In a landmark week at the Queen’s Club, where the WTA Tour returned following a 52-year absence, a historic champion was crowned in Tatjana Maria. The German world No. 86 came through qualifying to reach the main draw and beat four top-20 players to lift the trophy, including Amanda Anisimova in Sunday’s final.
Aged 37, Maria is the oldest champion in WTA 500 tournament history. A mother of two, the former Wimbledon semi-finalist has been watched on by her daughters throughout the week and raced off to embrace them after capping off a fairytale week by beating the No. 8 seed 6-3 6-4.
When Maria came to the Queen’s Club to enter the qualifying event last week, she had not beaten anyone in two months and was on a nine-match losing streak. But, thanks to some big serving and clever slicing, the 37-year-old has now put together seven wins in a row to be crowned the champion in the first WTA event here since 1973.
The stands on Andy Murray Arena were packed for the women’s singles final and the fans were loving every second. Spectators cried out in disbelief as Maria kept Anisimova’s overheads in play and refused to back down, drawing out errors from the No. 8 seed.
And they erupted as Maria sealed victory when Anisimova sent a forehand wide on championship point. The qualifier put her hands over her mouth in disbelief before raising both hands to the sky and pumping her fists.
After the handshakes, Maria raced straight over to her box and embraced her 11-year-old daughter before leaning into a pram to be reunited with her youngest.
Anisimova paid tribute to the world No. 86 and her family after finishing runner-up. “I would like to congratulate Tatjana, what an incredible week for you, it’s so special, she said.
“Congratulations to you and your beautiful family. It’s really, really incredible to see you playing at this level, to have your whole family and team here with you, super special to witness it, congratulations.”
An emotional Maria then sent a special message to her husband – who is also her coach – and their two daughters. The newly crowned champion said: “Of course my family, my team.
“Today I have to say something because it’s Father’s Day and my husband, he’s really really special, he’s an amazing husband, coach, he does everything.
“I mean, thank you so much for believing all the time in me, it doesn’t matter how it goes, we always stick together, I think that’s the most important. Of course to our beautiful girls, Charlotte and Cece, I love you both, you are amazing.”
It’s not the first time Maria has gone on a run on the British grass. Three years ago, she stormed into the Wimbledon semi-final while ranked outside of the top 100.
But the tours did not offer ranking points at Wimbledon that year, as it came when Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing, and Maria never truly reaped the rewards for her efforts. Now, she is set to shoot back up into the world’s top 50.