Tatjana Maria stunned the tennis world by capturing the Queen’s Club Championships title, defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-4 in the final and knocking out four top 20 players along the way, including reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the semifinals. Following this impressive run, Amanda Anisimova expressed strong support for Maria’s potential to reach the Wimbledon final, praising her unpredictable style and grass-court prowess.
Maria’s Remarkable Career Milestone at 37
At 37 years old, Tatjana Maria became the oldest player to win a WTA Tour title since Serena Williams, who triumphed at the 2020 ASB Classic at age 38. The Queen’s Club Championships marks the biggest title of Maria’s career, surpassing her previous victories at the Copa Colsanitas in 2022 and 2023 and the 2018 Mallorca Open; all prior titles were at a lower tier than the 500 category event in London.
Maria’s best Grand Slam showing came last year at Wimbledon, where she reached the semifinals. Anisimova, a quarterfinalist at the same event in 2022, acknowledged Maria’s threat on grass and her difficulty to play against.
“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. I mean, that’s why I said that (Maria 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.”
—Amanda Anisimova, Tennis Player
Despite Maria’s strong 2022 Wimbledon run, her subsequent performances at the All England Club have been challenging. She fell in the first rounds of 2023 to Sorana Cirstea and the following year to Katie Boulter. Her win at Queen’s improved her undefeated record in finals to 4-0, with the impressive list of top 20 players defeated including Karolina Muchova, Elena Rybakina, Keys, and Anisimova herself.
The Influence of Family and Role Models on Tatjana Maria’s Tennis Journey
Tatjana Maria’s passion for tennis extends to her family; her 11-year-old daughter, Charlotte, already competes at the junior level with her own coach to maintain a balance between parental support and professional guidance. After her Queen’s win, Maria shared insights on her parenting approach, drawing inspiration from fellow American star Coco Gauff and her supportive family environment.
“Charlotte has her own coach now because we try also to split it a little bit to be really…our goal would be…we are really parents for her, mom and dad, and she has her team.”
—Tatjana Maria, Tennis Player
Maria expressed appreciation for the organization and support system that allows her to be both a parent and a guide, hoping to emulate Gauff’s successful parental setup.
“It’s a little bit example of Coco Gauff also. We would like to do the same style, to be the parents at the end of the day. So, yeah, I mean, it’s a lot of organization, let’s say, but it’s super nice.”
—Tatjana Maria, Tennis Player
Coco Gauff recently made headlines by winning the French Open, defeating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to become the youngest American champion at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2002 and the first U.S. winner there since 2015. This victory added to Gauff’s momentum after she secured the 2024 WTA Finals, further highlighting the high standards of modern women’s tennis.
Upcoming Grass-Court Showdowns Leading to Wimbledon
This season’s grass-court tournaments, including the Berlin Open, feature key players like Gauff and Sabalenka preparing for Wimbledon. Gauff has yet to advance beyond the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, while Sabalenka has reached the semifinals twice. Their ongoing rivalry could set up an exciting clash if both make it to the final rounds at Berlin, underscoring the competitive depth on grass this year.
Significance of Maria’s Queen’s Club Title for Wimbledon Prospects
Maria’s striking victory at Queen’s and her consistent success against top-ranked players this season provide a powerful foundation for her quest to excel at Wimbledon again. Amanda Anisimova’s endorsement of Maria’s potential to reach the Wimbledon final reinforces the narrative of Maria as a formidable opponent on grass. This breakthrough may signal a deeper run than expected at the prestigious Grand Slam, adding intrigue to the upcoming tournament.
With her refined strategy, experienced shot-making, and resilience, Maria is positioned as a serious contender who could shake up the draw. Her progress will be closely watched as Wimbledon approaches, potentially inspiring veteran players to challenge younger stars and enrich the competitive landscape of women’s tennis.