis circles, Tatjana Maria has shown she can compete at the highest level, particularly on the grass courts at Wimbledon. In 2022, she advanced to the semifinals, ultimately losing a tight three-set match to Ons Jabeur on Centre Court, halting her progress before a chance to face eventual champion Elena Rybakina.
Since that impressive run, Maria had struggled to win another match at Wimbledon, but her recent victory at Queen’s Club signals a possible revival in form. This year, she is expected to be a notable challenge for any seeded player drawn against her in the opening rounds of Wimbledon.
Maria’s experience and current playing style could make her one of the standout contenders this season, setting up potential upsets and an exciting tournament ahead as fans watch to see if she can replicate or surpass her 2022 performance.