Tatjana Maria surprised a good week after her first tournament victory on the WTA Tour at the start of the Wimbledon Tournament. The 30-year-old defeated Elina Svitolina (Ukraine), fifth in the world rankings, but remained true to herself even at the moment of her triumph.
By Ulrike Weinrich from Mallorca
The fact that special times have dawned for Tatjana Maria was already shown by a glance at the list of interview requests. The New York Times had sought an exclusive interview with the 57th World Rankings. And the newspaper, which is also highly regarded in tennis circles, was given the desired date with Maria on Monday evening at 10.20 pm in room 4.
Earlier, after the well-earned shower and a massage, she had already told the German media representatives how good this 7:6 (7:3), 4:6, 6:1 victory against Svitolina felt. It was the first success of the native Swabian against an opponent from the illustrious circle of the Top 5.
And under difficult conditions, if you will. Daughter Charlotte (4) had to stay outside, because unlike other tournaments in Wimbledon only children from the age of five are allowed on the courts. At 8 pm, however, Tatjana Maria and her husband Charles, who is also their coach, had a small problem because the support of the pros’ offspring closed down the Scots.
“The cousin then had to stay outside with Charlotte and wait,” reported the German number three about the accompanying circumstances, which could not prevent her from one of her greatest successes. However, at the Mallorca Open in Santa Ponsa a week earlier, “Tadde” had already hinted at what she was able to do on grass.
Her first tournament victory was against Anastasija Sevastova (Latvia) in the final, who is ranked 37 places ahead of her and had travelled to Sun Island as defending champion. Maria already noticed in Wimbledon that the coup from Mallorca could look like a can opener.
“Personally, the victory in Mallorca hasn’t changed much. But the other players see you a little differently and have more respect. I think it helped me against Svitolina,” said Maria, who made the Ukrainian almost desperate with her cut balls (often also with her forehand).
Symptomatic of the match ball, which was preceded by a classic attack ball of the outsider with the slice backhand. Maria and the Romanian Monica Niculescu form a pleasant contrast to the power players of the current generation. And with her fine little hand she obviously annoys one or the other opponent beastly. “Sometimes I realize that even before we go to the square. I know that many don’t like my game, it’s just different from the normal one,” Maria said.
In Mallorca in particular, she has realised that her unusual approach “does not suit everyone”. There are many moments of surprise when Maria stands on the court and defuses the “bullets” of her opponents. Many people’s “hit-on” tactics often prove to be a boomerang against the lively Florida-based Bad Saulgauer.
Until mid-June, Maria’s previous season had significantly more shade than light. 15 defeats were only three victories on the WTA Tour. But the research of causes did not get out of hand. “I was never really frustrated. Events came together that didn’t really drag me down. I’ve always seen there’s a reason, but if I keep working on it, it’ll change at some point,” Maria described the difficult phase in which she led the German team into the Fed Cup semi-finals.
The 30-year-old rests in herself, you can tell. Which is also because she knows how to classify things. Both positive and negative. “It was nice to win the title in Mallorca, of course, but for me my family is the most important thing. The most important thing is that we travel together, and my daughter is fine.” Sugar-sweet Charlotte is already playing tennis: “If she sees me winning, it’s nice for everyone,” says Maria.
Number 57 in the ranking knows only too well how important it is to enjoy happy moments. About ten years ago, doctors discovered a life-threatening thrombosis in her leg by chance. This resulted in surgical procedures and several months of rehabilitation. In the same year her father, Heinrich Malek, a former Polish national handball player, died.
Tatjana Maria questioned her tennis career – but found her great love through her. “I probably wouldn’t have survived without Charles,” she once said about dealing with the blows of fate. Her husband and coach also sat in the pits on Monday evening.
Knowing that his wife clearly senses the much quoted Wimbledon myth. “It’s one of my favorite tournaments. It’s unbelievable when you get to the facility. The feeling is completely different from other events. You see green everywhere and simply feel good,” Maria reported, who also likes to just sit on the lawn – and enjoys it.
On Wednesday the former Stuttgart finalist Kristina Mladenovic (France) awaits the German. Let’s hope it’s not an evening match and the childcare facility on Church Road is still open – because: Daughter Charlotte will celebrate her fifth birthday, which is so relevant for Wimbledon, on December 20.
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